1. Political Parties
Party On, Garth!

2. Political Party
Definition—group of people with common interests who organize to win elections and influence government policies
Functions:
Recruit and nominate candidates
Inform and activate supporters, allowing citizens to participate in the process
Dispense patronage, rewarding supporters
Govern, or control the government
Act as a watchdog over the party in power

3. OUR Two-Party System
Federalists v. Anti-Federalists (Constitutional Convention)
Federalists v. Democrat-Republicans (controlled the government beginning w/ Jefferson in 1800 and until Jackson in 1828)
Democrats (eventually split by the 1850s due to debate over slavery) v. National Republicans, or Whigs
Republicans (anti-slavery, and would control government from end of Civil War until Great Depression) v. Democrats
After FDR, pendulum has shifted back and forth, with Democrats being in control a majority of the time

4. Minor Parties
Though a two-party system, Third Parties have existed and played an important role in our government since the early days of our country.
Ex. Liberty Party, Free Soil Party, Communist Party, Bull Moose Party, Populist Party, American Independent Party, Reform Party, Green Party

5. Party Organization

6. Nominating Candidates
4 Methods
Caucus—meetings are held to choose candidates, beginning at the local level
19 states use this today
Nominating convention—delegates are sent to choose candidates
States began going away with this due to the influence of powerful bosses
Primary Elections (next slide)
Petition—voters sign to put a candidate on the ballot

7. Primary Elections Direct primary—election within the party
Closed primary—only that party’s members can vote
Open primary—all voters may participate, even if they do not belong to the party
States conduct primary elections
Plurality v. Runoff
Most states require only a plurality (more than anyone else, but NOT majority)
Others will conduct a runoff (two leading vote-getters compete to decide the winner)

8. Presidential Nominations
Nominating conventions used to take on a greater role in determining the presidential candidates.
However, the national conventions have virtually become rubber stamps due to the primary process.
Candidates compete in primaries from January to June, with the conventions held in late summer.
Candidates are usually determined well before the convention begins, unless a race is extremely close.
One important task of the national convention is the writing of the party’s platform, or a statement of its principles, beliefs, and positions on important issues.