Political Parties Continued

The Party's Over

Political parties have declined in strength since the 1950s.
Independence is up since that point (Pure Independents now comprise 10-12% of the electorate) Parties appear weaker because only 60% of the public claims a partisan identification.

What's the Reason for the Partisan Decline?

Split-ticket voting
Australian ballot (the government prints the ballots and not the parties) Party column ballot (a single mark for all party candidates) Office Bloc ballot (candidates are listed by office)

Distrust in Parties (ie: Watergate) But...

Myth of the Independent Voter

Independence may be on the rise over the last half century, but those who are leaners are consistently partisan over time. There may be a rise in the number of people claiming to be independents, but there seems to be no less partisanship in the electorate.

But what about different levels of parties?

National Parties
Parties have a federated structure. National party > state party > local party
There is a divergence from the platform between each (or the potential for at least)

National Conventions: Goals:

1) to set the party platform 2) nominate presidential candidate

Meet every four years

More National Parties

National Committees: makes day to day decisions on what party should do
The parties' governing bodies Headed by national chairman

Congressional Campaign Committees

Focus on getting party members elected 4 total: 1 for each house of Congress in each party.

National Conventions
Composed of Delegates
Most are bound by primary elections, which are decided on by the national parties, state parties and state governments Most are elected in Caucuses

Types of Primaries
Closed Primary: only party registrants participate Semi-open/semi-closed primary: allows for the participation of independents. Open primary: open to everyone, but you have to choose one party and can only vote in that primary. Blanket primary: open ballot, vote for who you want in what office you want.

What's the difference between a Primary and a Caucus?

What's the difference between a Primary and a Caucus?

Primary is typically a state run affair
That, in turn means the process is more open.

Caucuses are events, the details of which, are determined by the state parties.

Formulas for Delegates

Emphasize:
Population Loyalty to party

Democrats have superdelegates, which make up about 15% of the total number of delegates.
They are not pledged and can vote for whomever they want.