1. Role of Political Parties Today
CIVICS
MR. COLLINS AND MR. HALL
CE.5B

2. Ch. 9 Sec. 3: Role of Parties
A couple of major roles political parties play:
1. Serve as “watchdog”: keep eye on government officials very closely; helps hold officials accountable for their actions
2. Serve as link between levels and branches of government

3. Parties raise money for the campaign
Role of Parties (cont.)
Parties raise money for the campaign
Inform citizens of the issues through pamphlets, speeches, & advertising

4. Decline of Political Parties:
Decline in party loyalty: mass media and better educated voters have damaged party loyalty
Nonpartisan elections: candidates can’t affiliate themselves with parties (examples: school board elections)

5. Nominating Candidates
Direct primaries – special election where voters in each state choose candidates to represent the party in a general election.
Winner of the most primaries usually gets the party’s nomination
Closed primaries–Only declared members get to vote
Open primaries-Voters don’t have to declare to vote
Independents may get on ballot with a petition