CIVICS IN PRACTICE

HOLT

Chapter 10

Electing Leaders
Section 1:
Section 2:
Section 3:
Section 4:

A Two-Party System
Political Party Organization
The Right to Vote
Nominating and Electing Leaders

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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?
2

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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
3

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 1: A Two-Party System

The development of political parties in

the United States:
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
4

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 1: A Two-Party System

One-party and two-party political

systems:
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

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

SECTION 1

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: What are the differences between

one- and two-party systems?
One-Party System

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
HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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?
7

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 2: Political Party Organization

Party committees and their responsibilities:

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
8

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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.
9

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 2: Political Party Organization

Federal Election Campaign Act

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.
10

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

SECTION 2

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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 partys operations within each state
Maintains party harmony
Helps raise money for political campaigns

Local Committees

11

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
HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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?
12

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 3: The Right to Vote

Voting Rights in U.S. Elections

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.
13

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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 partys candidate
Open primary: voters can vote for either
partys candidates
14

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 3: The Right to Vote

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

and magazines help inform voters.

15

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Section 3: The Right to Vote

Changes in the voting process:

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.
16

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

SECTION 3

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Question: What are the various voting methods

currently used across the country?
Paper ballot

Voting
Methods

Mechanical
lever machines
Marksense
(optical scan)

DRE system
Suggestions?

17

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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?
18

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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 partys message to voters.
19

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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.
20

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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.
21

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

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.

22

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

SECTION 4

Question: What events occur between the time a

person announces candidacy and inauguration?

Announces
candidacy

Presidential
Primaries

23

National
Nominating
Conventions

Campaigning

Presidential
Election Day

Electors
Vote

Votes counted
before a Joint
Session of
Congress

Inauguration

HOLT, RINEHART

AND

WINSTON

CIVICS IN PRACTICE
HOLT

Chapter10WrapUp

24

1. Whatpurposesdopoliticalpartiesserve,andwhatare
theadvantagesofatwopartysystem?
2. Whatarecoalitiongovernments,andwhyaretheyoften
unstable?
3. Howdopoliticalpartiesraisemoney,andhowdoes
Congressregulatefundraising?
4. Howdopresidentialcandidatesusepublicfundsfortheir
campaigns?
5. WhatprotectionsdovotersreceivefromtheConstitution
andtheVotingRightsActof1965?
6. Howdothemajorpoliticalpartiesselecttheir
presidentialcandidates?
7. Whydosomepeoplewanttoreplacetheelectoral
college?
HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON