Civics 4.2

1. nominate candidates for office

2. structure the voting choice to those who actually have a chance of winning

3. establish party platforms

party's statement of programs and policies it will pursue once candidate is in office

platform is made up on several planks

individual policy

updated every four years

delegates (representatives) from each state and US territories that meet to nominate (choose) candidates for president and vice president

most interest groups are aligned with one of two major parties

Coalitions - different groups band together to achieve political success

radical - extreme opinions

reactionary - "react" to what they see as radical changes or movements - status quo

Political Machines - state and local party organizations that choose party candidates and great influence the outcome of elections

in the past could buy votes through patronage (promising a certain position to an individual in exchange for their support)

still takes place but to the extent as before

ex. support me and you will be in my Cabinet

grassroots campaign efforts are those made by volunteers and local party members who actively educate, campaign, and encourage citizens to get out and vote for the party's candidat

General Election -November - local, state, and federal

to narrow field down primaries or primary elections held months before usually in the summer

Primary elections -voters choose from a group

No one wins a majority - runoff election