Political Parties Flashcards
Suffrage
The right to vote
Political party definition
A group of persons who seek to control government by winning elections and holding office. Principle oriented, issue oriented, election oriented
Electorate
All people entitled to vote in a given election
Closed primary
Only declared party members can vote
Open primary
Any qualified voter can take part.blanket primary-qualified voters can vote for any candidate regardless of party
Run-off primary
If a required majority is not met the two people with the most votes run again
Non-partisan primary
Candidates are not identified by party labels
Precinct
Voting district, the smallest geographic units to carry out elections, a precinct election board supervises the voting process in each precinct
Polling place
Where the voter who lives in a precinct goes to vote, located in or near a precinct, supposed to be located conveniently
FECA
Federal election campaign act, to replace the former, ineffective legislation
FEC
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
5 functions of political parties
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
Reasons for two party system
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.
advantages and disadvantages of a multi party system
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
The sociological patterns of voting
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
Importance of minor parties
- 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
- 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
- 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
Future of political parties
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
Universal requirements to vote
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
Why people don’t vote
- physical or mental illness
- Unexpected travel
- residential alien citizenship status
- voting is in someway inconvenient
- do not believe they will make a difference, distrust candidates
- religious beliefs
- timezone fallout
Off year election
congressional election held when there is not presidential election
factors that promote voting
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
to nominate a candidate
- 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
types of minor parties
ideological, single-issue, economic protest, splinter
Limits FEC encforces
- timely disclosure of campaign finance info 2.limits on campaign contributions 3. limits on campaign expenditures 4. provisions for public funding of presidential campaigns
