Parties & Interest Groups

Political Parties and Interest Groups

Parties are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution, they are vital to the function of the electoral system in the states. Parties organize opposition by recruiting and nominating candidates, act as opposition powerless, unify electorate, and provide government and people linkage.(Magleby 55)

Election rules in favor of Democrats and Republicans, not minorities. Minor parties must have a min. number of votes to appear on ballot. Various things must appear for minor parties to get on the ballot: num. Of signatures, allotted time to collect; signatures distributed across several counties. (Maglebey 56)

The party column ballot-encourages party-line voting, organized by parties, party name and symbol at top column which lists party candidates running for election. A straight ticket vote-voters cast all votes for one party. Office block ballot-party candidates spread over ballot encourages split ticket voting- voting for candidates of many parties. (Magleby 57)

In 19th century political machines-one party ruling a city, by recruiting more immigrants as supporters and voters offering welfare and jobs. There were meeting places for parties so as to have a boss of politics. A boss was a party leader using patronage, contracts, and access to power dictate politics, ex. New York. Reform movements made nonpartisan elections (see elections). (Magleby 58)

In all states there is a party chair elected by central committee or delegates to party convention. The vice chair by state laws or by laws must be of opposite gender, treasurer and secretary. Party leaders answer to a central committee 20 or more chosen for specific terms. (Magleby 59)

One party state, a state in which one party wins all the offices and the other party receives only a small proportion of the popular vote, imbalance has small effect on accountability that is part of electoral competition in a one party state. Competition that otherwise would occur between major parties occurs in majority party. Voters don't participate as much. (Magleby 66)

If party imbalance disorganizes dominant party minority party is pulverized. Minority doesn't fight. Young people gain dominant party, and second party goes national.

Two party, a state in which two major parties alternate in winning majorities, balances the southern and northern states. In general election southern voted Republican and northern voted Democrat. Party balance is important in it leans people to one party or other and the election can go either way. (Magleby 66)

Mayors lead city party organizations. The mayors office is a stepping stone to other offices. In legislatures parties are at a 50/50 tie with Democrats and Republican parties. In order for a candidate to win the legislative they must form party apparatus to wage a winning campaign. Yet it is important for them to be associated to a party also.( Magleby 83)

A party caucus is a meeting of the members of a party in a legislative chamber to select party leaders and develop party policy. Party unity is found in states with two party systems and helps party members to vote similarly. The political caucus aids in how members vote. Legislatures with single party has had long standing dominance or control parties are less important is shaping legislatures. A rebirth of partisanship and growing attention to electrons of legislatures are making parties more important than in the past.

(Magleby 65)

Interest Group is an organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policy makers. Teacher organizations, trade associations, real estate are examples of single interest groups. Legislators pay interest to fishing, mining, and agriculture regardless of lobbyists. Legislatures seldom hold legislation hostile to states economic interests. (Magleby 87)

Lobbying is attempting to influence decisions of public officals, especially legislatures. The right to lobby is protected by 1st and 14th Amendments. Anyone can lobby though states define a professional as someone paid to influence legislators on behalf of a client or clients. States require lobbyist to register annually with secretary of state's office or with election or lobbyist commission. Effective lobbyists specialize in subject matter and legislative procedure. They know their electoral support, values, hobbies and who has their "ears." They live by two rules: it's a lot easier to kill a bill than pass it, and work in such a way that you have no permanent allies and no permanent enemies. Lobbyists aren't to spend more than $100 on legislatures each year. (Mag. 87)

Interest groups also support positions, encourage people to call, legislators, demonstrate and support campaigns, may contribute money, may campaign for candidates and issues, court the media, attempt to win coverage for their positions and take reporters interests and ensure that their group's view is covered. (Mag 87)

Base unit of the Democratic organization is precinct, holds average of 511 voters in Washington precinct. Each precinct is represented by Democrat. Official called Precinct Committee Officer (PCO). Fourty-nine legislative districts and thirty-nine counties in Washington. Everyone's legislative district (LD) defines how were represented in Olympia by our state legislature. Every LD is represented by a senator and two representatives in the Washington State Legislature. LD's hold monthly meetings, recruit and manage PCO's while campaigning for local Democratic candidates. (website for the rest of the paper aswell)

Washington State Democratic Central Committee (WSDCC) is the umbrella organization for the Democratic party. Chairman Dwight Peiz presides over WSDCC. Each county organization and LD elects one of both genders to be reps to WSDCC.

The WSDCC sets the tone for the donkeys (the democratic symbol), supports LD and county organizations, and takes the lead for recruiting and supporting their candidates for fed and state-wide office. Also the WDCC takes lead in passing resolutions. (See www.wa-democrats.org for passed resolutions.)

Democratic National Committee the national umbrella organization or the donkey party. Chairman Gov. Howard Dean presides over the DNC. Each state party organization sends representatives to the DNC. DNC takes the lead in setting the Democratic agenda for the nation. They support the president when they are a Democrat and lead the opposition when president is Republican.

The following are topics of what they stand for and an explanation:

Agriculture

Agriculture the number one industry in Washington. The Democrats recognize farmers as