Transcript Political Parties


What were the requirements for voting right
after the Constitution was created?
A right and a
responsibility of
citizenship.
 18 years old
 U.S. Citizen
 State Resident
 Mentally Competent
 Not a convicted felon

 Is this fair? Can prisoner vote
change outcome of
elections?
Must register 25 days
before the election at:
 DMV
 Registrar’s Office
 Mail in Application

Qualified citizens have a
responsibility of stay
informed about
campaign issues and
exercise their right to
vote.
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Eligible voters
polling place in
precinct
(district
where you live)
Present valid ID or
verification of address
Receive ballot & list of
candidates
Enter private, secure
voting booth & cast
vote
Increased turn-out
in Presidential
Elections
 Participation more
likely:

Education
Age
Income
Lack Interest
Forget to register
Not informed on
issues
 Participation less
likely:

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
Income
Age
Education
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You should pay attention to
the election campaigns,
watch the debates between
candidates, and read about
the candidates’ positions on
various issues.
The best place to read about
the issues are the candidates’
websites. The national and
local media can be good also,
but be careful to separate
facts from opinions.
Absentee ballot: voting
ballot that you can cast
if you cannot go to the
polls on election day (ex:
soldiers in other
countries, people in
hospitals, etc)
 Voter apathy: lack of
interest & believing
that your vote does not
really count
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Some people do not vote because they don’t know the steps.
Your task is to make an attention-grabbing flyer with some
basic voting info to inform the public.
You must include the following:
 Who is eligible to vote?
 How to register to vote?
 What are the steps in voting (include precinct, polling place,
ballot, and absentee ballot)
 What happens after you vote
 Why you should vote? (be convincing!)
 Pictures/illustrations/color!
 Pairs or groups of 3
Political Parties


A political party = an organization
of people with similar interests who
organize to win elections and
operate the government.
Candidates need majority of votes
(over 50%) to win elections in the
U.S.
 two-party system. 2 main political
parties (Democrats & Republicans)
dominate our politics, but there are
other parties called third parties.
Recruit and
Nominate
Candidates for
Public Offices
 Conventions-
Name
Candidates
 PrimariesElect
Candidates
Help Candidates
Win Elections

Most important
function since
candidate will
support party
goals if elected
Set Party Goals
Platform- Statement
of party’s positions
of major issues
Leadership

Work to pass laws
that support the
party’s goals
Watchdog

Monitor the actions of
officeholders to insure
that they are honest
and hardworking
Help
Citizens
Educate citizens
about issues
 Offer
opportunities for
citizens to be
involved in the
political process.

Left
Democrats
Center
Moderates
Right
Republicans
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“Liberal”
On the left
Support government financed programs to
help the poor
Emphasize domestic programs
More/Expanded Government
Supported by workers, laborers, lower and
middle income levels
“Conservative”
On the Right
Support individual initiative and economic
growth to help the poor
 Emphasize foreign policy and a strong military
 Less/Limited Government
 Gain support from big businesses and upper
income levels
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A person who avoids the
extremes of either party
The American political system is dominated
by the Democrats and the Republicans; but
third parties play an important role.
Similarities
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Have both liberal and
conservative views
Organize to win elections
Appeal to the political
center
Influence public policies
Reflect citizens views
Want to associate with
many people to get more
votes
Differences
Party
Platforms
(positions on
major issues)

Often form to promote specific social,
economic, or moral issue
 Have difficulty winning elections

Independent= do not belong to one of 2
major parties
Third parties play an
important role in American
politics.
Introduce new ideas
Support a particular issue
Revolve around a person (Ross Perot;
Ralph Nadar)
 Rarely win elections
 Change the outcome on an election
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Ross Perot
Reform Party
Ralph Nader
Green Party
Teddy RooseveltProgressive party
# of Senators
+
# of
Representatives
=
_________________

The President and
the Vice President are
elected by a majority
vote in the Electoral
College.

Each state has the same
# of electoral votes
number of electors as it
in each state
does Congress Members

538 Total Electoral
Votes

270 Electoral votes
needed to win the
election
WHY
Why do we
need
electors?
What made the
framers of the
Constitution create
this system for the
election of the
President and VicePresident?
Representation
Question for the
framers:
How to balance
power between the
large and small
states?
 Result:
Electoral votes
for each state
are determined
by population
Fear
Issue for the framers:
People are not educated
enough to make a good
decision.
Result: Electors who were
educated about the process
would make the official
vote.
Knowledge
Issue for the framers:
Voters do not know about
candidates from other
states.
Result: Using electors would
keep people from only
voting for candidates from
their state.
Electoral College
The President and the Vice President are elected by a
majority vote in the electoral college.
Each state has the
same number of
electors as it does
Congress Members
# of Senators
+
# of Representatives =
____________________
# of electoral votes in
each state
Process
Each party picks
electors who
promise to vote for
their party’s
candidate.
Popular vote: first
Tuesday after the
first Monday in
November
Winner take all
system
Electoral Vote:
December
The candidate with
most votes in a
state wins all of
the electoral
votes for that
state.
Electors cast the
official votes for
President and Vice
President.
Process
Effect of the Electoral
College on Campaigns
Candidates
Small states can make
concentrate on states the difference in close
with more electoral
elections
votes (California, New
York)
Favors a 2-party
It is possible to tie
(269 electoral votes
system
each)
What if… no candidate
receives 270 votes?
A TIE!!!
House of
Representatives
selects the
President
Senate
selects the Vice
President
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What are some ways the media influences
elections?
What is propaganda?
Do you think celebrity endorsements affect
voters?
T.V.
Radio
Newspapers
Internet
The editorial
section of the
newspaper
 a televised debate
or T.V. program
can provide
candidates and
experts a way to
present opposing
viewpoints on the
issues.

Air Different
Points of
View
Call Attention to  By printing articles
Important Issues or airing stories
about a particular
issue, the media is
able to create
interest in a topic
where none existed.
Government
officials and
candidates use the
media to
communicate
with the public.

Identify candidates &
their platforms
(stand/opinion on
the issues)
How can voters
evaluate
speeches,
literature and
advertisements
for accuracy?
BY:
Separating fact from
opinion
 Detecting bias
 Evaluating sources of
information
 Identifying
propaganda
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Glittering Generalities
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Bandwagon
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Stacked Cards
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Name Calling
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“Just Plain Folks”
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Sounds good, but is essentially meaningless
“A vote for Mallory Williams is a
vote for North Carolina’s values.”
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convincing people that everyone else agrees
with a certain candidate/idea, so that they
will join in; appeals to many people’s desire to
be on the winning side
“The latest poll shows that the
majority of people support Mallory
Williams for President.”
Everyone’s
Doing It!
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Presents only one side of the issue, can
distort the facts. Uses facts to favor an
opinion
“Mallory Williams is clearly the most
qualified candidate.”
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Obama worked as a community
organizer immediately after
graduation.
He also worked as a university
professor, political activist, and
lawyer before serving in the
Illinois Senate from 1997 to
2004.
He was propelled to stardom by
giving the 2004 democratic
convention keynote speech.
Obama has sponsored bills
ranging from lobbying and
electoral fraud, climate change,
weapons control, nuclear
terrorism, and better veterans
care.
McCain has never voted for
a tax increase.
 McCain will continue the
Bush tax cuts,
 McCain will not cut and run
in Iraq,
 McCain sponsored
legislation to keep the
Fairness Doctrine from
rearing its head again,
 McCain supports school
choice

An attempt to turn people against
an opponent or idea by associating
an unpleasant label or description
“Candidate Sawyer Smith is corrupt and
caters to special interest groups.”
Candidates describe themselves as regular
people; average, hard working citizens to
make people think that the candidate has
same concerns
“Vote for Mallory Williams, who
understands the problems of America.”
“Bill Clinton says, “Mallory Williams is a
candidate you can trust. She has my
vote!”
An endorsement from a
celebrity.
06oENya4
fundraiser
How individuals, interest groups and the media influence
the actions of the government.
What influences
people’s
opinions??
•Family & Friends
•Media (Print and
T.V.)
•Importance
PACs
Political Action
Committees
Established to
raise money to
support an issue or
candidate
MEDIA
The media influences public
policy by:
•Bringing attention to issues
oShowing different views on issues
oHolding candidates accountable
oAllowing officials to communicate with
citizens
Public Policy is influenced by:
Individuals
•Vote
•campaign
•Keep informed
•Express Opinions
by:
-Writing letters
to politicians
-Demonstrating
-Lobbying
•Join interest
groups
Interest Groups
•Identify and publicize
issues
•Offer different
viewpoints
•Lobby
•Donate Money $$$
Media
•Draws
attention to
issues
•Shows
different views
on issues
•Holds
candidates
accountable
•Allows officials
to communicate
with citizens
Political Action Committees
oPACs are the political branch of a
special interest group.
oPACs raise voluntary donations of
money from people who agree with their
cause.
oThey give money to elections
campaigns of people they support and to
the political party that will work for
their goals.
One purpose of political
parties is to
A. cast electoral votes.
B. set the age for voting.
C. administer literacy tests.
D. recruit and nominate
candidates for public office.
A candidate needs _________ to win
the presidency
A. 270 Electoral votes
B. the majority of the popular vote
C. a majority vote in the House of
Representatives
D. All of the above
The president is chosen by the
House of Representatives if
A. different candidates win the popular vote
and the electoral vote
B. no candidate wins the majority in the
Electoral College
C. the candidate with the most votes is
already a member of congress
D. there is widespread electoral fraud
A political candidate who accuses
his or her opponent of "reckless
spending" is using the
A. name-calling technique.
B. glittering generality technique.
C. plain-folks appeal.
D. card-stacking technique.
This type of election has the highest
voter turn out:
A. mayoral
B. gubernatorial
C. congressional
D. presidential
Which of the following is NOT a
strategy to use when evaluating
campaign ads?
A. believe propaganda
B. evaluate sources of information
C. separate fact and opinion
D. detect bias
Which of the following is a voting
requirement in Virginia?
A. 21 years of age
B. US citizen and a resident of VA
C. passage of DMV test
D. pass a literacy test
An organization made up of people who
share similar ideas about how the
government should be run are:
A. Interest Groups
B. Political Parties
C. Political Action Committees
D. candidates
Which of the following is NOT a
similarity of Republicans and
Democrats?
A. Organize to win elections
B. party Platforms
C. Appeal to the political center
D. Influence public opinion
During an examination for
naturalization, an applicant must
A. prove that he or she can read, write, and speak
English acceptably.
B. show that he or she believes in the principles of
the U.S. Constitution.
C. prove that he or she knows something about U.S.
history and government.
D. all of the above
The U.S. federal system of
government was established by
A. Magna Carta.
B. the Constitution.
C. the Articles of Confederation.
D. the English Bill of Rights
The statement "to secure the
blessings of liberty" is
A. listed in the Mayflower Compact.
B. one of the six goals of government stated
in the Preamble.
C. the opening statement of the Declaration
of Independence.
D. found in the Articles of Confederation.
One of the basic ideals of American
government is that
A. government should be based on the
consent of the governed.
B. majority rule can be overruled by
presidential veto.
C. the Constitution should be easily
amended.
D. the executive branch should be the most
powerful branch.
What would happen if a proposed
amendment were not ratified by
three fourths of the states?
A. It could be ratified by two thirds of the states.
B. The president could ratify the amendment.
C. Congress could ratify the amendment.
D. The amendment would not be added to the
Constitution.
If the president vetoes a proposed
law,
A. it can never become law.
B. Congress can override the veto with a twothirds vote of both houses.
C. the proposed law is sent to state
conventions for approval.
D. the Supreme Court has the power to pass
the law anyway.
The most important function of
political parties is to:
A. Help candidates win elections
B. Monitor the actions of officeholders
C. set party goals
D. Help citizens
Techniques used to influence
opinion are called:
A. Editorials
B. Propaganda
C. Commentaries
D. Ads
The First Amendment guarantees
A. freedom of speech.
B. the right to bear arms.
C. freedom from unreasonable searches and
seizures.
D. protection against self-incrimination.
All of the following are true of the
Articles of Confederation EXCEPT
A. it created a weak central government.
B. the national government had no power to
tax.
C. it gave no power to enforce laws.
D. the states had little power.
The federal government and the state
governments share all of the following
powers EXCEPT the power to
A. establish courts.
B. borrow money.
C. punish lawbreakers.
D. coin money.
Which of the following is NOT a
power of the legislative branch?
A. interpreting the meaning of a law
B. passing laws
C. overriding presidential vetoes
D. approving appointments of federal court
judges
Which of the following is not a
function of political parties?
A. recruiting and nominating candidates
B. educating the public about campaign
issues
C. monitoring the actions of office holders
D. nominating Supreme Court justices
How does the media influence
policy makers?
A. by broadcasting the state of the union
address
B. by criticizing the news coverage of other
media sources
C. by organizing debates among leading
entertainers.
D. by drawing attention to a particular issue
and arousing public concern
Democrats:
A. want the government to provide public benefits
to assist the poor.
B. want less government activity.
C. believe that public benefits should be provided
by the private sector.
D. are typically backed by small farmers and the
business community.
Third parties:
A. are not found in American politics.
B. typically revolve around a political
personality.
C. receive a lot of attention from the media.
D. All of the above
Political Parties:
A. organize to win elections.
B. influence public opinion
C. appeal to the political center to win
majority support.
D. All of the above
The majority of Americans are:
A. Moderate
B. Conservative
C. Liberal
D. Reactionary
Republicans tend to be
A. Radical
B. Conservative
C. Liberal
D. Socialist
To be elected, a presidential candidate
must
A. win both the popular vote and the
electoral vote.
B. win the popular vote.
C. receive 270 electoral votes
D. win the popular vote in the state of Florida
Democrats tend to be:
A. Conservative
B. Radical
C. Liberal
D. Right-Winged
The "glittering generalities"
technique uses
A. beautiful pictures to sell an idea.
B. words that sound good but have little
meaning.
C. the faces of famous people to sway public
opinion.
D. soothing music and subliminal messages
to persuade people.
Sports figures appearing on a box of cereal is
an example of which propaganda
technique?
A. testimonial
B. bandwagon
C. plain-folks appeal
D. glittering generalities
The main reason that so few people in
the United States vote is that
A. it is not convenient for most people to get
to the polls.
B. most people are not registered to vote.
C. most people lack interest
D. most people do not prefer one candidate
over another.
A political candidate who describes herself as
an "ordinary, hard-working citizen" is using
A. name-calling.
B. card stacking.
C. the bandwagon approach.
D. a plain-folks appeal.
Each state has a total number of
electors
A. equal to its total number of
congressmembers.
B. equal to each of the other states.
C. equal to the number of its state legislators.
D. based on its voter turnout in previous
elections.
The Democratic and Republican Parties do all
of the following EXCEPT
A. organize to win elections.
B. raise money to pay for campaign expenses.
C. establish state qualifications for voting.
D. Reflect both liberal and conservative views
. A presidential candidate of the Democratic Party
wins 51 percent of the popular vote. Which of the
following statements is correct?
A. The candidate must next be confirmed by the
Senate and the House of Representatives.
B. The candidate will become president.
C. The candidate will become president only with a
majority of electoral college votes.
D. A runoff election must be held to determine the
new president.
You have just turned 18 years old. The first
thing you will have to do before you are
allowed to vote is
A. take a literacy test.
B. register to vote.
C. join a political party.
D. prove that you have completed high school.
One purpose of political parties is to
A. cast electoral votes.
B. set the age for voting.
C. administer literacy tests.
D. recruit and nominate candidates for public
office.