Political Parties – Chapter 12Pg. 406-421 and Pg. 426 – 428

Functions of the Party System

Mobilizing support and building coalitions.

Encouraging stability in the political system.

Providing accountability for public policy.

Running candidates for office.

Providing a cue for voters.

Formulating policy through a

national party platform.

Functions of the Party System

Mobilizing support and building coalitions.

Encouraging stability in the political system.

Providing accountability for public policy.

Running candidates for office.

Providing a cue for voters.

Formulating policy through a

national party platform.

Minor Parties

Winner-take-all system makes it difficult to win

office.

Sharp contrast to proportional systems used

elsewhere.

Rooted in sectionalism, protest, issues, and

people.

Do best when there is little trust in other parties.

Can have success in putting issues on agenda.

Purposes of Elections

Legitimize government, even in authoritarian

systems.

Organize government.

Choose issue and policy priorities.

Electorate gives winners a mandate.

Elections – Chapter 13Pg. 464-478

Types of Elections

Primary elections can be open or closed.

Crossover voting or raiding can occur in open

primaries.

Runoff primaries held if no candidate wins a

majority.

General elections determine who will fill public

offices.

Ballot measures: initiative, referendum, and

recall.

Nominating a President

Delegates to convention chosen by election or

caucus.

Elections may be winner-take-all or proportional.

Caucuses are better for the party organization.

Elections allow for broader participation.

Trend toward front-loading.

Party Conventions

Each party has its own rules about delegates.

Democrats no longer subscribe to unit rule.

Delegates tied to candidate, except

superdelegates.

Require representation of women and minorities.

Republicans do not bind delegates to candidate.

Media extensively cover happenings.

Electoral College

Representatives from each state who select

president.

Electors equivalent to senators plus

representatives.

Framers favored system to remove power from

people.

Originally president and vice president selected

alone.

Changed after Twelfth Amendment.

1876 and 2000 elections demonstrate concerns.

Reforming the Electoral College

Three major proposals have been made.

Select the president by popular vote.

Each congressional district has a vote.

Keep the College, abolish the electors.