Unit 3 STUDY GUIDE
Parties, Nominations & Elections
Note – Consider the online labs for this unit as part of your Study Guide. Since they cover what you need
to know about Interest Groups and Campaign Finance, there is no need for you to re-write the concepts.
Chapter 8 – POLITICAL PARTIES & CONVENTIONS
1. Explain the difference between a political party and an interest group.
2. Explain how Federalist #10 relates to political parties. What were the founders’ views of
parties?
3. Are political parties mentioned in the Constitution? What type of amendment are they?
4. Draw the diagram that shows the three components of a party. Provide proper name
examples of each.
5. List and explain the primary functions of parties.
FUNCTION
EXPLANATION & EXAMPLES
6. Distinguish between (a) national convention, (b) national committee, and (c) national chair.
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What role do they play in the party?
Who are they?
National
Convention
(The Delegates)
National Committee
National Chair
7. Why do the major parties often take centrist policy positions?
8. Explain why the people sometimes prefer divided government.
9. Describe minor parties and their history.
Chapter 9 – NOMINATIONS & CAMPAIGNS
1. How does a candidate win the nomination of his/her party?
2. Who is responsible for the nomination process?
3. When does the nomination process take place? Approximate dates
4. Explain the Iowa Caucus.
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5. Explain how a primary works.
6. Would you rather vote in a caucus or primary? Explain.
7. Who decides whether a state will have a caucus or primary?
8. Which method is used in most states?
9. Who sets the dates for the caucuses and primaries?
10. Explain frontloading.
11. What are some criticisms about Iowa and New Hampshire being first in the presidential
nomination process?
12. What is the difference between an open and closed primary? Which one does Texas
have?
13. How are national convention delegates selected? (Draw triangle)
14. Describe the demographics of the average delegate.
15. What is the McGovern-Fraser Commission? Why was it set up?
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16. Who are Superdelegates? What role did they play in the 2008 election?
17. Which party prefers winner-take-all primaries? Why?
18. Outline the four nights of a national convention
National Convention
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
19. What happens during the daytime of a convention – before it goes live on television at
night?
20. Describe “Key Note Address”. Purpose? Selection of speaker? Know about the 2008 KNA.
21. Explain “Roll Call Vote”.
22. Explain “Acceptance Speech”.
23. Who selects the vice presidential nominee for a party? When?
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24. What does “balance-the-ticket” mean? Give an example.
25. Who drafts the party platform? Describe their ideology and partisanship.
26. When is the platform drafted?
27. When does the platform become official?
28. Why is the party’s platform important? Why is it unimportant?
Chapter 10 – Elections (page 314 – only the Electoral College)
1. What is the total number of electoral votes? Why?
2. What formula is used to determine the number of electoral votes that a state has?
3. How many did Texas have in 2008?
In 2012?
4. Why did it change?
5. What did the 12th Amendment change about the system? Which election prompted the
change?
6. How are the Electors selected? Where?
7. Do they have the freedom to cast their vote as they wish?
8. Where and when do the Electors cast their votes?
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9. Where and when are all ballots counted?
10. Who presides over the counting of ballots?
11. What happens if there is a tie in the Electoral College?
12. What are the criticisms of the Electoral College system?
Criticisms of the Electoral College
13. What some benefits of the Electoral College system?
Benefits of the Electoral College
14. Explain some of the proposed reforms to the Electoral College.
Proposed Reforms of the Electoral College
15. Do you think the Electoral College needs to be reformed? If you do not, explain. If you do,
which reform do you support? Why?
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