Major Parties
What are the two main political parties in the United States?
The Democratic Party and the Republican Party
What do Democrats and Republicans need from people in order to win elections?
Votes
What is a primary election?
An election where political parties choose their candidates
What is an election?
A process where people vote to choose leaders
What type of government did the United States create after independence?
A democracy
What is the main purpose of a political party?
To help its members win elections and help decide government policies
What do Democrats and Republicans both want in the government?
Power / To win elections
What is the purpose of a primary election?
To choose a party's candidate for an election
What would happen if there were no elections?
Leaders would not be chosen by the people through voting
What is a single-issue party?
A party that focuses on one main issue
How do political parties help the government?
Political parties help organize the government, create policies, and give voters choices in elections
What do political parties help voters do?
Choose candidates to support
What is an open primary?
A primary where any registered voter can vote
Who is allowed to vote in elections?
Eligible citizens who are registered to vote
What are political parties made of?
Groups of people with similar ideas about government
What is a political platform and why is it important?
A political platform is a party's beliefs and goals.
It is important because it helps voters understand what the party believes in
What do Democrats and Republicans use to share their ideas with voters?
Campaigns
What is a closed primary?
A primary where only registered party members can vote
What role do voters play in elections?
They choose who will hold government positions
How do political parties connect citizens to the government?
By helping people vote for candidates and participate in elections
What is the difference between the Democratic and Republican parties?
The Democratic Party and Republican Party different in their views on government and political issues
Why do Democrats and Republicans have different ideas about government?
Because they have different beliefs and opinions
Why are primary elections important?
They help decide who will represent each political party in an election
Why are elections important in a democracy?
They allow citizens to choose their leaders through voting
How have political parties changed over time?
They have become more organized and active in elections over time