Parties and Elections in America The Electoral Process

This comprehensive text surveys political parties (including their histories and organizations) and elections (including the processes, strategies, and personalities of the electoral process) at the national, state, and local levels. An analysis of state and local elections should allow students with little background in the topic to explore the similarities and differences between state and local elections and national elections. The combined analysis of campaigns and elections should help students understand the crucial integration between the two in the American electoral process. Clear explanations of the presidential electoral process aim to assist students to grasp the difficulties of organizing and mounting a presidential campaign. The text includes illustrations and case-studies, as well as chapter-ending sections which provide real-world applications to the topic at hand.;L. Sandy Maisel writes from the perspective of both a leading political scientist and a practicing politician, having chaired the Platform Committee for the 1992 Maine State Democratic Convention.