1. POLITICAL PARTIES

2. Key Terms 1. candidate – someone running for office
2. majority – half + one
3. plurality – the most votes
4. platform – the party’s goals or issues that are part of their campaign
5. plank – each individual issue
6. precinct – voting districts
7. third party – any party NOT a republican or democrat
8. independent – unaffiliated with a party

3. I. What is the difference between republicans and democrats?
A. republicans believe in less government involvement in people’s lives; democrats would support more government involvement in people’s lives
B. Benefits of two party system
1. party’s check over one another
2. keep out radical views

4. II. 5 functions of political parties
A. represent your constituents
B. nominate/get candidates elected
C. inform the public
D. communicate between different levels of gov’t (local, state, and federal)
E. watchdog effect – parties checking each other