List of political parties in the United States Facts for Kids

Political parties are groups of people who share similar ideas about how the government should work and what it should do. They work together to elect their members to public office, like the President, Senators, or Representatives. In the United States, there are many political parties, but two are much larger and more powerful than the others.

Active Parties
- Major Parties
- Third Parties
Historical Parties
- Parties that Held National Office
- Other Historical Parties
Images for kids
See also

Active Parties

Major Parties

The United States has two main political parties that usually win most elections: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

Democratic Party
- Symbol:
  
  The symbol of the Democratic Party is often a donkey.
- Founded: 1828
- Main Ideas: Generally supports social liberalism, which means they often believe the government should play a role in helping people and solving problems. They support things like social safety nets, environmental protection, and workers' rights.
- Current Status: One of the two largest parties in the U.S.

Republican Party
- Symbol:
  
  The symbol of the Republican Party is often an elephant.
- Founded: 1854
- Main Ideas: Generally supports conservatism, which means they often believe in limited government, free markets, and individual responsibility. They support things like lower taxes, less government regulation, and a strong national defense.
- Current Status: One of the two largest parties in the U.S.

Third Parties

Besides the two major parties, there are many smaller parties called "third parties." While they don't usually win big national elections, they can still influence politics and sometimes win local or state elections.

Parties in State Legislatures

Some third parties have members elected to state legislatures, which are like mini-Congress groups for each state.

Libertarian Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Libertarian Party symbol.
- Founded: 1971
- Main Ideas: Believes in maximum individual freedom and very limited government. They want less government involvement in both personal lives and the economy.
- Where they are active: They have members in some state legislatures across the U.S.

Forward Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Forward Party symbol.
- Founded: 2022
- Main Ideas: Focuses on bringing people together and making changes to how elections work. They aim for solutions that are not too far left or right.
- Where they are active: Has members in a few state legislatures.

Vermont Progressive Party
- Founded: 1993
- Main Ideas: Focuses on progressive ideas like social justice and economic fairness, often supporting democratic socialism.
- Where they are active: Mainly active in Vermont.

Independent Party of Oregon
- Symbol:
  
  The Independent Party of Oregon symbol.
- Founded: 2007
- Main Ideas: Aims for a middle-ground approach in politics.
- Where they are active: Mainly active in Oregon.

Parties in Puerto Rico's Legislature

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, and it has its own legislature with several political parties.

New Progressive Party (Partido Nuevo Progresista)
- Symbol:
  
  The New Progressive Party symbol.
- Founded: 1967
- Main Ideas: Supports Puerto Rico becoming a U.S. state.

Popular Democratic Party (Partido Popular Democrático)
- Founded: 1938
- Main Ideas: Supports Puerto Rico remaining a U.S. commonwealth (its current status).

Citizens' Victory Movement (Movimiento Victoria Ciudadana)
- Symbol:
  
  The Citizens' Victory Movement symbol.
- Founded: 2019
- Main Ideas: Focuses on fighting corruption and promoting progressive ideas.

Puerto Rican Independence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño)
- Symbol:
  
  The Puerto Rican Independence Party symbol.
- Founded: 1946
- Main Ideas: Supports Puerto Rico becoming an independent country.

Project Dignity (Proyecto Dignidad)
- Symbol:
  
  The Project Dignity symbol.
- Founded: 2019
- Main Ideas: Based on Christian democratic values and fighting corruption.

Other Active Parties

Many other parties exist across the U.S., some with "ballot access" (meaning they can officially list candidates on election ballots in certain states) and some without.

Green Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Green Party symbol.
- Founded: 2001
- Main Ideas: Focuses on environmental protection, social justice, and non-violence.

Constitution Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Constitution Party symbol.
- Founded: 1992
- Main Ideas: Believes in a strict interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and conservative values.

Working Families Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Working Families Party symbol.
- Founded: 1998
- Main Ideas: Supports social democratic policies, focusing on workers' rights and economic fairness.

Party for Socialism and Liberation
- Symbol:
  
  The Party for Socialism and Liberation symbol.
- Founded: 2004
- Main Ideas: Aims for a socialist society based on Marxist-Leninist ideas.

Prohibition Party
- Symbol:
  
  The Prohibition Party symbol.
- Founded: 1869
- Main Ideas: Historically focused on banning alcohol; now also supports Christian conservative values.

Communist Party USA
- Symbol:
  
  The Communist Party USA symbol.
- Founded: 1919
- Main Ideas: Aims for a communist society, based on the ideas of Marx and Lenin.

United States Pirate Party
- Symbol:
  
  The United States Pirate Party symbol.
- Founded: 2006
- Main Ideas: Focuses on digital rights, privacy, and government transparency.

Historical Parties

Many political parties have existed throughout U.S. history but are no longer active. Some of these parties were very important in their time.

Parties that Held National Office

These parties once had members elected to Congress or even the Presidency.

Federalist Party
- Years Active: 1789–1825
- Main Ideas: Supported a strong central government and a national bank. Important early leaders included Alexander Hamilton.

Democratic-Republican Party
- Years Active: 1792–1825
- Main Ideas: Supported states' rights and a smaller federal government. Thomas Jefferson was a key leader. This party eventually split into the Democratic Party and the National Republican Party.

Whig Party
- Years Active: 1837–1857
- Main Ideas: Supported a strong Congress, modernization, and protectionist policies. Several U.S. Presidents were Whigs, including William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor.

Know Nothing Party
- Years Active: 1845–1860
- Main Ideas: Focused on "nativism," meaning they were against immigration and favored native-born Americans.

Free Soil Party
- Years Active: 1849–1857
- Main Ideas: Opposed the expansion of slavery into new U.S. territories. Many of its members later joined the Republican Party.

Socialist Party of America
- Years Active: 1901–1972
- Main Ideas: Supported democratic socialism, advocating for workers' rights and social reforms. Eugene V. Debs was a famous leader.

Progressive Party (1912)
- Years Active: 1913–1919
- Main Ideas: Also known as the "Bull Moose Party," led by former President Theodore Roosevelt. It focused on progressive reforms like regulating big businesses and protecting workers.

Farmer–Labor Party
- Years Active: 1919–1945 (with some breaks)
- Main Ideas: Focused on the rights and needs of farmers and laborers.

Other Historical Parties

Many other parties existed, some active in multiple states, others only in one.

Socialist Labor Party of America
- Years Active: 1876–2011
- Main Ideas: One of the oldest socialist parties in the U.S., advocating for a worker-controlled society.

Dixiecrat (States' Rights Democratic Party)
- Years Active: 1948
- Main Ideas: A short-lived party that split from the Democratic Party in 1948, opposing civil rights for African Americans.

Black Panther Party
- Years Active: 1966–1982
- Main Ideas: A revolutionary Black nationalist and socialist organization that advocated for self-defense and civil rights for African Americans.