Parties and Elections in America The Electoral Process covers all elements of parties and the electoral process, including local, state, and national party organizations; American party history and party systems; state and local nominations; state and local elections; presidential nominations; and presidential elections. Separate chapters are devoted to the important subjects of the media in the electoral process and campaign finance. The role of political parties in representative democracy-and their contributions to it-are examined critically. The sixth edition incorporates the results of the 2010 midterm elections.