CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT
Chapter 10
Electing Leaders
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:
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A Two-Party System
Political Party Organization
The Right to Vote
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 oneparty political systems?
 What impact have third parties had on the United
States?
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CIVICS
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Political Parties & Congress
[01:35]
IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: A Two-Party System
Political parties in the United States:
 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 Formation of the Two-Party System [01:11]
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Section 1: A Two-Party System
The development of political parties in
the United States:
 Federalists—believed in strengthening the central government
 Antifederalists (Democratic-Republicans) tried to limit the
power of the federal government.
 1820s—Andrew Jackson led the Democratic Party;
determined the government should represent the “common
people”
 1854—Republican Party formed by antislavery groups;
nominated Abraham Lincoln for president in 1860
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 1: A Two-Party System
One-party and two-party political
systems:
 One-party systems—dictatorships or totalitarian
governments; one group or person has power;
people do not have essential freedoms
 Two-party systems—create stable governments;
allow for majority rule; voters have a choice
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SECTION 1
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Question: What are the differences between
one- and two-party systems?
One-Party System
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Two-Party System
 Usually a totalitarian
government
 Usually forms a stable
government
 Usually an unlimited
government
 Usually a limited
government
 A government
unrestrained by the
people
 Composed of a diverse
group of people who share
similar political beliefs
 Opposition parties
illegal
 Elections are based on a
“winner take all” format
 Usually restrictive of
civil and political rights
 Usually civil and political
rights are protected
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CIVICS
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Third Parties & the U.S. Political
System [04:16]
IN PRACTICE
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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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CIVICS
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Review of the Election
[00:53]
INProcess
PRACTICE
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 2: Political Party Organization
Party committees and their responsibilities:
 National committee—sets dates, rules, and location of
national convention; publishes and distributes literature;
arranges speakers; aids presidential candidate
 State central committees—supervise operations within the
states; maintain harmony and organization; raise money and
aid candidates
 Local committees—conduct campaigns; recommend
appointments and candidates; raise money; crucial to party
success; precinct captains encourage voters to cast ballots for
the party’s candidates
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Section 2: Political Party Organization
Money and Regulations
 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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Section 2: Political Party Organization
Federal Election Campaign Act
 1972—Federal 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
CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Question:
What are the responsibilities of each of the committees,
and how do they help their major political party?
National Committee
 Selects the site and date for the national nominating convention
 Sets rules for convention
 Helps presidential candidate with election
State Central Committees
 Supervises party’s operations within each state
 Maintains party harmony
 Helps raise money for political campaigns
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
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Primary Elections IN
[00:33]
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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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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Section 3: The Right to Vote
Voting Rights in U.S. Elections
 All U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to
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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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Section 3: The Right to Vote
Primary Elections
 Allows registered voters to choose the party
candidates
 Closed primary: only party members can vote
for each party’s candidate
 Open primary: voters can vote for either
party’s candidates
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Section 3: The Right to Vote
General Elections
 Registered voters choose the leaders.
 Organizations, newspapers, radio, television,
and magazines help inform voters.
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Section 3: The Right to Vote
Changes in the voting process:
 Early 1800s—voting was by voice
 1888—secret ballots adopted to ensure fairness
and honesty
 1960s—Mechanical lever machines were most
common
 Punchcards, mark-sense, and direct recording
electronic systems are other paper-ballot
alternatives.
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SECTION 3
HOLT
Question: What are the various voting methods
currently used across the country?
Paper ballot
Mechanical
lever machines
Voting
Methods
Marksense
(optical scan)
DRE system
Suggestions?
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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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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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 4: Nominating and Electing Leaders
National nominating conventions and
choosing delegates:
 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 party’s message to voters.
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 4: Nominating and Electing Leaders
The nomination process at the national
conventions:
 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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Campaigning for the Party Nomination [02:06]
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 4: Nominating and Electing Leaders
Methods of presidential campaigning:
 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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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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Section 4: Nominating and Electing Our Leaders
The main purpose of the electoral college:
 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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The Emergence of the Electoral
[01:57]
IN College
PRACTICE
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How the Electoral College Elects the
[01:44]
INPresident
PRACTICE
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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SECTION 4
Question: What events occur between the time a
person announces candidacy and inauguration?
Announces
candidacy
Presidential
Primaries
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National
Nominating
Conventions
Campaigning
Presidential
Election Day
Electors
Vote
Votes counted
before a Joint
Session of
Congress
Inauguration
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HOLT, RINEHART
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The Election Process [11:12]
CIVICS
IN PRACTICE
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CIVICS IN PRACTICE
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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?
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