Chapter 9.2 Organization of American Political Parties

National Party Organization The goal that unites a party’s national, state and local organizations is to help the party win as many offices as possible. The goal that unites a party’s national, state and local organizations is to help the party win as many offices as possible. Each party has a national committee made up of representatives from every state. It raises funds for presidential elections and organizes the party’s national convention. A national party chairperson runs the committee. Each party has a national committee made up of representatives from every state. It raises funds for presidential elections and organizes the party’s national convention. A national party chairperson runs the committee.

continued At the national convention, party delegates from all states write the platform and nominate candidates for president and vice president. Each party chooses delegates in primary elections and caucuses, or meetings, of state and local party organizations. At the national convention, party delegates from all states write the platform and nominate candidates for president and vice president. Each party chooses delegates in primary elections and caucuses, or meetings, of state and local party organizations.

continued Historically, national conventions were suspenseful. Today, primary elections generally decide the nominations before the conventions take place. Historically, national conventions were suspenseful. Today, primary elections generally decide the nominations before the conventions take place. Both parties also have House and Senate campaign committees made up of members of Congress. They work to elect party members as senators and representatives. Both parties also have House and Senate campaign committees made up of members of Congress. They work to elect party members as senators and representatives.

State and Local Organization Each party has 50 state organizations that work to elect their party’s candidates for national office. Each party has 50 state organizations that work to elect their party’s candidates for national office. Local party organizations consist of city, town and county committees. They include the party’s elected officials. Local party organizations consist of city, town and county committees. They include the party’s elected officials.

continued Each city or county is divided into election districts or precincts. A precinct is a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters. It may be an entire small town or part of a large city. All voters in a precinct use the same voting place. Each city or county is divided into election districts or precincts. A precinct is a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters. It may be an entire small town or part of a large city. All voters in a precinct use the same voting place. A precinct captain organizes other party volunteers and encourages people to vote. A precinct captain organizes other party volunteers and encourages people to vote.

continued Several adjoining precincts make up a ward. A volunteer represents the ward at the party’s county committee. Several adjoining precincts make up a ward. A volunteer represents the ward at the party’s county committee. Counties are the largest political units in a state. A county chairperson runs the county committee and has great power if the county is large. Counties are the largest political units in a state. A county chairperson runs the county committee and has great power if the county is large.

continued Local party people build support at the “grassroots” level. Local leaders must know how their neighbors feel about issues important to them. At election time they must “deliver the vote” for party candidates at every level. Local party people build support at the “grassroots” level. Local leaders must know how their neighbors feel about issues important to them. At election time they must “deliver the vote” for party candidates at every level.

continued In the past, some local party organizations became so powerful that they were called political machines. In the 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader, “Boss” Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks. In the past, some local party organizations became so powerful that they were called political machines. In the 1800s and early 1900s, the Tammany Hall organization ruled New York City. Its leader, “Boss” Tweed, grew rich from bribes and kickbacks.

continued At a time when no social service agencies existed, political machines provided needy citizens with jobs, food and other services in return for votes. At a time when no social service agencies existed, political machines provided needy citizens with jobs, food and other services in return for votes. Membership in a political party is not required, but it offers a way for citizens to be involved in politics. The only duty is to vote. Members can choose to contribute money, do volunteer work, or help with election campaigns. Membership in a political party is not required, but it offers a way for citizens to be involved in politics. The only duty is to vote. Members can choose to contribute money, do volunteer work, or help with election campaigns.