Political Parties & What They Do

Nearly all of the elections held in this country are single-member district elections, or contests in which only one candidate is elected to each office on the ballot. The winning candidate is the one who receives a plurality, or the largest number of votes cast for the office.

Political Parties & What They Do

There are four distinct types of minor parties in the United States. Ideological parties are those based on a particular set of beliefs—a comprehensive view of social, economic, and political matters. Although long-lived, they seldom are able to win many votes. Single-issue parties focus on one public policy matter. They fade away after the issue has been resolved, or people lose interest.

Political Parties & What They Do

Wards are the units into which cities are divided for the election of city council members. Precincts are the smallest unit of election administration.

Political Parties & What They Do

Sometimes they are able to get one of the major parties to take on their issue. Economic protest parties appear during tough financial times. They criticize the economic actions and plans of the major parties. Most of the important minor parties in American politics have been splinter parties—parties that have broken away from one of the major parties. of the major parties of the major parties