Elections and the Political Process - CE. 8., CE. 9, and CE. 10

Candidate

A person who runs for election to public office.

Nominate

To officially propose a candidate for election or appointment to a position.

Political Party

An organized group of people who share similar political beliefs and work together to influence government policy and elections. Political parties aim to gain political power through elections.

Two-Party System

A political system with two strong political parties - in the U.S. these are the Democratic and Republican Parties

Third Party

Minor political parties in a two-party system that challenge the two major parties; candidates of Third Parties are NOT usually elected; bring attention to a certain cause like the environment (Green Party)

Platform

A series of statements expressing the party's principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues.

Campaign

A coordinated effort to influence voters and promote a party's candidates and platform during an election cycle.

Media

The means of communication, such as radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet, to reach or influence people widely; the media plays a huge role in elections

Bias

prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Propaganda

information, often false or misleading, used to influence public opinion or promote a particular cause

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and distributes funds to elect political candidates, often supporting specific policy goals or interests.

Electoral College

The groups of electors that cast the official votes that elect President and Vice President; 270 electoral votes are needed to win the presidency

Functions of Political Parties

1. Recruit and select (nominate) candidates

2. Help their candidates win elections

3. Educate the electorate (those who vote - the public) about campaign issues (the party and candidate’s platform)

4. Monitor the actions of officeholders (mainly of the OTHER parties, to make sure they are not abusing/misusing their power)

Similarities between Political Parties

1. Organize to win elections

2. Influence public policies

3. Reflect both liberal and conservative views

4. Define themselves in a ways that wins majority support by appealing to the political center (moderates)

Differences between Political Parties

are stated in the party platforms and reflected in campaigning

Role of Third Parties

Introduce new ideas and/or press for a particular issue but rarely win elections against the two major political parties.

Qualifications to Register to Vote in Virginia

• U.S. Citizen

• Virginia Resident

• At least 18 years old

• Not a convicted felon

Ways to Register to Vote in Virginia

• In person at registrar's office

• At the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• At other designated sites such as public libraries and voter registration drives

• Mail-in application

Education, Age, Income

Factors in predicting which citizens will vote - typically the more educated, older, and higher income (wealthier) citizens vote more frequently

Reasons why citizens fail to vote

Lack of interest, failure to register, feel their vote does not matter

Winner-Take-All system

In a presidential election, if a candidate wins the popular vote in a state, he/she wins ALL of the electoral college votes in that state. This applies to 48 of the 50 states EXCEPT for Maine and Nebraska.

Rising Campaign Costs

As campaigns become more expensive, candidates need to spend more on advertising, staff, and outreach efforts, which can limit participation from less wealthy candidates and influence election outcomes. This has led to efforts to reform campaign financing and make elections more equitable.

Results of Rising Campaign Costs

• Require candidates to conduct fund-raising

• Limit opportunities to run for public office

• Give interest groups increased influence

• Encourage development of PACs because they can raise and spend large sums of money

Mass Media Roles in Elections

• Identifying candidates

• Emphasizing selected issues

• Writing editorials, political cartoons, op-ed pieces

• Broadcasting different points of view

Strategies for Evaluating Campaign Information

• Separating fact from opinion

• Detecting bias

• Evaluating sources

• Identifying propaganda

Write-in Candidate

A candidate whose name does not appear on a ballot but who asks voters to write his or her name in as their choice

Minority Party

In both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the political party to which fewer than half the members belong

Majority Party

The party that holds the majority of legislative seats in either the House or the Senate

Public Policy

The course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem; this can come in the form of laws, regulations, or government actions (like funding) aimed at addressing specific needs.

Political Beliefs

The values and ideas that individuals hold regarding government, politics, and the role of citizens in the political process. These beliefs influence voter behavior and policy preferences.

Bipartisan

It is supported by members of BOTH of the two major political parties (the Democrats and the Republicans)

Suffrage

the right to vote

In order to vote in Virginia . . .

a citizen must register at least 22 days before election day

15th Amendment

Grants African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the denial of suffrage based on race.

17th Amendment

Establishes the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, allowing voters to elect their senators instead of being chosen by state legislatures.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote, prohibiting denial of suffrage based on gender.

23rd Amendment

Grants residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections, allowing them electoral representation. It gave Washington D.C. three electoral votes in the Electoral College.

24th Amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that all citizens can vote without financial barriers.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18, ensuring that citizens who are 18 years or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation that aimed to eliminate various forms of discriminatory voting practices and ensure that all citizens, particularly African Americans, had the right to vote. It prohibited literacy tests and provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.

Swing State

A state where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, making it a key battleground in elections.

Political Spectrum

A system that classifies political beliefs along a continuum from liberal to conservative. It helps to understand the positions of different political parties. Left - liberal (Democrats); Right - Conservative (Republicans); Middle - Moderate

Republican Party

A political party that supports conservative policies, often associated with limited government, lower taxes, and traditional social values. Considered to be the conservative party and on the right side of the political spectrum.

Democrat Party

A political party that advocates for progressive policies, typically supporting social equality, environmental protection, and expanded government programs. Considered to be the liberal party and on the left side of the political spectrum.

Moderate

A person who avoids the extremes of the political spectrum and is the major target of both Republicans and Democrats during an election.

Independent

A voter or political candidate who does not align with either the Republican or Democratic parties, often prioritizing individual issues over party loyalty.

When did political parties begin in the U.S.?

Political parties began in the U.S. during the late 18th century, emerging from the debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the 1790s. This early formation was influenced by differing views on government power and individual rights which started when the founding fathers were debating the Constitution. Early on, after the Constitution was ratified, the two main political parties were the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party. At that time, the Federalist Party was led by Alexander Hamilton, while the Democratic-Republican Party was led by Thomas Jefferson. These parties represented distinct ideologies and interests, setting the foundation for the modern two-party system.

When did the Democrat Party begin in the U.S.?

The Democratic Party originated in the early 19th century, with roots tracing back to Thomas Jefferson's Democratic-Republican Party formed in the 1790s. It formally adopted the name "Democratic Party" in the 1830s, evolving through various political shifts and platforms. The first Democratic president was Andrew Jackson, who took office in 1829.

When did the Republican Party begin in the U.S.?

The Republican Party was founded in the 1850s, emerging from anti-slavery movements and opposition to the expansion of slavery into the territories. It was formally established in 1854 and quickly became a major political force. The first Republican president was Abraham Lincoln, who was elected in 1860.

How are the Democrat Party and Republican Party different today then from when they first originated in the U.S.?

Today, the Democratic Party primarily advocates for social justice, environmental issues, and expanded government roles in the economy, while the Republican Party emphasizes limited government, individual liberties, and conservative social values. Historically, the parties have swapped positions on various issues, notably race and civil rights, transforming their platforms significantly since their origins. In terms of race and civil rights, Democrats today tend to support policies that promote equality and inclusion, whereas early on, they were more associated with pro-slavery stances. Conversely, the early Republican Party was founded on anti-slavery principles, but has shifted towards a more conservative stance on social issues in recent decades.