Parties
"Established political parties" are parties which participated in the
last election and received enough votes (typically around 1%). If
parties are "established," they must comply with state laws regarding
the selection of candidates. One of the typical state laws requires
candidates to be elected in primaries (though some state allow
conventions). In all states, the Democratic and Republican Parties meet
the requirements to be an established party. In most states, at least
one other (and sometimes several other) parties qualify as
"established" parties. The most common "other" established parties are
the Libertarian, Green, and Constitution Party, though none of these
parties is established in all states.
Democrats are a typical liberal party, pro abortion, for gay rights, anti death-penalty, promote the environment, pro gun control,
for a stronger central government, and general reformers. Their
trademark is the donkey.
Republicans are more traditionalists, more for state rights, gun
rights, pro life (with regard to abortion), dislike taxes, and generally
more hawkish, general conservatives. Their trademark is the elephant.
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