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Election process and machinery
Primary Election, a method by which a political party chooses its nominees for public office. Winners of primary elections run against nominees of other parties in the general election. The primary is a unique U.S. institution, born in the era of political reform at the beginning of the 20th century. Direct primary nominations for statewide and local offices have predominated in the United States since the 1920's. In some states, parties endorse candidates before the primary, either by convention or by state committee action. The endorsing convention is one way to establish party responsibility in drawing up proposed candidate slates while leaving the final decision to the voters.
American Elections: 521,000 elected offices: According to political scientist James Q. Wilson “there are 521,000 elected offices in the United States, and that almost every week of the year there is an election going on somewhere in this country”.
Types of Politics underlying elections: 1. Majoritarian politics 2. Special interest politics 3. Client politics 4. Entrepreneurial politics
Reprospective voting is based on an assessment of the past performance of the parties and their elected officials in the light of the promises they made, political events that have occurred, and the conditions that currently exist. In this model, voters base their judgment on their accumulated political experience. In contrast, prospective voting anticipates the actions of candidates once they assume office. Voters compare their own values, beliefs, and opinions with those of the candidates and parties; then they base their judgment on their sense of which party and which candidates are likely to benefit them the most after elections.
You can participate in the electoral process in a number of ways, such as: Voter, Supporter, Club member, Consultant, Advisor, Strategist, Specialist (media, computers, opposition research, etc.).
Source: American Muslim Alliance
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