I created this PowerPoint to go along with my AP US Government and Politics lecture on Party Identification. The YouTube video lecture is available online. Here is the summary of the goals of this lecture: In the United States, we have a two party system, but many American voters identify themselves as Independent. Are Independents truly independent? In what ways do they participate in the two party system? Furthermore, what factors influence party identification? What prompts someone to identify as a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent? Mr. Richey, an AP Government teacher, will answer these questions in this lecture on Party Identification. Please subscribe for more lectures in AP Government, AP US History, and AP European History!

1. Party Identification
#apgov

2. objectives
1. In what ways do people
identify with political
parties?
2. What factors influence
party preference?
@TomRichey

3. The Simple
Version
DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS

4. The Simple
Version
DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS
30% 45% 25%

5. Nearly half of the electorate self-identifies as independent.

6. Expressions of Party Preference
1. Voter Registration
2. Self-Identification
3. Tendency to Support Party
a) Candidates
b) Policies
4. Voting in Primary Elections

7. 98.3%
Photo by
Gage Skidmore
Photo by
Pete Souza
51.1% 1.7% 47.2%
Voted for one of the two
major party candidates
in the 2012 election.

8. LEANERS

9. Some Independents
Lean Left

10. Some Independents
Lean Right

11. 98.3%
Photo by
Gage Skidmore
Photo by
Pete Souza
51.1% 1.7% 47.2%
Chose a party when it
came crunch time.

12. Expressions of Party Preference
1. Voter Registration
2. Self-Identification
3. Tendency to Support Party
a) Candidates
b) Policies
4. Voting in Primary Elections

13. DEMOCRATS INDEPENDENTS REPUBLICANS
STRONG WEAK LEANS INDEPENDENT LEANS WEAK STRONG
The Complex
Version

14. Factors Influencing Party ID
1. Upbringing / Socialization
2. Life Experience
3. Attachment
4. Political Climate

15. 70%
Your parents are most influential in determining your political affiliation.

16. Experience Matters, Too.

17. We get more attached with time.

18. As coalitions
shift between
parties, so do
individuals.
Realignment

19. E-LECTURE
Available on YouTube! @TomRichey

20. LEARNING. DELIVERED.