Political Parties

Question 0

Suffrage

Answer 0

The right to vote

Question 1

Political party definition

Answer 1

A group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. Principle oriented, issue oriented, election oriented

Question 2

Electorate

Answer 2

All people entitled to vote in a given election

Question 3

Closed primary

Answer 3

Only declared party members can vote

Question 4

Open primary

Answer 4

Any qualified voter can take part.blanket primary-qualified voters can vote for any candidate regardless of party

Question 5

Run-off primary

Answer 5

If a required majority is not met the two people with the most votes run again

Question 6

Non-partisan primary

Answer 6

Candidates are not identified by party labels

Question 7

Precinct

Answer 7

Voting district, the smallest geographic units to carry out elections, a precinct election board supervises the voting process in each precinct

Question 8

Polling place

Answer 8

Where the voter who lives in a precinct goes to vote, located in or near a precinct, supposed to be located conveniently

Question 9

FECA

Answer 9

Federal election campaign act, to replace the former, ineffective legislation

Question 10

FEC

Answer 10

Federal election commission, enforces the timely disclosure of campaign finance info, limits on campaign contributions, limits on campaign expenditures, provisions for funding of presidential campaigns

Question 11

5 functions of political parties

Answer 11

Nominate candidates-recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office. Inform and activate supporters-campaign, define issues,and criticize other candidates. Ensure candidate quality-guarantee candidate is worthy of office. Help govern-members of gov act accordingly to their partisanship or firm allegiance to a party. Act as watchdog-parties out of power keep an eye on party in power

Question 12

Reasons for two party system

Answer 12

Historical basis- the nation started out with two parties: federalists and antifederalists. The force of tradition- US has always had 2 party system. Minor parties lack wide political support and don’t make a successful showing so people are reluctant to vote for them. The electoral system- certain features of government such as single member districts are designed to favor major parties. Ideological consensus- most Americans have general agreement on fundamental matters. Conditions that would spark several strong rival parties do not exist.

Question 13

advantages and disadvantages of a multi party system

Answer 13

Advantages-provides broader representation of the people, more responsive to will of the people, gives voters more choices at polls
Disadvantages- causes parties to form coalitions which dissolve easily, failure of coalitions can cause instability in gov

Question 14

The sociological patterns of voting

Answer 14

Democratic-minorities, women, catholic, jewish, union members, middle to lower class, inner city, northwest and bigger population states, younger voters
Republican-white males, protestant, business, middle to upper class, suburbs and rural, midwest and southern states, older voters
2/3 of people follow party of their parents

Question 15

Importance of minor parties

Answer 15

1. spoiler role-minor party candidates can pull decisive votes away from one of the major party candidates, especially if they are part of a splinter party
2. critic-minor parties, especially single issue parties, often take stands on and draw attention to controversial issues that the major parties would prefer to ignore
3. innovator- often minor parties come up with innovative ways to solve major issues. If the proposals gain enough support they are integrated into the the major parties platforms

Question 16

Future of political parties

Answer 16

For voters-1.most people are unwilling to label themselves as dem. or rep. 2. split ticket voting-voting for candidates of different parties or offices in an election
For candidates-1. structural changes have increased conflict and disorganization within parties 2.changes in the technology of campaigning especially in tv or internet have made candidates more independent from their party 3. the growth of single issue organizations provides candidates with another source of financial support

Question 17

Universal requirements to vote

Answer 17

1.citizenship-most states require US citizenship 2.residence-must be a legal resident of a state, some states require minimum residency time 3.age-26th amendment says 18 years old 4.Registration-all states except North Dakota require voter to register BEFORE election

Question 18

Why people don’t vote

Answer 18

1. physical or mental illness
2. Unexpected travel
3. residential alien citizenship status
4. voting is in someway inconvenient
5. do not believe they will make a difference, distrust candidates
6. religious beliefs
7. timezone fallout

Question 19

Off year election

Answer 19

congressional election held when there is not presidential election

Question 20

factors that promote voting

Answer 20

if you… 1. have a higher income 2. have higher level of education 3. have a higher occupational status 4.have a strong party identification 5.are a woman 6. live in the suburbs 7. older than 35 8. married

Question 21

to nominate a candidate

Answer 21

1. self announcement 2. caucus/convention-caucus-big wigs get together, convention-delegates selected from peoples wishes 3.direct primary-closed primary, open primary, run-off primary, non-partisan primary 4.petition

Question 22

types of minor parties

Answer 22

ideological, single-issue, economic protest, splinter

Question 23

Limits FEC encforces

Answer 23

1. timely disclosure of campaign finance info 2.limits on campaign contributions 3. limits on campaign expenditures 4. provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns

Question 24

Election funding loopholes

Answer 24

1. soft money-money given to state and local party organizations for “party building activities” that is filtered to presidential or congressional campaigns. 2. Independent campaign spending-person unrelated/unconnected to party can spend as much money as they want to benefit or work against candidates 3.Issue ads-take a stand on certain issues in order to criticize or support a candidate w/out mentioning their name