Essential Question:

How does citizen involvement play a part in a functioning democracy and what responsibilities do “good” citizens have?

Learning Target:

Compare how different parties and party systems best represent the needs

of the people.

Political Parties

(def.) – group of citizens with similar views on public issuesWork together to put their ideas in

actionNominate candidates

Two-Party system

two main political parties in U.S.U.S. has hundreds of smaller parties

Democrats v. Republicans share almost equal strength since Civil

WarBoth parties try to attract as many voters

as possibleNeither wants to be considered too

‘extreme’ and scare voters over to the “other side”

Democrats

Liberal – favoring gradual reform to extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect individuals personal freedoms (Encarta Dictionary on-line)

believes that the government should have more control of the peopleSocial programs – welfare, social

security, etc.

Republicans

Conservative – in favor of preserving traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change

Wants to reduce the power of the federal governmentSocial programs should be created by

state and local governments

Multi-party systems – more than 2 strong political partiesCoalition (def.) - Two or more political

parties must agree to compromise & work together

If a coalition that is in control breaks apart because of disagreement the government is often left weakened.

One-party systems – single party controls the gov’tLaw usually forbids all other political

parties

Party Organization

Political parties exist to nominate and elects candidates to office

Must be organized at national, state and local levels with committees

Committees are headed by a chairperson

National & State Committees

largest party committeeNational chairperson is typically chosen

by party presidential candidateChooses date & location for party’s

national convention2012 Democrats – Charlotte, North Carolina2012 Republicans – Tampa, Florida

State committees organize party campaigns within their stateChairperson is often a member of the national

committee

Local Organization

Committees are responsible for all local campaigns

All counties, cities, etc. are divided into voting districts (precints)

All voters within one precinct vote at the same polling place.

http://www.murrayky.gov/planning/gis/maps/precincts.pdf

http://www.ci.gulfport.ms.us/images/Gulfport_Precinct.pdf

Financing Campaigns

2008 presidential election (cnn.com)Obama - $639,174,281McCain - $306,167,823

Voters, business groups, labor unions, etc. all contribute to political parties

Campaign Contributions are limited by several laws aimed at reformBipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) -2002

Candidates must report the name of every individual that contributes more than $200

Individual contributions capped @ $2,100

Public Financing

Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) – 1972

Created a Presidential election campaign fundAmerican’s can contribute $3 of taxes to the

election fundMoney is distributed to candidates

Presidential candidate trying to win nomination must first raise $5,000 in private contributions from at least 20 states

After winning the nomination presidential candidates may only use public funding or private funding, not both.

Becoming a voter

U.S. citizens may vote in national, state and local elections when 18Cannot be denied based on race, color, sex

Voter registration protects your right to voteNo one can vote more than once, or claim

to have someone vote for themVoters may register as members of a

political parties or as an independent

ElectionsPrimary elections – late spring or early

summerChoose party candidates that will run laterClosed primary – only voters registered with

the party may choose party candidatesOpen primary – voters may vote for candidates

of either major partyGeneral elections – leaders chosen from

choices offered by political partiesDate set by Congress – 1st Tuesday after the 1st

Monday of NovemberPresidential – every 4 yrs. Congressional – every 2 yrs.

VotingEarly 1800’s – voice vote (out loud)1888 – secret ballot – paper with

candidates names listed on itPunch cards, direct recording electronic,

etc.Law requires that employers give

employees time to go voteStraight ticket voting – voting for all the

candidates of one partySplit ticket voting – voting for candidates

of more than one political party

SQ3R

3 things that really interested you

2 questions

1 theme or main concept

Chapter 10 Section 4

Nominating & Electing leaders

Has the presidential candidate ever won the

popular vote and not been elected president by the

Electoral College?

1876 – Rutherford B. Hayes v. Samuel J. Tilden

1888 – Benjamin Harrison v. Grover Cleveland

2000 – George Bush v. Al GoreCandidate Popular Vote Electoral College

George Bush 50,456,002 271

Al Gore 50,999,897 266

Electoral College

popular vote – vote of the citizens of a country

Electors – people chosen from each state and the District of Columbia to formally select the President & Vice-President

538 electors Each state has same # of electors as

members of CongressDistrict of Columbia has 3 representatives

Before election Political party selects electors who promise to

vote for party’s presidential candidate

Example:If a Dem. wins a majority of a states votes, the

democratic electors cast the states electoral votes

Electors are not required by law to vote for the parties candidate

Few weeks after the election the electors meet and cast their ballots.

Results are sent to and counted by Congress Candidate that receives the majority – over 270 –

becomes president

If no candidate receives a majority of the votes the House of Representatives chooses from 3 top candidatesCongress has only had to choose twice – 1800,

1824

Nomination ProcessParty nominating conventions are

held the summer before an electionEach state sends delegates to nat.

convention to nominate candidates for Pres. and V.P.Delegates vote for parties candidates

Parties try to win support for their platform and candidatePlatform (def.) – statement on the

parties views and beliefs