POLITICAL PARTIES
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GeauxVote for Students


Grades 1-4
Modifications.

Did You Know?

The word “party” comes from an Anglo-French word, partir, which means “divide.”

The United States' First Political Parties

The Constitution does not mention political parties. In fact, George Washington and the framers of the Constitution feared the country would suffer if voters were loyal to special groups, or parties, rather than to the United States. Therefore, the framers of the Constitution established our system of checks and balances to keep “factions,” or parties, from pursuing special interests at the expense of other citizens’ interests and the “common good.”

The first political parties appeared in the United States while George Washington was president.

Do We Need Political Parties?

Our political party system is important to the election process. Political parties offer choices and clarify issues for voters. They also provide leadership and constructive criticism of government policies and programs.

Most political parties hold conventions to select candidates and to identify a platform. A platform is a list of issues and ideas that the party supports.

Investigation

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Web site, five political parties are registered to participate in Louisiana elections. Investigate:

1. Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Web site and find out which parties are registered with the Secretary of State's Office.

2. What issues or ideas does each party support?

3. Complete the Louisiana Political Parties Chart to find out what these parties have in common and how they are different.

Think About It

1. Which political party supports the issues that are important to you?

2. Do you have to belong to one of these parties to vote? Explore the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Web site to find the answer.

3. If a new political party wanted to register in Louisiana, what would they need to do? What information would they have to provide? Explore the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Elections Web site to find the answer.

ACT: REGISTER TO VOTE!

You can become an active citizen of your classroom and make a difference!

1. From the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Voter Registration Web site, open the Voter Registration Form and go to page two.

2. What kinds of information do you have to provide to register to become a Louisiana voter?

With your classmates, prepare a Classroom Voter Registration Form.You can also use our Classroom Voter Registration Form. Distribute the form and ask your classmates to become active classroom citizens by registering to vote.


CONTENT LITERACY STRATEGIES and SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS

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