Introduction
The US uses the first-past-the-post election system, where the candidate with the most votes wins the elections. In this system, it is a prerequisite for the vying candidates to perform campaigns before the election date is reached. The campaigns occur through enrolment in a political party that sponsors the candidate’s political activities. Besides, the US elections are crucial in promoting democracy and the civil rights of citizens. It is through choosing their leaders that people express their will in government (Oberhauser et al., 2019). Nevertheless, at times, the election might invalidate a re-election order. For example, if the presidential candidate had been suspended from vying by the law or when the involved person is involved in violence or terrorism during the elections. The suspension involves local, state and federal elections, as all government levels adhere to the same electoral system.
Purpose and Functions of the US Political Parties
A political party is made up of people who band together to run the government, win elections, and shape public policy. Currently, in the US, there are two major parties in Congress that give tickets to electoral representatives and members during a general election. They include the Democratic and Republican parties. Political parties are involved in the nomination of candidates to run for political office and represent the party. Second, the senators and representatives from political parties create and pass laws that support their party’s platform (Cushion et al., 2018). Additionally, political parties unite their members at different government levels to achieve essential goals for the party. Finally, political parties in the US create a balance between the minority and majority parties in the parliament.
Ways US Citizens Participate in Campaigns
Politics can be engaged in by individuals in various ways. In the United States, citizens participate in political campaigns in several ways. Massive demonstrations of support for an idea or agenda are organized by citizens in an effort to have an impact on the political process (Ushistory, 2022). Participating in political campaigns can be done through marches, letter-writing campaigns like this one in support of Al Gore, and attending political rallies. Further, US citizens, especially the youth, participate in political campaigns via social media. These ways influence the political setup of the US.
Ways US Citizens Participate in Elections
There are numerous methods by which people might take part in political elections. They may write their representative or senator, or they could volunteer their services to a candidate or political party. People have several possibilities to participate in their democracy at the federal, state, and local levels in part due to the US federalist system (Oberhauser et al., 2019). Almost everyone has a voice in government. However, some forms of engagement are more common than others and some citizens participate more than others. This shows the role of US citizens in political campaigns and elections.
Function and Purpose of Caucuses in Political Campaigns
Caucuses are small-scale meetings of voters who cast their ballots for a certain candidate at the conclusion of the event. To nominate or select a candidate to stand for them in the presidential elections, the caucuses convene (Cushion et al., 2018). The process then shifts to nominating conventions, where each political party chooses a person to support. Each presidential candidate also reveals their vice presidential running partner during a political party conference. The candidates then engage in nationwide campaigning to inform voters of their positions and strategies. They could take part in discussions with rival candidates from other parties.
Function and Purpose of Primary Elections in the Presidential Election Process
A political party nominates its candidates for the general election in a primary. Primaries may be open to all voters, including partisans and non-partisans, or they may be closed to all but party members. They can also be indirect primaries, in which voters elect delegates to determine the party’s nominees at a nominating convention, or direct primaries, in which voters choose the candidates for their party in a preliminary election (Cushion et al., 2018). Each presidential candidate also reveals their vice presidential running partner during a political party conference. The candidates then engage in nationwide campaigning to inform voters of their positions and strategies. They could take part in discussions with rival candidates from other parties.
Role of National Political Party Conventions in Presidential Elections Process
Political party conventions are meetings held by political parties to choose their preferred candidates in an election. Political party conventions are used mostly in the US presidential election. This is the platform where the nominated presidential candidate announces their running mates (Cushion et al., 2018). The political party conventions choose the delegates to elect the president. The nomination of the presidential candidate requires a minimum of 50% of the political party’s delegates to be nominated (Cushion et al., 2018). The presidential candidate nominated in the political party conventions proceeds to the general elections.
Presidential Election Campaign Process
In the US, the presidential election campaign involves several processes and steps. First, the presidential election campaign begins in the primaries and caucuses. This is where the political parties or caucuses select delegates who will nominate the presidential candidate and the respective running mate (Oberhauser et al., 2019). The delegates proceed to the nomination of the presidential candidate and running mate in the convection. The nominated presidential candidate and the running mates conduct electoral campaigns, where they sell their agendas and the strategies to achieve the agenda. Through this step, the candidates run for the office of the president in the general elections.
Important Factors and Events Influencing Presidential Election Campaigns
Democrats and Republicans running for office begin their campaigns. To rally support and raise money for their efforts, they organized a team and started “going on tour” across the nation. At the beginning of their campaigns, candidates use propaganda and commercial advertising strategies in their campaign advertisements (Cushion et al., 2018). Legislation, funding, and the participants’ ingenuity place restrictions on the channels accessible to political parties for spreading their messages. These techniques are frequently included in a planned strategy called a campaign timetable. The campaign’s goal, theme, target audience, and available resources are taken into account in the plan. By holding debates, the media influences the presidential election campaigns.
Conclusion
Money’s Position and Influence in Modern Political Campaigns Presidential elections are competitive, necessitating large expenditures. Candidates also use the funds to host conferences that are crucial in shaping voter decisions. A well-organized conference influences positive voter support. The presidential candidate and running mate are nominated in the party primaries. However, the presidential candidate is elected by the electors, who are voted by citizens into the electoral college. The electors represent the voice, agenda, and needs of the US citizens in the electoral colleges by electing the president preferred by the citizens.
References
Cushion, S., Kilby, A., Thomas, R., Morani, M., & Sambrook, R. (2018). Newspapers, impartiality and television news: Intermedia agenda-setting during the 2015 UK general election campaign. Journalism Studies, 19(2), 162-181. Web.
Oberhauser, A. M., Krier, D., & Kusow, A. M. (2019). Political moderation and polarization in the heartland: Economics, rurality, and social identity in the 2016 US presidential election. The Sociological Quarterly, 60(2), 224-244. Web.
Ushistory, (2022). 4d-Participating in government. Web.