9.2 Organization of
Political Parties
Civics and Economics
Organization

The two major parties are organized at the local,
state, and national levels; they are loosely tied
together but have roughly the same beliefs
National Organization


Each party has a national committee made up of
representatives from every state
They raise funds for presidential elections and
organize the party’s national convention
National Organization

A national party chairperson runs the committee;
their job is to manage the office, direct committee
staff, and lead fundraising efforts
RNC Chairman- Reince Priebus
Former GOP Party leader of Wisconsin
DNC Chairman- Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Representative from Florida
National Organization

The national convention is held every four years; it
is where the party nominates their candidates for
president and VP
National Organization



To win nomination you
must win a majority of
delegates before the
convention
Delegates= reps. who
pledge to support the
candidate's nomination
at the convention
Selected through primary
elections and caucuses
National Organization

Primary elections= an election to select candidates
for a general election
http://www.uspresidentialelectionnews.com/2016-presidential-primary-schedule-calendar/
National Organization

Caucuses= meetings of state and local party
organizations
National Organization


At the convention delegates’ write the platform; after it
has been approved they nominate the party’s
presidential candidate
Major parties also have campaign committees made up
of members of Congress; they work to elect party
members and raise money
State and Local Organization

Each major party has
50 state committees or
organizations; they
focus on electing party
candidates to state and
national offices
State and Local Organization


Each city or county is
divided into election
districts or precincts, a
geographic area that
contains a specific
number of voters
All voters in a precinct
cast their ballots at the
same voting place
State and Local Organization

Precinct captains organize party members during
campaigns and encourage people to vote
State and Local Organization

Several connected precincts make up a larger
unit called a ward
County Committees


Counties are the largest political units in a state;
both parties have county committees
A county chairperson runs the committee and
has a great deal of political power in the county
County Committees


If it is a large county state party leaders such as the
Governor or a US Senator may consult them about
important appointments such as judgeships
Precinct and ward leaders build the party at the
“grassroots” or neighborhood level; they “deliver the
vote” for party candidates at every level
Political Machines


A strong party
organization that can
control political
appointments and deliver
votes
Ex. Tammany Hall in
NYC ruled by “Boss”
Tweed, he and his
friends grew rich off of
bribes and kickbacks
Political Machines


Political machines
provided needy citizens
with jobs, food, fuel, and
help with medical care in
return for votes
Today political machines
are viewed as harmful;
political leaders are less
accountable to citizens
when they do not have
to worry about getting
reelected
Joining a Political Party


You do not need to join
a political party to vote
but they offer a great way
for citizens to get
involved in politics
Party membership
involves no duties other
than voting; you may
contribute money,
volunteer, or participate
in campaigns