This document summarizes the history and process of political parties and elections in the United States. It outlines that political parties began forming during the writing of the Constitution between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. It then describes the evolution of the major political parties from the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans to the current Republican and Democratic parties. The document also discusses third parties like the Libertarian and Independent parties. Finally, it provides an overview of the nominating and electoral processes used in the U.S., including primaries, conventions, and voting procedures.