WELCOME TO SWITCH PARTY
We are here to help you gather and make informed decisions about which of the various political parties in the United States best match your beliefs and values as you register to vote and choose to affiliate with a specific party.
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To help you understand each of the parties' platforms, we weave in current political topics, provide a forum for discussion, present tools to help you make informed decisions, and offer candidates opportunities to showcase their platforms.
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We encourage eligible citizens to register to vote, support a candidate or become a candidate for office. Get involved. Join the conversation.
Countdown to November
CANDIDATES IN THE NEWS
In political discussions or races, voters' interests are always on the line. Before Judges pass judgement, legislators the law or elected officials policy. Join the conversation on our forum.
CONSIDER A RUN FOR OFFICE
WHY RUNNING FOR OFFICE MATTERS
HOW TO RUN FOR OFFICE
There are myriad reasons to run for office. No matter whether you live in a small, rural town or a big urban metropolis, we offer some of the most compelling reasons to consider:
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Feeling more connected to where you live by increasing your "socially engaged activities" within your community—attending cultural events or socializing more with friends, family, and neighbors—can lead to an increase in your level of satisfaction with your life. Getting involved can make you happier, and being happier can make you feel more connected to your community. That's good for everyone.
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By running for a political office, you will feel empowered to make a difference. In turn, you'll be encouraging and empowering other activists and believers in community connections.
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A run for office means you can advocate for causes. If a specific cause or a current policy is impacting your community, holding a political position may allow you to affect change. The most important thing to do when considering a run for office is to examine the current issues in your community and how invested you are in those issues.
Once you've made the decision to run, you'll need a strategy. Here are some items to add to your "to do" list:
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Educate yourself on local government in your area. Identify the municipality in which you live by visiting your municipality’s website or Facebook page. Plug your address into a voting site like Vote411 to learn about upcoming elections and collect information about your state. Try Run for Office to learn about opportunities in politics.
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Look for council, county, or school board agendas and meeting schedules. Attend meetings to immerse yourself in the issues of the day.
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Pick an office/election that plays to your strengths. Perhaps you can start by volunteering for a campaign or a political leader in your area to learn more about what the job entails.
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Once you've made the decision to run for office, seek help from experts. Politics is not a game for the inexperienced. And there are plenty of people who can steer you in the right direction.
REGISTER TO VOTE
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 70% of the voting-eligible population registered to vote in the last presidential election, and 61% of all those registered voted. That means almost 9 of every 10 registered voters cast a ballot.
According to NonProfitVote.org, active civic engagement— including voting—contributes to the health and economic vitality of local communities. People who vote are more likely to connect with neighbors, talk to elected officials, and engage civically in other ways.
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Every citizen of the United States who is at least 18 years of age may register and vote. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia permit some form of same day registration. In all other states, you must register before Election Day in order to vote. Registration in those states stops in advance of an election—usually 30 days in advance.
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The details for the voter registration process of every state and principality can be found on the U.S. government's voter registration website, along with details about requirements in each location. GET STARTED HERE.
VOTING TRIVIA
George Washington’s entire campaign budget for his 1758 election to the House of Burgesses was spent on liquor—50 British pounds to purchase 160 gallons of alcohol that was given to 390 voters.
President Zachary Taylor never once voted prior to his electoral victory. In addition, he kept his political beliefs a secret all up until his 1848 election.
The legal voting age across the country was once 21, but in 1943, Georgia became the first state to lower the legal voting age to 18. This became an official part of the U.S. Constitution when the Twenty-Sixth Amendment was ratified in 1971.
In 1884, the media covering the campaigns of presidential candidates Grover Cleveland and James Blaine featured analysis of their (literal) skulls which would offer insight as to the size of each candidate's brain.
Gerald Ford is the only person who served as president and vice president without having been elected to either office.
BECOME A SWITCH PARTY MEMBER
WHY IS JOINING SWITCH PARTY SO IMPORTANT?
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Voters must be actively engaged in the day-to-day work of politics. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines, as this may result in undesirable candidates. Our engagement translates into influence in political discussions and outcomes. If a particular politician presses against our understanding of the Constitution, our only recourse is to keep lines of communication open. Switch Party invites active dialogue through our forum, including input from current candidates. We must become the watchdogs of democracy before, during and after elections. Defend American democracy by getting involved—regardless of your political affiliation. Don't sit on the bench. Jump in and join others from across the political spectrum. Stay informed to make educated choices.
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As a member, you'll receive alerts when we post new content on political developments and have access to our members-only forum and our blog. Plus, you'll be able to comment on the dialogue between others.
FROM THE BLOG...
DONATIONS APPRECIATED
Engaging citizens in political issues is vitally important. Our efforts to educate and inform requires your help. Donate today so we may continue to offer impartial information regarding political parties, candidate and issues of the day.