Citizen Responsibilities VOTING & POLITICAL PARTIES

Civic Life Obeying Laws –We must obey laws to protect ourselves and society Example: Don’t text and DriveDon’t text and Drive Pay Taxes –Our tax money goes to fund public services such as: Education Police and Fire Protection Upkeep of infrastructure (highways, community water and sewage services, etc.) Jury Duty –If you would want a fair trial if you were accused on a crime, you have to be willing to give one to someone else with your service. Video explanation

Voting –If you don’t vote you have no right to complain –If everyone who refused to participate actually voted, the outcome of elections would be different. Why you should vote Public Service –Volunteer in your community, give back Coaching a kids team in parks and rec Working at a local animal shelter Working at a homeless shelter Tutoring for free at an elementary school Simply, taking a day each week to visit the elderly at an assisted living home

Serving in the military –Helps protect our nation and give you a sense of pride for doing it God bless our troops! Be informed about current issues –Understand what’s going on in the world around you. –Research issues in order to be able to understand and determine any biased information. Respect the opinions of others –To truly comprehend the freedom of speech, we have to realize we will hear other people saying what we don’t like –To preserve the freedom of speech, we have to respect each other’s opinions

At first, out nation wasn’t very nice about allowing everyone to vote, but that has changed over the years… –Video recapVideo recap 15 th Amendment –States cannot use race, color, or previous condition of servitude to determine who can vote 19 th Amendment –States cannot require people to be male to vote (a.k.a. women can vote) 24 th Amendment –States cannot use the payment of taxes to determine who can vote 26 th Amendment –States cannot require people to be older than 18 to vote How the right to vote has been extended throughout the history of the U.S.

How states decide who can vote…

Influences on Voter Behavior Sociological Factors Income Religion Occupation Ethnicity Education Region Gender Family Age Psychological Factors Party identification Perception of candidates Perception of issues

What influences people’s opinions on the issues? The media are our most important sources of political information. However, they all put their own ‘spin’ on the information.

The Mass Media The media are our most important sources of political information The Mass Media Mass Media television radio Other media Internet videocassettes audiocassettes films books newspapers magazines

Those who carry our opinions to our representatives at the state and national levels… Lobbyists & Interest groups Lobbying – Activities where a group puts pressure on legislators to support the beliefs of the group –Lobbyists Send articles, reports, and other information regarding their groups to legislators at the state and local levels Testify before legislative committees Encourage “grass roots” campaigning by the public Use the media to gain support Make campaign contributions Write speeches for legislators Draft legislation they want passed and submit it to legislators

Laws and rules that govern Lobbyists Federal Regulation and Lobbying Act 1946 Lobbying Disclosure Act, 1995 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 2010 Lobbyists must register with the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate Lobbyists still have to register, but also have to provide the following information: Basic information (name, address, etc.) Describe lobbying activities Give information about their clients Give a detailed description of lobbying activities in a semi- annual report Case ruled on by the Supreme Court of the United States The Supreme Court struck down the Montana Law limiting campaign contributions made by corporations and unions. Therefore, corporations and Unions can contribute as much as they wish to campaigns. Supreme Court called out by President Obama…

Interest Groups –Try to influence the behavior of political parties/legislators by Keeping close ties with the party Getting members of their group active in the political party Giving candidates money through PACs (Political Action Committee) Explained…

Political Parties

Functions of Political Parties FunctionExplanation Nominate CandidatesSelect and gain support for candidates for office Inform and inspire votersInform people about and stimulate interest in public affairs Ensure candidate qualityTry to ensure that candidates and officeholders are qualified and of good character Help governOperate on partisan lines in Congress and State legislatures Act as watchdogsObserve and criticize the operation of government, especially officials of the other party

Factors Behind the Two-Party System American Two-Party System HistoryTradition Two parties arose during the ratification of the Constitution That’s the way it’s always been! Consensus Elections Americans generally agree key matters Single-member districts and election law discourage minor parties

Political Parties in Control of the Executive Branch throughout U.S. History Federalists Anti Federalist; Democrats Republicans Democrats Republicans Democrats Republicans Democrats Republicans Democrats Republicans Democrats

The Minor Parties Ideological Parties Based on certain social, economic, or political ideas. Not powerful, but long- lasting Single-Issue Parties Focus on one public policy matter Fade away once the issue has been resolved Economic Protest Parties Appear during tough financial times Criticize the economic actions & plans of the major parties Splinter Parties Break away from a major party Usually have a strong leader who lost a major party’s nomination

Party Organization National Party MachineryBasic Components of the Party National Convention National Committee National Chairperson Congressional Campaign Committees Party Organization Party in the electorate Party in the government

Political Parties throughout U.S. History First Political Parties: –______________________________________________________________ Whig stand on power of the central gov’t –______________________________________________________________ Democratic Republican stand on power of the central gov’t –______________________________________________________________ Democratic President who changed the stand of that party on government power –______________________________________________________________ Republican President who changed the stand of that party on government power –______________________________________________________________