Written in a sharp and lively manner that will interest and engage students, this classic text provides comprehensive coverage of all elements of parties and elections in the United States, 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. This new edition highlights information from the 2016 presidential election and the first year and a half of the Trump administration, while giving a practical look at elections through topics such as the media's role in politics and campaign finance. Also new to the eighth edition is coverage of the continuing fallout of the 2008-2009 worldwide economic crisis, the failed Arab Spring, the upsurge of populism and the fragility of democracies, and the Nigerian elections.