1. Political Parties
Political parties have platforms which are made up of various planks
Statements of belief on issues, determined by party conventions

2. Parties align on a spectrum with two extremes:
Liberal (left) (48%)
Moderate
Conservative (right) (39%)
% leaning in 2016

3. Liberals:
Believe government should promote health, education and justice
Full equality
Importance of individual freedoms

4. Conservatives Limited government intervention
Support traditional family values
Support government in protecting moral lifestyles

5. Republican Party (GOP)
Represented by color Red
Symbol of the elephant
More white, male, educated, religious
Rural and suburban

6. Democratic Party Represented by the color Blue Symbol of the Donkey
More female, minorities, and young people
Big cities; coasts

7. Minor Parties: Green Party Very liberal Focused on environmental
Pro alternative energy
More than democratic party

8. Libertarian Party Third largest political party
No government intervention at all
Oppose regulating wages, prices, guns, marriage, abortion, media, etc.
Military only exists to respond to aggression

9. Constitution Party Very conservative
Wants to abolish most federal taxes
Make English the official language
End social programs (welfare)
Oppose abortion, same-sex marriage, limit immigration, etc.

10. Independents Do not identify with any particular party
More independents than what there has been in the last 75 years
About 40% independent
32% democrat 23% republican….as of 2014
Primaries:
Democratic congressional and state primaries: mixed
Republican congressional and state primaries: mixed
Democratic Presidential primary: mixed
Republican Presidential primary: mixed
Primary Type Definitions
Registration:
Voters may or may not choose to affiliate with a political party, however, affiliation with a party is required to vote in primary elections.
38% of Iowa voters are not affiliated with a political party.
Details of voting in congressional and state primary elections:
Voters must be registered with a party in order to vote in a primary or caucus, but voters are allowed to change affiliation before the primary election or at the polls on primary day.