Chapter 10 Electing Leaders

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Chapter 10Electing Leaders

• Section 1 A Two-Party System
• Section 2 Political Party Organization
• Section 3 The Right to Vote
• Section 4 Nominating and Electing Leaders

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Section 1 A Two-Party System

• The Main Idea
• Political parties play an important role in the
  American democratic process. Party supporters
  put their political ideas to work at all levels
  of government.
• Reading Focus
• What is the role of political parties in the
  United States?
• What are the differences between two-party and
  one-party political systems?
• What impact have third parties had on the United
  States?

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Political parties in the United States
Section 1 A Two-Party System

• Way for large groups with similar ideas to get
  things done
• Take positions on public issues and work to pass
  laws
• Allows individuals to have a stronger voice
  within a group
• Parties must compromise and work together

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The development of political parties in the
United States
Section 1 A Two-Party System

• Federalistsbelieved in strengthening the central
  government
• Antifederalists (Democratic-Republicans) tried to
  limit the power of the federal government.
• 1820sAndrew Jackson led the Democratic Party
  determined the government should represent the
  common people
• 1854Republican Party formed by antislavery
  groups nominated Abraham Lincoln for president
  in 1860

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One-party and two-party political systems
Section 1 A Two-Party System

• One-party systemsdictatorships or totalitarian
  governments one group or person has power
  people do not have essential freedoms
• Two-party systemscreate stable governments
  allow for majority rule voters have a choice

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SECTION 1
Question What are the differences between one-
and two-party systems?

• Usually forms a stable government
• Usually a limited government
• Composed of a diverse group of people who share
  similar political beliefs
• Elections are based on a winner take all format
• ? Usually civil and political rights are protected

• Usually a totalitarian government
• Usually an unlimited government
• A government unrestrained by the people
• Opposition parties illegal
• ? Usually restrictive of civil and political
  rights

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Section 2 Political Party Organization

• The Main Idea
• Political parties have workers and committees at
  the local, state, and national levels. The party
  nominates candidates for office and campaigns to
  get those candidates elected.
• Reading Focus
• How are political parties organized?
• How do political parties operate at the local
  level?
• What are the two main sources of money for
  financing political campaigns?

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Party committees and their responsibilities
Section 2 Political Party Organization

• National committeesets dates, rules, and
  location of national convention publishes and
  distributes literature arranges speakers aids
  presidential candidate
• State central committeessupervise operations
  within the states maintain harmony and
  organization raise money and aid candidates
• Local committeesconduct campaigns recommend
  appointments and candidates raise money crucial
  to party success precinct captains encourage
  voters to cast ballots for the partys candidates

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Money and Regulations
Section 2 Political Party Organization

• Private contributions make up a large percentage
  of funds.
• Business groups, labor unions and other groups
  also contribute.
• Large fund-raising events are held by each party.
• Fear of corruption prompted Congress to regulate
  the size of donations.

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Federal Election Campaign Act
Section 2 Political Party Organization

• 1972Federal Election Campaign Act passed to
  lessen the possibility of corruption
• FECA limits size of contributions and requires a
  report of donors.
• Soft money remains difficult to monitor.
• The Presidential Election Campaign Fund gives
  public funds to qualified candidates who can then
  no longer receive private donations.

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SECTION 2
Question What are the responsibilities of each
of the committees, and how do they help their
major political party?
? Selects the site and date for the national
nominating convention ? Sets rules for
convention ? Helps presidential candidate with
election
? Supervises partys operations within each
state ? Maintains party harmony ? Helps raise
money for political campaigns
? Conducts campaigns at the local level ? Raises
money for the party and party candidates ? Makes
recommendations for political appointments ?
Precinct captains are responsible for getting
voters out to vote
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Section 3 The Right to Vote

• The Main Idea
• The right to vote is one of the most important
  rights held by U.S. citizens. It is the means
  through which citizens can most directly affect
  the actions of government.
• Reading Focus
• How do you become a voter in the United States?
• What is the difference between primary elections
  and general elections?
• How has the voting process changed over the years?

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Voting Rights in U.S. Elections
Section 3 The Right to Vote

• All U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible
  to vote.
• States cannot deny the right to vote based on
  race, color, or sex.
• The Voting Rights Act protects voters rights.
• Disqualified voters include prison inmates,
  mentally incompetent persons, election-law
  violators, and persons with no established
  residence.
• Voters must register prior to an election.

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Primary Elections
Section 3 The Right to Vote

• Allows registered voters to choose the party
  candidates
• Closed primary only party members can vote for
  each partys candidate
• Open primary voters can vote for either partys
  candidates

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General Elections
Section 3 The Right to Vote

• Registered voters choose the leaders.
• Organizations, newspapers, radio, television, and
  magazines help inform voters.

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Changes in the voting process
Section 3 The Right to Vote

• Early 1800svoting was by voice
• 1888secret ballots adopted to ensure fairness
  and honesty
• 1960sMechanical lever machines were most common
• Punchcards, mark-sense, and direct recording
  electronic systems are other paper-ballot
  alternatives.

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SECTION 3
Question What are the various voting methods
currently used across the country?
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Section 4 Nominating and Electing Leaders

• The Main Idea
• Every four years the United States elects a
  president. Citizens need to follow the
  presidential election campaign, stay informed
  about the candidates and the issues, and vote.
• Reading Focus
• What is the main purpose of the electoral
  college?
• What is the nomination process at the national
  party conventions?

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National nominating conventions and choosing
delegates
Section 4 Nominating and Electing Leaders

• Delegates are elected in primaries or selected by
  party leaders.
• Additional delegates are determined by different
  formulas.
• Parties agree on a platform and select a
  candidate at national conventions.
• Conventions are huge, televised events intended
  to spread the partys message to voters.

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The nomination process at the national
conventions
Section 4 Nominating and Electing Leaders

• State-by-state roll call and nominating speeches
  for candidates
• Favorite sons or daughters nominated to honor or
  delay decision
• Balloting of the delegates ensues until candidate
  is chosen
• Delegates nominate the vice president based on
  ability win votes
• Presidential candidates have the strongest voice
  regarding the choice for vice president.

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Methods of presidential campaigning
Section 4 Nominating and Electing Leaders

• Television and other media advertise candidates
  views.
• Presidential debates (televised since 1960s)
• Computers offer online campaigning.
• Personal-appearance tours
• Telephone campaigning urges citizens to vote.

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The main purpose of the electoral college
Section 4 Nominating and Electing Our Leaders

• Electors cast the official votes for presidency
  based on the popular vote in each state.
• The framers of the Constitution worried citizens
  would not be able to choose wise leaders.
• The relevancy of the electoral college today is
  in debate.

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SECTION 4
Question What events occur between the time a
person announces candidacy and inauguration?
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Chapter 10 Wrap-Up
1. What purposes do political parties serve, and
what are the advantages of a two-party
system? 2. What are coalition governments, and
why are they often unstable? 3. How do political
parties raise money, and how does Congress
regulate fund-raising? 4. How do presidential
candidates use public funds for their
campaigns? 5. What protections do voters receive
from the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act
of 1965? 6. How do the major political parties
select their presidential candidates? 7. Why do
some people want to replace the electoral college?