What do political parties do, and how do campaigns connect candidates to voters?
Explain the role of political parties in the US two-party system and the functions of campaigns, including platforms, nominations, and campaign finance (LA Civics, Civic Participation and Deliberation strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on political parties and campaigns: the role of parties in the two-party system, party platforms, how parties nominate candidates, and how campaigns and campaign finance work, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
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What this topic is asking
This standard asks you to explain what political parties do in the US two-party system and how campaigns connect candidates to voters, including platforms, nominations, and campaign finance. On the LEAP Civics test, expect a source about a party or an election campaign, with a question about a party's role or a campaign function.
What a political party is
The United States has a two-party system: two large parties, currently the Democrats and the Republicans, win nearly all major offices, while third parties (minor parties) occasionally influence debates and elections without usually winning the biggest offices.
What parties do
The test rewards knowing the main functions of parties. Learn this list.
Platforms and nominations
A platform is the party's public statement of what it believes and what it would do in office; the individual planks are the specific positions. Nomination is the process of selecting the party's candidate for an office, often through primary elections (see elections and voting). Together, the platform tells voters what a party stands for, and the nomination tells them who will carry that message.
Campaigns and campaign finance
Modern campaigns cost a great deal, so candidates raise money from individuals and groups. Because large sums can give donors influence, the law requires much of this money to be disclosed and sets some limits, aiming to keep elections fair and transparent. Interest groups and the media also play a part in campaigns (see public opinion, the media, and interest groups).
Try this
Q1. What is a political party, and what is the US two-party system? [2]
- Cue. A party is an organized group that works to win elections and control government; the two-party system means two large parties (Democrats and Republicans) dominate.
Q2. Name three functions of political parties. [3]
- Cue. Any three of: nominate candidates, set a platform, inform and mobilize voters, run campaigns, organize the government.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of LDOE exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
LA Civics (style)1 marksA written statement of the positions and goals a political party stands for is called itsShow worked answer →
A single-select item assessing party functions (Civic Participation and Deliberation).
Correct answer: platform.
Credit is given for identifying a party's written statement of positions and goals as its platform. A distractor of "ballot" is wrong, because the ballot is the form voters use to cast their votes, not a statement of a party's positions.
LA Civics (style)2 marksUsing the source, explain two functions that political parties perform in the United States.Show worked answer →
A short constructed-response item assessing party functions with evidence (content plus the 9-12.SP1 skills dimension).
A complete answer names two functions. Sample: "Political parties nominate and support candidates for office, giving voters clear choices on the ballot. They also organize around a platform of shared ideas, which helps voters understand what each party stands for. Parties inform and mobilize voters, run campaigns, and, once in office, help organize the government and hold the other party accountable. By doing these things, parties connect citizens to government and make large-scale elections workable." Credit is given for naming two valid functions, such as nominating candidates, setting a platform, informing voters, or organizing government.
Related dot points
- Explain the US election process, including voter eligibility and registration, primary and general elections, and the Electoral College, with reference to Louisiana's voting system (LA Civics, Civic Participation and Deliberation strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on elections and voting: voter eligibility and registration, the difference between primary and general elections, the Electoral College in presidential elections, and Louisiana's distinctive open primary system, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
- Explain how public opinion, the media, and interest groups influence government and public policy, including the role of the media as a watchdog and how interest groups and lobbying work (LA Civics, Civic Participation and Deliberation strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on public opinion, the media, and interest groups: how public opinion is measured, the media's watchdog and informing roles, and how interest groups and lobbying try to shape public policy, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
- Explain the responsibilities of citizens and the many forms of civic participation, including voting, staying informed, volunteering, and engaging with government at all levels (LA Civics, Civic Participation and Deliberation strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on civic responsibilities and participation: the responsibilities of citizens, the many ways to take part beyond voting (staying informed, volunteering, contacting officials, attending meetings), and why participation sustains self-government, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
- Explain how a person becomes a US citizen by birth or naturalization, describe the naturalization process, and distinguish the duties from the responsibilities of citizens (LA Civics, Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on citizenship: how people become citizens by birth or naturalization, the steps of the naturalization process, and the difference between the duties (obligations) and the responsibilities of citizens, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
- Explain the public policy process, including how problems reach the agenda, how policy is made and carried out, and how citizens and groups influence it at the federal, state, and local levels (LA Civics, Civic Participation and Deliberation strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on public policy: what public policy is, the stages of the policy process (agenda setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, and evaluation), and how citizens, interest groups, and the media shape policy at all levels, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
- Describe the structure and powers of the legislative branch, including the bicameral Congress, the differences between the House and the Senate, and the powers granted in Article I (LA Civics, Structure and Powers of Government strand).
A Louisiana Civics answer on the legislative branch: the bicameral Congress, the differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate, the powers of Congress in Article I, and how the Louisiana Legislature compares, with worked LEAP Civics style questions.
Sources & how we know this
- K-12 Louisiana Student Standards for Social Studies — Louisiana Department of Education (2022)
- Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections — USA.gov (2024)