Political Parties and Election Processes Overview

Political parties

Groups of like-minded individuals that aim to control government offices through elections.

Two-Party System

A governmental structure that favors two major parties (Democrats and Republicans in the U.S.) at the national and state levels.

Multi-Party System

A system where coalitions are formed with 3 or more parties able to win a major office position.

One-Party System

A system considered a dictatorship.

Functions of political parties

Nominate candidates, run political campaigns, give cues to voters about the party platform, display views on policies, effectively coordinate policy, educate and mobilize the electorate, and balance the system through opposition.

Critical election

Elections that cause party realignment, where the electorate changes their voting habits.

Divided government

A government where the party in power controls the presidency and the opposing party controls Congress.

Truncated government

A government where the party in power controls the presidency along with a chamber of Congress, while the opposing party controls the other chamber of Congress.

Single-issue party

A party created based on one issue and usually goes away after the issue is acted upon.

Economic protest party

A party formed in poor economic times and goes away after the economy improves.

Ideological party

The longest-lasting form of minor parties, based on comprehensive principles and political ideals.

Splinter Party

A party that splits from a major party and often spoils elections by driving votes from that major party to the splinter party.

Purpose of minor parties

Attempt to win state and local elections and voice frustrations with the government or major parties.

Party in the electorate

The largest part of political parties, consisting of people that claim to be members of a specific party.

Party organization

Includes the national convention, national committees, national chairperson, and congressional campaign committee.

National convention

The meeting every 4 years the summer before an election where the presidential candidate is nominated.

Election process

A long, difficult process that may start 2 years before the election.

Nomination

The easiest way to get on state's ballots and win political office, occurring at the national convention.

Caucuses

A method of nomination where party members gather to discuss and select candidates.

Primaries

A method of nomination where party members vote in a statewide election to choose candidates.

Primaries

Consist of either open or closed primaries.

Open Primaries

Allow voters to vote for both political party candidates.

Closed Primaries

Require you to choose a political party and only vote within that party.

Caucuses

Meetings of party members to nominate and discuss potential presidential candidates.

Early Primaries and Caucuses

The first caucus always takes place in January in Iowa, and the first primary shortly follows in January in New Hampshire.

Winning Early Primaries

Declares the party nominations and causes people to fall out of the presidential race.

Super Tuesday

One night when many states hold their primaries.

General Elections

Selection of one candidate for an office.

Off-year Elections

Federal election without president on ballot (lower voter turnout).

Runoff Elections

If the top two candidates don't have a majority, they have to run against each other.

Referendum

Citizens vote on policy matter legislation proposed by the state legislature.

Initiative

Citizen proposal for a law that may be enacted if it receives enough votes.

Proposition

Citizen-sponsored proposal.

Recall

Allows the people to vote to take someone out of office early.

Trend-Frontloading

States move their primaries early in the season to get money and attention.

Coattail Effect

A candidate at the top of the ticket (President) gets votes for those within the same party at lower levels on the ballot.

Absentee Voting

Many states are allowing mail-in voting ballots because of the convenience for voters.

Hard Money

Refers to money given directly to candidates and is tightly regulated and reported.

Soft Money

Money contributed to political campaigns or PACs in unlimited amounts for party-building activities.

Buckley v. Valeo

Ruled that spending money to influence elections is constitutional through the First Amendment's guarantee to freedom of speech.

Citizens United (2010)

Gave corporations and organizations the rights of freedom of speech in soft money, seemingly unlimited contributions.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the incumbents past decisions and history.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on what the candidate will do in the future.

Lack of Efficacy

They lack the belief that the government will listen to them, meaning that their vote is important either way.

Voter Fatigue

Voters are less likely to vote on election day because of how drawn out elections are.

Rational Abstention Thesis

States that some individuals choose not to vote because the 'costs' of voting outweigh the overall benefits.