Political Parties Party On, Garth!

Political Party Definition—group of people with common interests who organize to win elections and influence government policies Functions: Recruit and nominate candidates Inform and activate supporters, allowing citizens to participate in the process Dispense patronage, rewarding supporters Govern, or control the government Act as a watchdog over the party in power

OUR Two-Party System Federalists v. Anti-Federalists (Constitutional Convention) Federalists v. Democrat-Republicans (controlled the government beginning w/ Jefferson in 1800 and until Jackson in 1828) Democrats (eventually split by the 1850s due to debate over slavery) v. National Republicans, or Whigs Republicans (anti-slavery, and would control government from end of Civil War until Great Depression) v. Democrats After FDR, pendulum has shifted back and forth, with Democrats being in control a majority of the time

Minor Parties Though a two-party system, Third Parties have existed and played an important role in our government since the early days of our country. Ex. Liberty Party, Free Soil Party, Communist Party, Bull Moose Party, Populist Party, American Independent Party, Reform Party, Green Party

Party Organization

Nominating Candidates 4 Methods Caucus—meetings are held to choose candidates, beginning at the local level 19 states use this today Nominating convention—delegates are sent to choose candidates States began going away with this due to the influence of powerful bosses Primary Elections (next slide) Petition—voters sign to put a candidate on the ballot

Primary Elections Direct primary—election within the party Closed primary—only that party’s members can vote Open primary—all voters may participate, even if they do not belong to the party States conduct primary elections Plurality v. Runoff Most states require only a plurality (more than anyone else, but NOT majority) Others will conduct a runoff (two leading vote-getters compete to decide the winner)

Presidential Nominations Nominating conventions used to take on a greater role in determining the presidential candidates. However, the national conventions have virtually become rubber stamps due to the primary process. Candidates compete in primaries from January to June, with the conventions held in late summer. Candidates are usually determined well before the convention begins, unless a race is extremely close. One important task of the national convention is the writing of the party’s platform, or a statement of its principles, beliefs, and positions on important issues.