LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS… Not official parts of the United States government, but these institutions are instrumental in connecting citizens with the policymaking institutions (parties, elections, media, interest groups) PART #1: Political parties, Elections, Voting

Figure 1.3 The Policymaking System

POLITICAL PARTIES

What is a Political Party? An organized effort from office holders, candidates and voters to gain and exercise power through the electoral process

The Constitution’s Views on Political Parties… Not factored into the original design of the government. Why a big problem?

George Washington’s Views on Political Parties

Major Functions of Parties  Select candidates  Formulate & implement policy (platform)  Mobilization of voters (linkage function)  Organize government (Congress)  Monitor the opposing party (watchdog)

Changes in Party Preference…  Realignment Dramatic shifts in party preference The minor party becomes the major party Often times comes as a result of a CRITICAL ELECTION  Secular realignment Gradual regional changes in party preference

What does a realignment look like?

Party Demographics Activity Political Socialization: the process by which an individual acquires their political orientation 1.COMPLETE THE 10 OBSERVATIONS 2.Complete the questions on the back. 3.List 4 reasons why you think political parties might not be as influential today as 100 years ago.

2012 Voting Demographics

Do men and women think differently about political issues?

Who identifies as a Democrat? A Republican?

Factors that Influence Party Selection (#1 voting indicator) Family Income The most & least educated tend to be Democratic Women gravitate towards the Democratic party Religion – Protestant (R), Jewish (D), Catholic (D & R) Race – African-Americans and Hispanics tend to be Democratic

William “Boss” Tweed : Domination of the political machine

Trend: Power of the Parties have declined (dealignment)  Candidates raise most of their own $  Development of media & interest groups  Elections and social services have changed Ballot printing, other elections duties (counting) handled by government instead of parties Roosevelt’s New Deal put social services in hands of government, not parties Direct Primary: Voters decided who will run Civil Service Laws: Government jobs stress MERIT  Candidate-centered politics Shift to focus on candidates, their issues and character rather than on party affiliation Leads to more TICKET SPLITTING Voting for multiple parties

How has the two-party system developed? “The Era of Good Feelings” A THIRD PARTY has never won a Presidential election. A term used to describe a party other than the Democrats & Republicans.

Types of 3 rd Parties Single Issue – Free Soil Party Ideological – Communist Splinter – Bull Moose Economic – Populist party How would you classify the ones you looked at on Friday?

Trend: Voter support for 3 rd parties has greatly declined over the last 20 years

Why Aren’t 3 rd Parties More Successful in the US?  Rules written by D’s & R’s  Winner take all system  Difficult to get on the ballot  Major finance issues  You need to earn 5%of the vote in the previous election to qualify for federal funding

So What Value Do Third Parties Have? (why do they even bother) Bring attention to ignored issues Winning is unlikely, but the potential to influence election outcomes exist – Perot in 1992 – Nader in 2000

VOTING Voting is the most common form of CONVENTIONAL political participation Conventional: what we expect good citizens to do Unconventional: legal, but sometimes seen as inappropriate

Who Is Most Likely to Vote… Wealthy (over $65,000) College graduates Whites vote more than minorities Women vote more than men Older citizens vote more than younger Those interested in politics vote

How has the racial and ethnic composition of voters changed?

Why Don’t Americans Vote? Too busy/other commitments Lack of interest Low political efficacy Difficulty in registration Number of elections – Voter fatigue Weakened political parties

Why don’t people vote? Voters often cite VOTER FATIGUE & low POLITICAL EFFICACY

How Can We Increase Voter Turnout? Make Election Day a national holiday Allow early voting to take place Allow for mail and internet voting Make registration easier – National Voter Registration Act (1993)- “Motor/Voter Act” – Allow same day registration – Automatic registration at age 18 Modernize the ballot – Help American Vote Act (HAVA) -2001

2000 Presidential Election

Amendments Dealing With Voting… 15 th : (1870) – removed racial barriers to voting 17 th : (1913) – allowed for the direct election of US Senators 19 th : (1920) – removed gender barriers for voting 24 th : (1964) – eliminates use of the poll tax 26 th : (1971) – voting age dropped to 18

States must abide by federal regulations (race, gender, age) but set a majority of their own guidelines

ELECTIONS…

Purposes of Elections:  Involve the people  Fill public offices

Primary v. General Elections  Primary Elections: who will run for office?  Closed:  Only registered party members vote  Open:  Voters pick a party’s primary to vote in  Blanket:  Voters can alternate between different parties for different offices  General Elections: Who will fill the office?

Primaries: Similarities & Differences Between the Parties Both parties use primaries to award delegates (people pledged to support a particular candidate) to the National Convention Republicans: winner take all Democrats: – Proportional – Use of SUPERDELEGATES Usually a national democratic party leader that can offset the extreme elements within the party

Special Elections...  Initiative: Voters propose legislation  Referendum: Voters approve legislation  Recall: Politicians can be removed