Functions of Political Parties

1. Mobilize & educate voters: Contact through phone, email, mail, or may knock on your door. They hold voter registration drives in order to promote greater civic awareness. Parties also put out public opinion polls to gauge interest in specific topics.

2. Create Platforms: A party platform is a written list of beliefs & political goals. The political parties will host conventions that discuss the draft of the platforms. In constructing the platform, the leader of the committee will discuss variations of beliefs within the party and handle these issues respectively -- some may be included on the platform based on individual's popularity among the people.

3. Recruit candidates and manage their campaigns: Parties typically search for candidates at the various levels. Individuals are selected based on their ability to raise money (or self-fund) and commitment to party. Usually individuals who self-fund are more invested in the campaign since it is their money but this is not to say that those who receive funding elsewhere are not as invested.

4. Govern with hopes of implementing policy: As individuals gain positions, they attempt to push their policies through legislation, executive orders, or through court cases.