Political parties are complex organizations that serve several functions in the US political system. They organize elections, help candidates get elected, and work to advance their policy platforms. Parties have different components, including the party in government made up of elected officials, the party in the electorate of citizens who identify with the party, and formal party organizations. While parties have dominated US politics for over 200 years, minor third parties face challenges to disrupting the two-party system due to electoral and legal barriers.
17. Party Identification and Voting Straight-Ticket Voters Voters who support candidates of the same party in every election. Split-Ticket Voters Voters who support candidates of different parties in the same election or from one election to the next.
37. Third Parties in the U.S. System Ideological Parties Protest Parties Single-Issue Parties Splinter Parties
38. Ideological Parties Ideological Party Third party that exists to promote an ideology rather than to win elections In nearly every US presidential election this century the socialist parties have fielded a candidate. Image from www.sp-usa.org
39. Protest Parties Protest Parties Third party that arises in response to issues of popular concern which have not been addressed by the major parties William Jennings Bryan of the Populist Party did not win the presidency in 1896, but he came very close
41. Splinter Parties Splinter Party Third party formed by a dissatisfied faction of a major party Strom Thurmond (left) was a States’ Rights Democratic candidate for the presidency in 1948. The party formed in protest to the civil rights plan in the Democratic Party platform
