1. Political Parties, Electoral College, Primaries, and Debates Global Studies/Civics Brahe, Cornell, Wimberly History of Voting

2. Political Parties Political Party: group of people with common principles seeking to control the gov’t in order to create public policies and programs Major Parties: ▫ Republicans  also known as the Conservatives, Grand Ole Party (GOP), “right- wing”  symbolized by the elephant and the color red ▫ Democrats  also known as the Liberals, “left-wing”  symbolized by the donkey and the color blue Minor Parties ▫ Lee Nader, famous for running as a Minor Party summed up the chances of the Minors vs the Majors by saying the following; “The minors taking on the majors would be like a person trying to climb a mountain with a greased rope.”

3. Why a Two-Party System History – Naturally developed during George Washington’s Presidency (even though he tried to avoid them) between his advisors on his cabinet: Federalists and the Anti-Federalists (later, “Democrat-Republicans) Electoral College – modifications made after election of 1800 (issue with President/Vice-President tying in the vote – created a “ticket”/team with the 12th amendment) ▫ Political Parties nominate people for the positions of President and Vice-President creating a “team” ▫ State’s electors cast their ballots for the candidates won by their state after the popular vote of the citizens

4. Why Minor Parties are Important!  Minor parties come up with innovations – new ideas. Major Parties often steal them and call them their own.  Minor parties criticize the Majors and force them to take a stance on controversial issues.  Minor parties can have an impact in another way. A strong third-party candidacy can play a decisive role--- often a “spoiler role”--- in an election.  Election of 1912 is a prime example! The Progressive Party spoiled any chance of a Republican victory!

5. Purpose of Primaries Cast votes to help determine who will represent a political party in the general election

6. History of the System Early 20 th Century (Progressive Era) ▫Frustration at elections being control by elite few ▫New system created in an attempt to give more power and control to average voters Believed primaries would cause candidates to pay attention to issues the public considered important Goal: alleviate corruption in American politics

7. Types of Primaries Closed Primary ▫registered voters affiliated with a party go to the polls to cast a vote for one candidate within that party ▫(only Republicans can vote for Republicans and Democrats for Democrats) ▫Independent voters (opt not to choose a party, but are registered voters) usually aren't allowed to cast a ballot Open Primary (Wisconsin) ▫voter can cast his or her ballot for either party (but only one) ▫voter must usually choose a party to vote for by making a public statement at the polling station  voter will tell the election volunteer which party he/she chooses  will then receive a ballot containing the candidates for that party ▫some open primaries allow voters to choose which party's candidate to vote for privately in the polling booth (WI)

8. Delegates to National Convention To receive the nomination at the National Convention, candidate has to win delegates Delegates assigned in 2 ways: ▫Proportional ▫Winner-takes-all GOP tends to lean toward Winner-takes-all (Wisconsin) but Democratic primaries are almost exclusively proportional Delegates are usually people who are involved in their state's politics ▫volunteers, local party chairs or other interested citizens ▫states also offer uncommitted delegates, aka super delegates, usually elected officials from the state (can pledge or remain uncommitted until convention)

9. Remember the areas of focus for our campaigns Foreign: policies involving other countries Domestic: Policies affecting laws/rules within the United States borders Social: issues affecting society, culture, values, etc. – can be world issues or local issues

10. NomineeBarack ObamaMitt Romney PartyDemocraticRepublican Electoral vote332206 Popular vote65,910,43760,932,795[2 Percentage51.1%47.2% # of States carried 26 + DC24 2012 Election Results