Political Parties, Political Participation, Campaigns and Elections

Agenda

The purpose and functions of political parties.The many ways citizens can participate in the campaign and election.The functions and purpose of caucuses and primary elections in political campaigns, specifically presidential election.The role the national political party conventions play in presidential election.The presidential general election campaign process, along with the important factors and events that influence it.The role the media (TV, radio, internet, social media) plays in modern political campaigns.The role and influence of money in the modern political campaign.

Roles and Functions of Political Parties

In charge of nominating candidates for public officeHelps with informing and stimulating their members interest/participationHelps to ensure good performance of their candidates and office holdersIn charge of government functions, such as passing lawsActs as “watchdog” over the conduct of the public’s interestIn charge of informing citizens

Types of Political Parties

Two Major Parties:Democrat (Liberal)Republican (Conservative)

Figure 1. The dominance of two major political parties in US

Types of Political Parties (Cont.)

Minor Parties (Most Recognized):Constitution PartyLibertarian PartyGreen PartyIndependent

Figure 2. Third party platforms

How Citizens Participate in Campaigns and Elections

Signing petitionsVoting in local, state, and federal electionsVolunteer for a political partyContribute money to a party/candidateStay updated on news about party and candidatesWrite letters to party leaders

Figure 3. The Campaign

Figure 4. Don’t forget to vote

Purpose of Caucuses

The Caucus:Organized by political partiesMeeting of supporters of a specific political partyElect delegates they believe should be candidates in the election

Figure 5. Caucus Training Party

Purpose of Primary Elections

Primary Election:Method of selecting a candidate, similar to general electionOrganized event by state government where secret ballots are cast by voters to choose a candidateWhoever received the majority vote wins

Figure 6. Primary Day 2018

Role of National Political Party Convention

Officially nominate the president and vice president candidatesBuilds more support for the candidateOutline the party’s beliefs and principles with a party platformAgree on rules and procedures to govern the nominating process

Figure 7. Political Convention

What is the Presidential ElectionCampaign?

In the United States, there are presidential elections every 4 years.These elections include both a primary election and a general election.With the primary election, the major political parties review candidates to elect the best candidate.The chosen candidate in each major political party with then go onto the general election.

Presidential General Election Campaign Process

Traveling to different states around the countryHolding ralliesDebates with opponentAdvertisementsHoping to gain support of voters

Figure 8. Campaign Vectors

Factors and Events that Influence Presidential Campaign

Campaign CostsTimeThe chosen candidate for the party

Figure 9. Rules on Presidential Campaign Financing

Factors and Events that Influence Presidential Campaign (Cont.)

Media InfluenceThe citizensThe different regions

Figure 10. Business Lessons from the 2016 Presidential Campaign

Figure 11. Presidential Election Process

Role the Media Plays in Modern Political Campaigns

Choosing with candidates to coverPolitical biases in coverageSocial media

Figure 12. Election 2016: How To Win Friends And Influence Voters On Social Media

Role the Media Plays in Modern Political Campaigns (Cont.)

Pictures are worth 1,000 wordsData journalism: Fact checkingWatchdogs of democracy

Figure 13. Fact Check

The Role of Money in the Modern Political Campaign

Big influence in political partiesMoney can come from candidate, party, or individualsMore money spent, means more likely to reach votersIncreases competitionWealthy people or groups can influence votersCandidates have to appeal to their needs and interests

Figure 14. How 2016 Compares to 56 Years of Presidential Campaign Spending

Conclusion

We can see how political parties, campaigns, and elections are all part of the political process.The perks of these processes, is that the people have the opportunity for their voices to be heard.We are able to vote for the presidential candidate that has similar views on issues and politics.Media and money both have big roles in the modern president campaigns, in both positive and negative ways.

Figure 15. Your Vote Your Voice

References

Five Roles of Political Parties(n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.lcps.org/cms/lib4/VA01000195/Centricity/Domain/16447/One%20Big%20Party_0%202.pdf List of political parties in the United States(n.d.). Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_political_parties_in_the_United_States Figure 1. The dominance of two major political parties in the US. Adapted from “Millennial Speech & Debate”, by Stefan Bauschard, 2016, retrieved from https://ld.millennialsd.com/2016/08/27/bibliography-the-dominance-of-two-major-political-parties-in-the-u-s-presidential-elections-undermines-democracy-2/Figure 2. Third party platforms. Adapted from “KQED News”, by Joey Kahn, 2015, retrieved from https://www.kqed.org/lowdown/19498/where-do-americas-third-parties-stand-on-key-national-issues-downloadable-chartFigure 3. The Campaign. Adapted from “More than the Curve”, 2014, retrieved from https://morethanthecurve.com/so-who-wants-to-run-for-conshohockens-borough-council/the-campaign/

References (Cont.)

Figure 4. Don’t forget to vote. Adapted from “APIA Vote”, 2017, retrieved from http://www.apiavote.org/newsletter/dont-forget-vote-important-june-election-datesPrimaries and Caucuses (2019). Retrieved from https://billofrightsinstitute.org/engage/student-resources/think-the-vote/primaries-and-caucuses/ Figure 5. Caucus Training Party. Adapted from “Kingfield”, 2018, retrieved from https://kingfield.org/event/caucus-training-party/Figure 6. Primary Day 2018. Adapted from “FingerLakes”, 2018, retrieved from https://fingerlakes1.com/2018/09/13/primary-day-2018-voters-take-to-polls-to-set-november-elections/McCleary, K. (2016). Political Conventions 101: How They Work and Why They’re Important . Retrieved from https://parade.com/489087/kmccleary/political-conventions-101-how-they-work-and-why-theyre-important/ 

References (Cont.)

Figure 7. Political Convention. Adapted from “ThoughtCo”, Robert Longley, 2018, retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/political-party-conventions-day-by-day-3322057Figure 8. Campaign Vectors. Adapted from “Freepik”, retrieved from https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/presidential-election-composition-with-flat-design_3005577.htmFigure 9. Rules on Presidential Campaign Financing. Adapted from “ProPublica”, Sharon Coutts, 2008, retrieved from https://www.propublica.org/article/what-are-the-rules-on-presidential-campaign-financing-anyway-917 Figure 10. Business Lessons from the 2016 Presidential Campaign. Adapted from “Strand Consulting”, 2018, retrieved from https://strandconsulting.net/business-lessons-presidential-campaign-2016/Figure 11. Presidential Election Process. Adapted from “Presidential Election Process”, retrieved from https://www.usa.gov/election

References (Cont.)

Brichacek, A. (n.d.). Six ways the media influence elections. Retrieved from https://journalism.uoregon.edu/news/six-ways-media-influences-elections Figure 12. Election 2016: How To Win Friends And Influence Voters On Social Media. Adapted from “Forbes”, 2015, retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/propointgraphics/2016/02/25/election2016-how-to-win-friends-and-influence-voters-on-social-media/#137b871a1c1dFigure 13. Fact Check. Adapted from “Liberal Dictionary”, retrieved from http://www.liberaldictionary.com/fact-check/ Democracy Matters. (2019). The Role of Money in Politics. Retrieved from http://www.democracymatters.org/organizing-tools/the-role-of-money-in-politics/ Figure 14. How 2016 Compares to 56 Years of Presidential Campaign Spending. Adapted from “Huff Post”, Max Galka, 2016, Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/56-years-of-presidential-campaign-spending-how-2016_b_5820bf9ce4b0334571e09fc1Figure 15. Your Vote Your Voice. Adapted from “Your Vote Your Voice”, retrieved from http://yourvoteyourvoice.org