chapter 10 electing leaders

HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON11

CIVICSCIVICS IN PRACTICEIN PRACTICEHOLTHOLT

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Electing LeadersElecting LeadersSection 1:Section 1: A TwoA Two--Party SystemParty SystemSection 2:Section 2: Political Party OrganizationPolitical Party OrganizationSection 3:Section 3: The Right to VoteThe Right to VoteSection 4:Section 4: Nominating and Electing LeadersNominating and Electing Leaders



The Main IdeaPolitical 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??

Section 1:Section 1: A Two-Party SystemA Two-Party System



Political parties in the United States:Political parties in the United States: Way for large groups with similar ideas to get Way for large groups with similar ideas to get

things donethings done Take positions on public issues and work to Take positions on public issues and work to

pass lawspass laws Allows individuals to have a stronger voice Allows individuals to have a stronger voice

within a groupwithin a group Parties must compromise and work togetherParties must compromise and work together




The development of political parties in The development of political parties in the United States:the United States: FederalistsFederalists——believed in strengthening the central governmentbelieved in strengthening the central government Antifederalists (DemocraticAntifederalists (Democratic--Republicans) tried to limit the Republicans) tried to limit the

power of the federal government.power of the federal government. 1820s1820s——Andrew Jackson led the Democratic Party; Andrew Jackson led the Democratic Party;

determined the government should represent the “common determined the government should represent the “common people”people”

18541854——Republican Party formed by antislavery groups; Republican Party formed by antislavery groups; nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860




One-party and two-party political One-party and two-party political systems:systems: OneOne--party systemsparty systems——dictatorships or totalitarian dictatorships or totalitarian

governments; one group or person has power; governments; one group or person has power; people do not have essential freedomspeople do not have essential freedoms

TwoTwo--party systemsparty systems——create stable governments; create stable governments; allow for majority rule; voters have a choiceallow for majority rule; voters have a choice




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

SECTION 1

Usually a totalitarian government

Usually an unlimited government

A government unrestrained by the people

Opposition parties illegal

Usually restrictive of civil and political rights

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

One-Party System Two-Party System



The Main IdeaPolitical 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?

Section 2:Section 2: Political Party OrganizationPolitical Party Organization



Party committees and their responsibilities:Party committees and their responsibilities: National committeeNational committee——sets dates, rules, and location of national sets dates, rules, and location of national

convention; publishes and distributes literature; arranges convention; publishes and distributes literature; arranges speakers; aids presidential candidatespeakers; aids presidential candidate

State central committeesState central committees——supervise operations within the supervise operations within the states; maintain harmony and organization; raise money and states; maintain harmony and organization; raise money and aid candidatesaid candidates

Local committeesLocal committees——conduct campaigns; recommend conduct campaigns; recommend appointments and candidates; raise money; crucial to party appointments and candidates; raise money; crucial to party success; success; precinct captainsprecinct captains encourage voters to cast ballots for encourage voters to cast ballots for the party’s candidatesthe party’s candidates




Money and RegulationsMoney and Regulations Private contributions make up a large percentage of Private contributions make up a large percentage of

funds.funds. Business groups, labor unions and other groups Business groups, labor unions and other groups

also contribute.also contribute. Large fundLarge fund--raising events are held by each party.raising events are held by each party. Fear of corruption prompted Congress to regulate Fear of corruption prompted Congress to regulate

the size of donations.the size of donations.




Federal Election Campaign ActFederal Election Campaign Act 19721972——Federal Election Campaign Act passed to Federal Election Campaign Act passed to

lessen the possibility of corruptionlessen the possibility of corruption FECA limits size of contributions and requires a FECA limits size of contributions and requires a

report of donors.report of donors. Soft moneySoft money remains difficult to monitor. remains difficult to monitor. The The Presidential Election Campaign FundPresidential Election Campaign Fund gives gives

public funds to qualified candidates who can then public funds to qualified candidates who can then no longer receive private donations.no longer receive private donations.




Question:What are the responsibilities of each of the committees, and how do they help their major political party?

SECTION 2

National Committee Selects the site and date for the national nominating convention Sets rules for convention Helps presidential candidate with election

Local Committees 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

State Central Committees Supervises party’s operations within each state Maintains party harmony Helps raise money for political campaigns



The Main IdeaThe 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?

Section 3:Section 3: The Right to VoteThe Right to Vote



Voting Rights in U.S. ElectionsVoting Rights in U.S. Elections All U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible 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, States cannot deny the right to vote based on race,

color, or sex.color, or sex. The Voting Rights Act protects voters’ rights.The Voting Rights Act protects voters’ rights. Disqualified voters include prison inmates, mentally Disqualified voters include prison inmates, mentally

incompetent persons, electionincompetent persons, election--law violators, and law violators, and persons with no established residence.persons with no established residence.

Voters must register prior to an election.Voters must register prior to an election.




Primary ElectionsPrimary Elections

Allows registered voters to choose the party Allows registered voters to choose the party candidatescandidates

Closed primary:Closed primary: only party members can vote only party members can vote for each party’s candidatefor each party’s candidate

Open primary:Open primary: voters can vote for either voters can vote for either party’s candidatesparty’s candidates




General ElectionsGeneral Elections

Registered voters choose the leaders.Registered voters choose the leaders. Organizations, newspapers, radio, television, Organizations, newspapers, radio, television,

and magazines help inform voters.and magazines help inform voters.




Changes in the voting process:Changes in the voting process: Early 1800sEarly 1800s——voting was by voicevoting was by voice 18881888——secret ballots adopted to ensure fairness secret ballots adopted to ensure fairness

and honestyand honesty 1960s1960s——Mechanical lever machines were most Mechanical lever machines were most

commoncommon Punchcards, markPunchcards, mark--sense, and direct recording sense, and direct recording

electronic systems are other paperelectronic systems are other paper--ballot ballot alternatives.alternatives.




Question: What are the various voting methods currently used across the country?

SECTION 3

Voting Methods

Paper ballotMechanical

lever machines

Marksense (optical scan)

DRE system

Suggestions?



The Main IdeaEvery 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??

Section 4:Section 4: Nominating and Electing LeadersNominating and Electing Leaders



National nominating conventions and National nominating conventions and choosing delegates:choosing delegates: Delegates are elected in primaries or selected by party Delegates are elected in primaries or selected by party

leaders.leaders. Additional delegates are determined by different Additional delegates are determined by different

formulas.formulas. Parties agree on a platform and select a candidate at Parties agree on a platform and select a candidate at

national conventions.national conventions. Conventions are huge, televised events intended to Conventions are huge, televised events intended to

spread the party’s message to voters.spread the party’s message to voters.




The nomination process at the national The nomination process at the national conventions:conventions: StateState--byby--state roll call and nominating speeches for candidatesstate roll call and nominating speeches for candidates Favorite sons or daughtersFavorite sons or daughters nominated to honor or delay nominated to honor or delay

decisiondecision Balloting of the delegates ensues until candidate is chosenBalloting of the delegates ensues until candidate is chosen Delegates nominate the vice president based on ability win Delegates nominate the vice president based on ability win

votesvotes Presidential candidates have the strongest voice regarding the Presidential candidates have the strongest voice regarding the

choice for vice president.choice for vice president.




Methods of presidential campaigning:Methods of presidential campaigning: Television and other media advertise Television and other media advertise

candidates’ views.candidates’ views. Presidential debates (televised since 1960s)Presidential debates (televised since 1960s) Computers offer online campaigning.Computers offer online campaigning. PersonalPersonal--appearance toursappearance tours Telephone campaigning urges citizens to vote.Telephone campaigning urges citizens to vote.




The main purpose of the electoral college:The main purpose of the electoral college: Electors cast the official votes for presidency Electors cast the official votes for presidency

based on the popular vote in each state.based on the popular vote in each state. The framers of the Constitution worried citizens The framers of the Constitution worried citizens

would not be able to choose wise leaders.would not be able to choose wise leaders. The relevancy of the electoral college today is in The relevancy of the electoral college today is in

debate.debate.

Section 4:Section 4: Nominating and Electing Our LeadersNominating and Electing Our Leaders



Question: What events occur between the time a person announces candidacy and inauguration?

SECTION 4

Announces candidacy

National Nominating

Conventions

Presidential Election Day

Votes counted before a Joint

Session of Congress

Presidential Primaries Campaigning Electors

Vote Inauguration



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?

chapter 10 electing leaders

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