U.S. Political Parties, Voting Rights, and Election Processes

What is a political party?

A group of people who join together to gain control of the government through the electoral process.

What are some functions of political parties?

Nominating candidates, informing and activating supporters, and acting as watchdogs within the government.

What type of political system does the United States have?

A two-party system.

What role do minor parties play in elections?

They act as 'spoilers' by taking away votes from one of the major parties.

What is the function of 'loyal opposition'?

To criticize the policies of the party in power.

When did the two-party system in the United States begin?

It dates back to the ratification of the Constitution between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.

Why are incumbents usually elected in Congressional races?

Candidates do not need to win a majority of votes to be elected.

What is a characteristic of multi-party systems?

They tend to produce instability within the government.

How do children's voting habits relate to their parents' political affiliation?

Children whose parents vote for a certain political party are likely to vote for that same party.

What are examples of single-issue parties?

The Free Soil Party, the 'Know Nothing' Party, and the Right to Life Party.

What is a key difference between major and minor parties?

Minor parties typically do not have a comprehensive platform.

Who is the automatic leader of the party in power?

The President.

What are the two main reasons for the decentralization of major political parties?

The divisiveness of the nominating process and the impact of federalism.

Who handles the affairs of both major parties between elections?

Each party's national committee.

What are the three main elements of the two major parties?

The party organization, the party's loyal supporters, and the party's officeholders.

Under the Constitution, who has the power to set suffrage qualifications?

The States.

What was the purpose of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

To ensure voting rights for African Americans.

What is a common restriction on voting for felons?

Many states do not allow felons to vote.

Why were residence requirements enacted?

To prevent noncitizens from voting.

What are some reasons people choose not to vote?

They believe their vote makes no difference, do not believe in the political system, or think the system is corrupt.

What criticism has been made about voter registration laws?

They discourage poor and uneducated people from voting.

What sociological factors can impact voting behavior?

A voter's age, race, and religion.

What is a drawback of the primary system?

They are no less apt to corruption than other forms of nominating candidates.

What was the purpose of the secret ballot?

To prevent voter intimidation.

What are the functions of voting machines?

To minimize vote-counting errors, speed up the counting process, and reduce the number of persons needed to administer elections.

What is the role of Political Action Committees?

They are special-interest groups with a major stake in public policy.

What does the Federal Election Commission oversee?

The documentation of donations to election campaigns, the donors and amounts of contributions, and the expenditures made by election campaigns.

What is a straight ticket voter?

A voter who votes for all candidates from one political party.

What are absentee ballots?

Votes cast by persons who are unable to vote at their polling location.

What is the difference between Office-Group and Party-Column ballots?

Office-Group ballots list candidates by office, while Party-Column ballots list candidates by party.

What is a closed primary?

A primary where voters must declare a political party to vote in that party's primary.

What is an open primary?

A primary where voters can cast ballots for candidates from both political parties.

What is a run-off primary?

A primary where the two candidates with the highest votes have a second election to determine the winner.

What is the purpose of a Presidential Primary?

Voters select the candidate they want delegates to choose at the national convention.

What is a blanket primary?

A primary where all voters receive the same ballot that includes all candidates running.

What did the 15th Amendment accomplish?

Gave African American men the right to vote.

What did the 19th Amendment accomplish?

Gave women the right to vote.

What did the 23rd Amendment accomplish?

Gave people in Washington, D.C. the right to vote for President.

What did the 24th Amendment accomplish?

Ended poll taxes, prohibiting charges to vote.

What did the 26th Amendment accomplish?

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.