Political parties in the United States nominate candidates for election through national conventions and are organized through national committees. The two main political parties are the Republican and Democratic parties, which have dominated America's two-party system and plurality voting methods, making it difficult for third parties to gain traction. Political parties represent groups with similar ideologies and seek to influence government through the election of candidates.

1. Political Parties

2. National Chairman 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Paid full-time Elected by the committee Decides who gets federal jobs

3. Superdelegates 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Overwhelming majority of elected officials Their vote is more important If a superhero worked for the government they would be this

4. Political Machine 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Characterized by a high degree of leadership control over member activity Party organization that recruits members by the use of incentives such as money and jobs At one time, many local party organizations were machines

5. Ideological Party 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Values principle above all else These groups have influenced regular parties Are mostly “third parties”

6. Solidary Incentives 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue When people get together out of game-loving instincts, they are responding to this Incentives that consist of having fun Incentives that don’t consist of money

7. Sponsored Party 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Has nothing to do with money, ideology, or fun These parties can create local party structures Parties that can be created among volunteers

8. Personal Following 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Help with financial backing and hard work A person trying to get elected will often try and form these To form this, a candidate must have an appealing personality, a lot of friends, or a big bank account

9. Two-Party System 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Only fifteen nations have this Republican and Democratic party make this Makes it hard for third parties to be successful

10. Plurality System 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Elections at every level of government are based on this system Makes it hard for third parties to win electoral votes Winner-take-all method

11. Caucus 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Only the most dedicated partisans attend: liberals, conservatives A meeting of party followers Party delegates attend these for long hours

12. Mugwumps 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue They were opposed to emphasis on patronage. They were also known as “Progressives.” Their name is quite amusing.

13. Realigning Period A time of changing party strength. 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Major shifts in the party loyalty of a group. People change their party alignment during these times.

14. Political Party 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue George Washington denounced these “factions.” They represent groups of people with similar ideologies. Nominate candidates to run for election

15. Split Ticket 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Between 1960 and 1980 this became more common. Contributed to the decline in party strength. Allowed voting for both parties at once.

16. Straight Ticket 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue A form of voting no longer in use Also known as the party-column ballot The opposite of split ticket

17. National Convention 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Ultimate authority of the party Where the party adopt its official platform Meets every four years to nominate a presidential candidate

18. National Committee 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Aids in the development of the party platform Is responsible for organizing the national convention Appointed by the national convention

19. Party-column ballot 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Was the form of voting in the nineteenth century Known as the “Indiana” ballot Makes voters vote in columns

20. Office-bloc ballot 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue Progressives persuaded states to adopt this for voting Known as a “Massachusetts” ballot Lists candidates by office

21. Minor/Third parties 3 point clue 2 point clue 1 point clue They are sometimes accused of “spoiling” elections They can cause Democrats and Republicans to change their platforms If a lot of voters sympathize with their views Are considered a “waste of votes” by many