Question

Regarding Local, State and National Government to answer the following constructed response question:

Define political parties.
In two sentences, in an 7th graders response Explain why voters might decide to support a third party.
In a 7th graders response in 4 Sentences , Describe two ways in which a strong third party would make the American political system more democratic. Use details and examples to support your answer.

Answer 1

Define political parties.
Political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas about government and work together to win elections, make laws, and influence public policy.

In two sentences, explain why voters might decide to support a third party.
Some voters support a third party because it matches their beliefs better than the two major parties. Others choose a third party to push new ideas or show they are unhappy with the Democrats and Republicans.

In four sentences, describe two ways in which a strong third party would make the American political system more democratic. Use details and examples to support your answer.
First, a strong third party gives voters more choices and helps people who feel ignored by the two big parties get represented — for example, the Green Party focuses on environmental issues that some voters care most about. When third-party candidates win local offices or influence elections, their issues are more likely to be heard and acted on. Second, a strong third party increases competition so the major parties must pay attention and improve their ideas — Ross Perot’s 1992 run, for instance, pushed attention to the national debt and forced debate. Greater competition can lead to better choices for voters and higher turnout because people feel their vote can really make a difference.