Post on 11-Jan-2016
transcript
Essential Question:
How does citizen involvement play a part in a functioning democracy and what responsibilities do “good” citizens have?
Learning Target:
Compare how different parties and party systems best represent the needs
of the people.
Political Parties
(def.) – group of citizens with similar views on public issuesWork together to put their ideas in
actionNominate candidates
Two-Party system
two main political parties in U.S.U.S. has hundreds of smaller parties
Democrats v. Republicans share almost equal strength since Civil
WarBoth parties try to attract as many voters
as possibleNeither wants to be considered too
‘extreme’ and scare voters over to the “other side”
Democrats
Liberal – favoring gradual reform to extend democracy, distribute wealth more evenly, and protect individuals personal freedoms (Encarta Dictionary on-line)
believes that the government should have more control of the peopleSocial programs – welfare, social
security, etc.
Republicans
Conservative – in favor of preserving traditional values and customs, and against abrupt change
Wants to reduce the power of the federal governmentSocial programs should be created by
state and local governments
Multi-party systems – more than 2 strong political partiesCoalition (def.) - Two or more political
parties must agree to compromise & work together
If a coalition that is in control breaks apart because of disagreement the government is often left weakened.
One-party systems – single party controls the gov’tLaw usually forbids all other political
parties
Party Organization
Political parties exist to nominate and elects candidates to office
Must be organized at national, state and local levels with committees
Committees are headed by a chairperson
National & State Committees
largest party committeeNational chairperson is typically chosen
by party presidential candidateChooses date & location for party’s
national convention2012 Democrats – Charlotte, North Carolina2012 Republicans – Tampa, Florida
State committees organize party campaigns within their stateChairperson is often a member of the national
committee
Local Organization
Committees are responsible for all local campaigns
All counties, cities, etc. are divided into voting districts (precints)
All voters within one precinct vote at the same polling place.
http://www.murrayky.gov/planning/gis/maps/precincts.pdf
http://www.ci.gulfport.ms.us/images/Gulfport_Precinct.pdf
Financing Campaigns
2008 presidential election (cnn.com)Obama - $639,174,281McCain - $306,167,823
Voters, business groups, labor unions, etc. all contribute to political parties
Campaign Contributions are limited by several laws aimed at reformBipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) -2002
Candidates must report the name of every individual that contributes more than $200
Individual contributions capped @ $2,100
Public Financing
Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) – 1972
Created a Presidential election campaign fundAmerican’s can contribute $3 of taxes to the
election fundMoney is distributed to candidates
Presidential candidate trying to win nomination must first raise $5,000 in private contributions from at least 20 states
After winning the nomination presidential candidates may only use public funding or private funding, not both.
Becoming a voter
U.S. citizens may vote in national, state and local elections when 18Cannot be denied based on race, color, sex
Voter registration protects your right to voteNo one can vote more than once, or claim
to have someone vote for themVoters may register as members of a
political parties or as an independent
ElectionsPrimary elections – late spring or early
summerChoose party candidates that will run laterClosed primary – only voters registered with
the party may choose party candidatesOpen primary – voters may vote for candidates
of either major partyGeneral elections – leaders chosen from
choices offered by political partiesDate set by Congress – 1st Tuesday after the 1st
Monday of NovemberPresidential – every 4 yrs. Congressional – every 2 yrs.
VotingEarly 1800’s – voice vote (out loud)1888 – secret ballot – paper with
candidates names listed on itPunch cards, direct recording electronic,
etc.Law requires that employers give
employees time to go voteStraight ticket voting – voting for all the
candidates of one partySplit ticket voting – voting for candidates
of more than one political party
SQ3R
3 things that really interested you
2 questions
1 theme or main concept
Chapter 10 Section 4
Nominating & Electing leaders
Has the presidential candidate ever won the
popular vote and not been elected president by the
Electoral College?
1876 – Rutherford B. Hayes v. Samuel J. Tilden
1888 – Benjamin Harrison v. Grover Cleveland
2000 – George Bush v. Al GoreCandidate Popular Vote Electoral College
George Bush 50,456,002 271
Al Gore 50,999,897 266
Electoral College
popular vote – vote of the citizens of a country
Electors – people chosen from each state and the District of Columbia to formally select the President & Vice-President
538 electors Each state has same # of electors as
members of CongressDistrict of Columbia has 3 representatives
Before election Political party selects electors who promise to
vote for party’s presidential candidate
Example:If a Dem. wins a majority of a states votes, the
democratic electors cast the states electoral votes
Electors are not required by law to vote for the parties candidate
Few weeks after the election the electors meet and cast their ballots.
Results are sent to and counted by Congress Candidate that receives the majority – over 270 –
becomes president
If no candidate receives a majority of the votes the House of Representatives chooses from 3 top candidatesCongress has only had to choose twice – 1800,
1824
Nomination ProcessParty nominating conventions are
held the summer before an electionEach state sends delegates to nat.
convention to nominate candidates for Pres. and V.P.Delegates vote for parties candidates
Parties try to win support for their platform and candidatePlatform (def.) – statement on the
parties views and beliefs