American Electoral Process

Though the founders did not include any mention of political parties in the Constitution, such organizations sprang up almost immediately after ratification of the document. From the beginning, party identification became an important part of the American political process. The leadership of the political parties would nominate candidates, making it easier for voters to choose. The party affiliation gave voters an immediate idea of what each candidate stood for.

The parties also served as campaign organs at a time when it was unseemly for presidential candidates to openly campaign for the job. Moreover, political parties were repeat players, so they offered candidates permanent political party organization. Candidates for political office had neither the need nor the money to maintain a permanent campaign staff, so they only created temporary organizations for each election. Thus, they became reliant upon the partyÆs permanent organization.

For most of American history, two parties have dominated the political scene. Occasional fractures have led to three parties, such as in the years leading up to the Civil War, but since time a two-party system has ruled. The part

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ts throw his or her hat in. That said, candidates rarely come from nowhere to win a nomination for office. Parties may not dictate who will run, but they still play a role in the process, especially in smaller elections. Before getting her name on a ballot, a candidate will have to make contacts to win support from the party leaders. After nomination by her party, a candidate runs in the general election. Her main competition will be the candidate of the other party; thus, these days, Republicans face Democrats in almost every American election. The Reform Party has gained a foothold in some areas, and members of minor parties (Libertarian, Peace and Freedom) usually run in most major elections. Nevertheless, it usually comes down to Republican versus Democrat. The primary system has dramatically changed the nominating process. The party conventions, which used to be great sources of drama as delegates brokered deals to have their candidate nominated, have become staged coronations. After all, in the Presidential election year, the nomination has been decided by the time of the partyÆs convention in July or August. Indeed, the campaign for the nomination has been going for sometime, with Iowa caucuses in January and the
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Approximate Word count = 1212
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

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