The Electoral System and Political Parties in the United States

THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM
OF THE UNITED STATES

PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS OF
POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE UNITED
STATES
 Political parties are indispensable for the efficient working of the
governments of the contemporary States of the world.
 The main function of political parties is to represent the voices of the
people.
 They have the duty to ensure that all the people that are being represented
by them, have access to a dignified standard of living.

 Each political party has their own philosophical ideology which shapes
their election manifesto. This political ideology is what attracts people to
vote for them.
 They main function of political parties is to contest elections. In these
elections, the common people who are eligible to vote, elect their preferred
representative.
 This representative usually belongs to one political party or the other.
 The political parties cater to the needs and wants of their representatives
following their political ideologies.

 There are two main political parties in the United States – the Democratic
Party and the Republican Party
 The Democratic Party follows a left aligned ideology whereby its policies
and programs are more liberal in nature.
 The Republican Party follows a right aligned ideology, meaning that its
programs and policies are conservative in their outlook.
 Other parties existing in the United States are the Green Party, Libertarian
Party and the Communitarian Party.

PARTICIPATION OF THE US PEOPLE IN CAMPAIGNING AND
ELECTION PROCESS
 One of the most important responsibility of the citizens of the United States
is to take an active role in the voting process. The power to decide on the
future course of the State lies with the people.
 There are various ways by which a citizen can ensure its participation in the
campaigning and electoral process.
 First, they should be aware about the issues affecting them by reading the
different sources of information such as newspapers, magazines and social
media.