1. Chapter 12 & 13
Political Parties and
Elections

2. What is a Political Party?
A political party is an organized effort by office holders, candidates, activists, and voters to pursue common interests by gaining and exercising power within the government. (Pg. 388)
The goal is to win office and exercise power.

3. Roots of the Two-Party System
The Development of Political Parties,
Washington’s warning
Adam’s and the Federalist V.S. Jefferson and the Democratic-Republicans
Parties used more as tool to win office
Jacksonian Democracy,
Parties fade in importance
Party growth at state level with population growth.
1st National presidential nomination convention
Whig Party

4. Roots of the Two-Party System
The Golden Age,
From 1860 to this day, two party system: Republicans and Democrats.
Political Machine: party organization that uses incentives such as jobs and favors to win votes. Think expansion of political party power!
Modern Era
Candidate- Centered Politics: Politics that focus on the candidates, their particular issues, and character rather than party affiliation.

5. Political Platforms

6. Political Party Activities
Run for office
Raising money
Mobilizing support
Voting
Parties in Congress – influence law making.
Parties in the Judiciary – influence Constitution interpretation.
Presidential Party – role as head of party.
Parties in State Governments
Governmental Influences

7. Why not a Third Party?
Winner-take-all system over proportional representation.
Electoral College requires 270 votes (a majority) of the 538 available votes to win office.
Money and fundraising
Absorption – if a third-party gains too much notoriety they can be absorbed by the other two parties.

8. Function of Elections
Elections serve as another linkage institution between the people and their government
Most basic form of political participation
Give citizens the opportunity to change their leaders without overthrowing them
Hold political leaders responsible to the people
Legitimize government power and authority
Winner gets a mandate to govern

9. Guidelines for Elections
Elections are generally held every 2 years in the US
House of Reps re-elected every 2 years
1/3 of the Senate every 2 years
The President every 4 years
Plurality v. Majority
Plurality = Most votes
Majority = 51% of the votes.
Constitution defines elections broadly
The electoral college is the exception
Most election law is determined by individual states not the national government

10. Types of Elections Primary Elections (Within the party)
Voters decide which candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election.
Open, closed, runoff primaries
Crossover Voting- participating in primary election of a party with which the voter is not affiliated.
General Elections (Party vs Party)
Voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public office.
Ballot Measures
Initiative and referendum allow voters to enact public policy at the state level.

11. Presidential Elections
Held every 4 years.
50 separate state election.
National Conventions winners square off!
Electing National Convention Delegates
Winner-take-all primary
Proportional representation primary
Caucus

12. The Electoral College
The Twelfth Amendment (Amendment XII) to the United States Constitution provides the procedure for electing the President and Vice President. It replaced the procedure provided in Article II, Section 1, Clause 3, by which the Electoral College originally functioned.
270 of 538 Electoral votes to win presidency
Electoral votes are based on the number of representatives congress. (2 senators + number of reps in the house)
The District of Columbia is accorded 3 electoral votes

13. The Electoral College The Electoral College is fluid (it changes)
Reapportionment - The reallocation of the number of seats in the House of Representatives after each decennial census

14. Electoral College Pros and Cons
It insures the states play a role in the election of the president.
It makes candidates spend time campaigning in both big cities and smaller cities.
Maybe a better indicator of representing the country as a whole
Cons:
The winner of the Electoral College might not be the candidate who received the most popular votes nationwide.
Direct elections are seen more consistent with democratic principles.
The amendment has outlasted its usefulness.

15. Voter Turnout
Turnout is the proportion of the voting-age public that casts a ballot.
Generally, all citizens who are 18+ are eligible to vote
Who can’t vote?
Anyone under age 18
Non-citizens
Unregistered
Felons (per state basis)
What effects voter turnout?
Income / Education
Race and Ethnicity
Gender
Age
Interest in politics