An alternative to a state primary in which party followers meet, often for many hours, to select party candidates.

Separate committees in Congress for each political party to help members who are running for reelection or would-be members running for an open seat or challenging a candidate from the opposition party.

A proposal originated by progressive reformers to open up political parties to their membership. It permits a vote of party members to select the party's nominee in the general election.

Parties, usually based in a particular region, especially involving farmers, that protest against depressed economic conditions. These tend to disappear as conditions improve. An example would be the Greenback party.

Parties that are created by a split in a major party, usually over the identity and philosophy of the major party's presidential candidate. An example would be the "Bull Moose" Progressive party.

The original party structure in which political parties were loose caucuses of political notables in various locations. It was replaced around 1824.

A political party organization that values principle above all else and spurns money incentives for members to participate.

A proposal favored by progressive reformers to curtail corruption. It allows a law to be enacted directly by vote of the people without approval of a legislative body.

One of two major factions, largely within the Republican party, who opposed the heavy emphasis on patronage and disliked the party machinery because it only permitted bland candidates to rise to the top, was fearful of immigrants, and wanted to see the party take unpopular stances on certain issues. They challenged the Old Guard from around 1896 to the 1930s.

The person responsible for managing the day-to-day work of a national political party. The person is given a full-time, paid position and is elected by the national committee.

Delegates from each state and territory who manage party affairs between national conventions. These exist at the national level for both major political parties.

The ultimate authority in both major political parties in the United States. The conventions are held every four years to nominate each party's candidate for the presidency.

One of two major factions, largely within the Republican party, composed of the party regulars and professional politicians. They were preoccupied with building up the party machinery, developing party loyalty, and acquiring and dispensing patronage. They were challenged by progressives from around 1896 to the 1930s.

Parties seeking a single policy, usually revealed by their names, and avoiding other issues. An example would be the Free Soil party.

A type of local party organization in which a candidate gets people to work for him or her for a campaign and then the organization disbands until the next election. To run this type of campaign, a candidate needs an appealing personality, name recognition, a lot of friends, and a large bank account.

An electoral system in which the winner is that person who gets the most votes, even if they do not constitute a majority of the votes.

A political party organization that recruits its members by the use of tangible incentives and is characterized by a high degree of leadership control over members' activities.

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office by supplying them with a label by which they are known to the electorate.

The second party structure in the nation's history, which emerged when Andrew Jackson first ran for the presidency in 1824. The system was built from the bottom-up as political participation became a mass phenomenon.

A political party organization based on gregarious or game-loving instincts. It survives on the basis of a friendship network.

An inducement that attracts people out of gregarious or game-loving instincts. It is one reason why people become involved in a state or local party organization.

A group within a political party united by a concern over a specific cause. The Democratic party has attempted to assure many special-interest groups representation at its national convention, although lately the party has moved away from this commitment.

A political party organization created or sponsored by another organization. This form of local party organization is rare in the United States.

Elected officials and party leaders present at the national convention of the Democratic party.

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in state or national elections. Third parties have little chance of winning.

A requirement that all delegates representing a state at a national party convention vote with the majority of their state delegation.

An element of the electoral system used in the United States which precludes proportional representation, either in the Electoral College or Congress.