CHAPTER 11- HOW OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM WORKS
11.1- POLITICAL PARTIES
American citizens can vote for their elected representatives. And elected representatives can vote for or support proposed new laws. But on citizen or one representative can cast only one vote. Political parties are organized groups who choose, support, vote for, and promote party-approved candidates for public office, based on shared beliefs. party members (and the candidates they elect) are people with similar views. They join forces to get more political power. Members of parties pool their voting numbers and organizational strength to:
Members of a political party share certain beliefs about what the government should do, and the members of the party decide as a group:
Voters support a party because they agree with its basic ideas and positions on particular issues. members and supporters of the same party may not agree on every party policy, but they compromise on minor differences for the good of the group. By participating in political parties, citizens can become an active and stronger part of the political process.
Functions of Political Parties
Political parties carry out their activities at local, state, and national levels. They use their organization, numbers and shared resources to shape government and government policy. Political parties do seven different things they:
- Back candidates to help them win elections.
- organize support for specific new laws and issues.
Members of a political party share certain beliefs about what the government should do, and the members of the party decide as a group:
- Which issues are most important.
- How to deal with those issues for the public good
- Which candidates and law makers should represent their views.
- How elected lawmakers should support the party's shared vision and what laws should be proposed and passed.
Voters support a party because they agree with its basic ideas and positions on particular issues. members and supporters of the same party may not agree on every party policy, but they compromise on minor differences for the good of the group. By participating in political parties, citizens can become an active and stronger part of the political process.
Functions of Political Parties
Political parties carry out their activities at local, state, and national levels. They use their organization, numbers and shared resources to shape government and government policy. Political parties do seven different things they:
- Choose and Support Candidates: Parties recruit and support candidates for all elected political policies.
- Work to Win Elections: parties organize voter registration drives, recruit volunteers to work at the polls and work to encourage citizens to vote, especially for that party.
- Act as Watchdogs: Political parties provide a system of checks and balances. Each party watches other parties. They report wrongdoings and oppose other parties' policies and decisions.
- Set Policy: Each party develops a political platform (See below)- the party's formal declaration of its principles and policies on important public issues. Party members elected to office work together to get these policies carried out in government.
- Communicate Information: Parties educate and try to influence citizens on policies and issues.
- Lobby: Parties help keep government officials informed of voters' opinions.
- Provide Leadership: Parties work to elect their members to office and to gain support for polices among elected officials.
2024 Republican and Democrat Party Platform Comparisons
Political Parties in America:
In his farewell address to the nation after two terms in office as America's first President under the Constitution, George Washington urged Americans to prevent political parties from causing conflict and weakening national unity. Later Thomas Jefferson in his inaugural address spoke of the divisions between the two political parties- the Republicans and the Federalists, that had emerged in his era:
"Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans- we are all Federalists."
History of Political Parties
President George Washington had hoped to build a strong, unified nation in which there would be no need for political parties. But Washington's vision proved to be unrealistic. In the earliest years of our nation's history, major differences of political opinions made unity difficult to achieve.
In his farewell address to the nation after two terms in office as America's first President under the Constitution, George Washington urged Americans to prevent political parties from causing conflict and weakening national unity. Later Thomas Jefferson in his inaugural address spoke of the divisions between the two political parties- the Republicans and the Federalists, that had emerged in his era:
"Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have called by different names brethren of the same principle. We are all Republicans- we are all Federalists."
History of Political Parties
President George Washington had hoped to build a strong, unified nation in which there would be no need for political parties. But Washington's vision proved to be unrealistic. In the earliest years of our nation's history, major differences of political opinions made unity difficult to achieve.
Importance of Third Parties:
Although the Republican and Democratic parties dominate politics in America today, many third parties have challenge them. Third parties like the Green Party, the Reform Party, and the Libertarian Party, have been formed to support a specific issue or candidate for office and to challenge the major parties.
No third party candidate has ever been elected president, but these political parties have shaped politics in America by:
Party Organization:
Each level within a political party organization- local, state, and national- works closely with other levels. However, each level is independent. No level of the party has real control over any other level. So the National Democratic party and the National Republican Party does not directly influence the Utah State Democratic Party or the Utah State Republican Party. Likewise the St. George Democratic Party and St. George Republican Party, while influenced by the State Parties is independent and can make decisions that do not always corollate with the other levels.
Local and State Levels:
At the local level, party members work to get party candidates elected. The voting districts, or precincts, are the building blocks of party organization. Each precinct has a party leader or chairperson who organizes, volunteers. These volunteers do the real work of the campaign. They make phone calls, mail brochures, and do door-to-door visits to persuade voters to vote for their candidates.
At the state level, party leaders write a state party platform. They also nominate candidates for office, raise money, hold state conventions, and help with election campaigns.
National Level:
At the national level, the party organization holds a large meeting- or political convention- in presidential election years to choose a party presidential candidate. In addition to choosing candidates, convention delegates also write the party's platform for election. The party then organizes election campaigns and helps candidates with advice from campaign consultants, by fundraising, and other activities.
Political Parties Today:
America's two-party system of government is always changing. The role of political parties in elections changes to fit the current situation. In recent years, three main changes have been seen:
Although the Republican and Democratic parties dominate politics in America today, many third parties have challenge them. Third parties like the Green Party, the Reform Party, and the Libertarian Party, have been formed to support a specific issue or candidate for office and to challenge the major parties.
No third party candidate has ever been elected president, but these political parties have shaped politics in America by:
- Influencing the Outcome of Elections: A third party candidate can draw votes away from one major party, giving an advantage to the competing party.
- Example: In 1912, Theodore Roosevelt's Bull Moose Progressive Party split off from the Republican Party. Roosevelt attracted some (mostly) Republican Votes, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to defeat Republican William Taft.
- Raising Important Issues: Many minor parties shave been formed to support specific issues.
- Example: H. Ross Perot, an Independent candidate in the 1992 election, based his campaign on the budget deficit issue.
- Example: The Green Party, led by Ralph Nader, focuses on environmental and consumer issues in the 2000 presidential election.
- Getting Candidates Elected to Office: in 1998, former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura, a Reform Party candidate was elected Governor of Minnesota. Because of his past and policies he would have never been nominated by either the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.
Party Organization:
Each level within a political party organization- local, state, and national- works closely with other levels. However, each level is independent. No level of the party has real control over any other level. So the National Democratic party and the National Republican Party does not directly influence the Utah State Democratic Party or the Utah State Republican Party. Likewise the St. George Democratic Party and St. George Republican Party, while influenced by the State Parties is independent and can make decisions that do not always corollate with the other levels.
Local and State Levels:
At the local level, party members work to get party candidates elected. The voting districts, or precincts, are the building blocks of party organization. Each precinct has a party leader or chairperson who organizes, volunteers. These volunteers do the real work of the campaign. They make phone calls, mail brochures, and do door-to-door visits to persuade voters to vote for their candidates.
At the state level, party leaders write a state party platform. They also nominate candidates for office, raise money, hold state conventions, and help with election campaigns.
National Level:
At the national level, the party organization holds a large meeting- or political convention- in presidential election years to choose a party presidential candidate. In addition to choosing candidates, convention delegates also write the party's platform for election. The party then organizes election campaigns and helps candidates with advice from campaign consultants, by fundraising, and other activities.
Political Parties Today:
America's two-party system of government is always changing. The role of political parties in elections changes to fit the current situation. In recent years, three main changes have been seen:
- Party Loyalty is Weaker: Voters today are less likely to vote for only one political party. More and more citizens vote a split ticket- voting for who they think is the best candidate regardless of the candidate's party.
- There are More Independent Voters: The number of voters who consider themselves "Independent" - not loyal to either major party- increased from less than 20% of voters in the 1940s to more than 30% in the 1990s. Independent voters sometimes support third-party candidates.
- More Elections Are Nonpartisan: In nonpartisan election, candidates run without any official association with a political party. The ballots- lists of candidates' names that voters mark when they vote- do not include any party names.
11.2- ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
An election campaign consists of all of the pre-election activities used to secure votes in an election. The campaign begins with the selection of the candidates.
Choosing Candidates:
The process used to nominate- or propose a candidate for office- can be simple or complicated. The higher the office, the more complicated the process. A person can become a candidate for political office in several ways.
Primary Elections:
In a direct primary election. voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent that party in the general election. Primary elections were first ordered in Iowa in 1903 to allow more of the ordinary party members, not just those with influence or money, to become the party's candidates.
In some states, entering a primary as a candidate is fairly easy. In New Hampshire, for example, anyone can be listed on the primary ballot just by paying a $1,000.00 filing fee. Most states use one of two types of primaries:
Nominating Convention:
At one time, presidential candidates were actually chosen at the Democratic or Republican national party conventions. Party leaders made all of the decisions. Today the primary process usually makes the party's choice for a presidential candidate clear before the convention takes place. The convention delegates vote to make the party's choice of candidate official.
Delegates also:
Running the Campaign:
After a candidate is nominated for office by his or her party, the campaign to win the actual election begins. The general election campaign needs careful planning and organization.
Planning and Organizing:
A successful campaign requires a large team of volunteers and hired staff- all working to inform the public and persuade people to vote for their candidate. Key campaign workers include:
Media and Messages:
Candidates use a variety of tools to try to influence the news media and the public. A wide range of communication tools are used to influence voters' ideas and opinions. some of the methods used to influence and persuade voters to vote for them are:
Media consultants determine the strategy for their candidate's television, radio, social media, and print advertisements. Political ads can be either, or a mix, of two approaches:
Campaign Financing:
Candidates need a lot of money to run successful political campaigns, especially at the national level.
Example: The Dole and Clinton presidential campaigns spent a combined total of $232 million in the 1996 presidential election. In 2020 this record was broken with an election that totaled $14.4 billion, more than doubling the total cost of 2016.
Choosing Candidates:
The process used to nominate- or propose a candidate for office- can be simple or complicated. The higher the office, the more complicated the process. A person can become a candidate for political office in several ways.
- Self-nomination: A person can simply declare that he or she is running for office in many local campaigns.
- Caucus: Some states use a caucus, or a meeting of party members to select candidates and decide on policies. Most caucuses are open to the public.
- Write in: Voters can write in any name, their own or someone else's, as a candidate on a ballot in any election.
- Nominating petition: In many places, someone who wants to be a candidate must obtain a certain number of voter signatures on a petition to get nominated.
- Convention: For some offices, candidates are chosen by vote of party members or delegates at a party convention.
Primary Elections:
In a direct primary election. voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent that party in the general election. Primary elections were first ordered in Iowa in 1903 to allow more of the ordinary party members, not just those with influence or money, to become the party's candidates.
In some states, entering a primary as a candidate is fairly easy. In New Hampshire, for example, anyone can be listed on the primary ballot just by paying a $1,000.00 filing fee. Most states use one of two types of primaries:
- Closed Primary: Voters must be registered as party members to vote in that party's primary.
- Open Primary: Citizens can vote in either party's primary without stating their party affiliation.
Nominating Convention:
At one time, presidential candidates were actually chosen at the Democratic or Republican national party conventions. Party leaders made all of the decisions. Today the primary process usually makes the party's choice for a presidential candidate clear before the convention takes place. The convention delegates vote to make the party's choice of candidate official.
Delegates also:
- Approve the candidate for vice president. who is usually chosen by the nominee for president.
- Write and approve the party platform.
- Carry out other party business.
Running the Campaign:
After a candidate is nominated for office by his or her party, the campaign to win the actual election begins. The general election campaign needs careful planning and organization.
Planning and Organizing:
A successful campaign requires a large team of volunteers and hired staff- all working to inform the public and persuade people to vote for their candidate. Key campaign workers include:
- Campaign Manager: The manager directs and coordinates the campaign.
- Finance Manager: This person coordinates fundraising for the campaign.
- Pollsters: These experts conduct public opinion surveys on important issues- Survey results help the candidate to understand the feelings and concerns of the voters.
- Press secretary: The press secretary releases news about the candidate and the campaign to the media. The press secretary makes sure that the candidate is in the news and helps shape the candidate's public image.
- Volunteers: Volunteer staff workers carry out important, behind-the-scenes campaign activities. They make telephone calls to the voters, pass out print promotion (sometimes called campaign literature) and organize campaign events.
Media and Messages:
Candidates use a variety of tools to try to influence the news media and the public. A wide range of communication tools are used to influence voters' ideas and opinions. some of the methods used to influence and persuade voters to vote for them are:
- Direct mail campaigns
- Bumper stickers, buttons and posters
- Fliers or small brochures
- Speeches, political rallies, and personal appearances.
- Press Conferences
- Debates- public discussions of the issues- with opposing candidate(s).
- Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and the internet including social media.
Media consultants determine the strategy for their candidate's television, radio, social media, and print advertisements. Political ads can be either, or a mix, of two approaches:
- Positive: Focusing on the candidates qualifications, family, experience, or ideas on various issues.
- Negative: Attacking an opponent's character, ability, or believability on issues. More and more ads today uses this approach, although many voters would like to see the practice stopped.
Campaign Financing:
Candidates need a lot of money to run successful political campaigns, especially at the national level.
Example: The Dole and Clinton presidential campaigns spent a combined total of $232 million in the 1996 presidential election. In 2020 this record was broken with an election that totaled $14.4 billion, more than doubling the total cost of 2016.
Politicians receive donations from many sources, mostly private but also public. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) is responsible for ensuring that all contributions are made and received according to the law.
Private Sources
Four important sources of private funding include donations from:
Public Funds
Citizens can give $3 from their income taxes to a presidential campaign fund. To be eligible to receive grants from these funds, candidates must do two things:
Private Sources
Four important sources of private funding include donations from:
- Individual Citizens: Federal law allows individuals to contribute up to $1,000 per election to a federal candidate. Individuals can also contribute up to a maximum amount per year to a political party. Obama's victory in the general election was aided by his tremendous fund-raising success. Since the start of 2007, his campaign relied on bigger donors and smaller donors nearly equally, pulling in successive donations mostly over the Internet. Since 2007, candidates have widely used social media to collect funds from individual citizens at a much higher rate than has ever been seen in history.
- Political Action Committees (PACs): These special interest groups raise money for political causes.
- The Candidate: Many candidates use some of their own money to pay for campaigns.
Public Funds
Citizens can give $3 from their income taxes to a presidential campaign fund. To be eligible to receive grants from these funds, candidates must do two things:
- Agree to limit their spending to the amount of the grant.
- Agree not to accept private contributions for the campaign. As a result, few candidates ever accept these funds.
11.3- VOTING AND ELECTIONS
"In the lack of judgement, great harm arises, but one vote cast can set right a house." Aeschylus, ancient Greek author.
Citizens help create their governments by the choices they make at the polls. They need to know the candidates and the issues. As an informed voter, you can influence the world around you.
Requirements for Voting
Voting requirements vary slightly from state to state, but as a general rule, you can vote in the United States if you are:
People convicted of felonies and people being treated for mental disabilities are not allowed to vote.
Additionally you must be registered to vote. Registration is the process of signing up to vote in the district or area that you live.
Citizens help create their governments by the choices they make at the polls. They need to know the candidates and the issues. As an informed voter, you can influence the world around you.
Requirements for Voting
Voting requirements vary slightly from state to state, but as a general rule, you can vote in the United States if you are:
- An American Citizen
- At least 18 years old
- A resident of the state in which you vote
People convicted of felonies and people being treated for mental disabilities are not allowed to vote.
Additionally you must be registered to vote. Registration is the process of signing up to vote in the district or area that you live.
Voter Turnout
In the United States, slightly more than half of all eligible voters actually vote in a presidential election. People choose not to vote for a variety of reasons. Some people feel the government is not effective and doesn't represent their point of view. Others don't trust the candidates or are turned off by negative campaigns and by fighting between the parties. Even if you agree with some of these reasons, remember that voting is an important responsibility. Your vote tells people in government what you think and feel. Voting is the most powerful tool you have for influencing your government. You Can Participate in Politics: What can you do to participate in politics?
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Elections
Every four years, Americans vote for their president. Federal congressional and presidential elections always take place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Casting and Counting Votes:
Citizens can vote in one of two ways:
If the results of an election are very close, a state may require a recount of the votes. A candidate or a voter must also file a petition to request a recount. Rarely, a recount lead to an order for a runoff election- a new election between the candidates to settle any confusing in a close outcome from the first round of voting.
Electoral College:
You already know that final ballots in a presidential election (the ones that actually elect the president) are cast by members of the Electoral College- representatives from each state, known as electors.
Article 2 of the Constitution established the Electoral College, but the Twelfth Amendment changed the electoral voting process.
How the Electoral College Works Today:
What's on a Ballot?
National elections are held along with State and Local elections. When you look at a ballot you will see candidates names for such offices as:
Every four years, Americans vote for their president. Federal congressional and presidential elections always take place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Casting and Counting Votes:
Citizens can vote in one of two ways:
- Secret Ballot: On Election Day , most voters go to a polling place. The voter goes into a voting booth and casts his or her vote in secret. Some ballots have to be marked (next to candidates names). Others are marked with a hole-punch device. Some polls use mechanical voting machines, which ask voters to pull levers to record their votes. (Recently due to Covid- the option to Mail in your vote has been made available. There is a discussion about continuing the practice. In the state of Utah- mail in votes has been made part of our Governmental practice.)
- Absentee Ballot: Voters who are ill, disabled, out of town, or in the military at election time can vote using an absentee ballot. Absentee ballots sent by mail must be received by the close of the polls on Election Day in most states. Likewise this rule exists for Mail in Votes.
If the results of an election are very close, a state may require a recount of the votes. A candidate or a voter must also file a petition to request a recount. Rarely, a recount lead to an order for a runoff election- a new election between the candidates to settle any confusing in a close outcome from the first round of voting.
Electoral College:
You already know that final ballots in a presidential election (the ones that actually elect the president) are cast by members of the Electoral College- representatives from each state, known as electors.
Article 2 of the Constitution established the Electoral College, but the Twelfth Amendment changed the electoral voting process.
How the Electoral College Works Today:
- Each state is allowed a number of electors equal to the number of it's US Senators plus the number of its US Representatives.
- The Political Parties (or Independent candidates) in each state submit a list of individuals who promise to vote for their candidate. These people become electors for their party.
- The people in each state cast their votes for the party electors representing their choice for President or Vice President.
- The party that wins the most popular votes in the state wins all the electoral votes of that state in a "Winner Takes All" system.
- In early- to Mid-December (as established by federal law) following the November Presidential Election, electors meet in their respective state capitals and cast their electoral votes- one vote for president and one for vice president.
- The electoral votes are sealed and sent to the President of the Senate, who on the following January 6, opens and reads them before both houses of Congress.
- The candidates for President and Vice President with the majority of the electoral votes are declared winners.
- At noon on January 20, the elected President and Vice President are sworn into office.
What's on a Ballot?
National elections are held along with State and Local elections. When you look at a ballot you will see candidates names for such offices as:
- President and Vice President
- Senator
- Congressional Representative
- Governor
- State House member
- State Senator
- Mayor
- Alderman
- Judge
- Board Member
- Whether to issue bonds to raise money for the schools.
- Whether the town should purchase a parcel of land for a new park.
- Whether the stat's power to raise taxes should be limited.
Going to the Polls:
Polling places are in public buildings, like schools, libraries, government buildings, and private places the public can easily get to, such as shopping malls, the lobbies of office buildings, and the like. When you register to vote, you will get a card that shows the district in which you are registered. Your local government office can tell you where the polling place is for your district.
As you approach the polling place, you'll see an American flag flying. Often there may be people handing out literature or "sample ballots" that urge you to vote for a certain candidate or for or against the issues on the ballot. Local laws will prevent these people from getting too near the polling place.
It is perfectly alright to bring notes or newspaper articles to help you remember how you want to vote.
Inside you will join a line of people waiting to vote. As you get to the front, you'll see citizens serving as election judges sitting at the table. One will ask you to register. You sign in, and the judge matches your signature with one in a big book that was obtained when you registered.
You may see people in the room who are neither voters or election judges. These people are observers. Political parties send observers to be sure everything is done fairly. So do interested organizations, such as the League of Women Voters. Often there is also a policeman there to protect the voting process.
After you've registered, a judge will hand you a ballot, and you may have to wait until a voting booth is free.
Inside the voting booth, you will mark the ballot. There will be instructions on how to do it. Also, you may ask an election judge for assistance, if you are unsure. There are four kinds of ballots.
Polling places are in public buildings, like schools, libraries, government buildings, and private places the public can easily get to, such as shopping malls, the lobbies of office buildings, and the like. When you register to vote, you will get a card that shows the district in which you are registered. Your local government office can tell you where the polling place is for your district.
As you approach the polling place, you'll see an American flag flying. Often there may be people handing out literature or "sample ballots" that urge you to vote for a certain candidate or for or against the issues on the ballot. Local laws will prevent these people from getting too near the polling place.
It is perfectly alright to bring notes or newspaper articles to help you remember how you want to vote.
Inside you will join a line of people waiting to vote. As you get to the front, you'll see citizens serving as election judges sitting at the table. One will ask you to register. You sign in, and the judge matches your signature with one in a big book that was obtained when you registered.
You may see people in the room who are neither voters or election judges. These people are observers. Political parties send observers to be sure everything is done fairly. So do interested organizations, such as the League of Women Voters. Often there is also a policeman there to protect the voting process.
After you've registered, a judge will hand you a ballot, and you may have to wait until a voting booth is free.
Inside the voting booth, you will mark the ballot. There will be instructions on how to do it. Also, you may ask an election judge for assistance, if you are unsure. There are four kinds of ballots.
- Paper ballots you mark with a pen or pencil
- Cards that you insert into a slot in a book with candidates names and issues. You punch holes next to the items you vote for with a special punch and your vote is recorded on the card.
- Voting machines in which you pull down levers besides the names you want to vote for. When you are certain you have voted as you intended, you pull a large lever to record your vote.
- Computerized Ballot machines where you are given a card, the size of a credit card, that is inserted into the machine. This card records your vote in the correct precinct. A hard copy of your vote is printed on receipt paper built into the machine. Once you have finished voting you will hand the computer card back to the Judges. (Utah uses this in Washington County)