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

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.

Images for kids

• 

  The No Labels logo.

• Working Class Party

  The Working Class Party logo.

• American Independent Party

  The American Independent Party logo.

• Peace and Freedom Party

  The Peace and Freedom Party logo.

• American Solidarity Party

  The American Solidarity Party logo.

• Natural Law Party (United States)

  The Natural Law Party logo.

• Approval Voting Party

  The Approval Voting Party logo.

• Justice Party (United States)

  The Justice Party logo.

• People's Party (United States, 2017)

  The People's Party (2017) logo.

• Conservative Party (New York)

  The Conservative Party of New York State logo.

• Libertarian Association of Massachusetts

  The Libertarian Association of Massachusetts logo.

• Oregon Progressive Party

  The Oregon Progressive Party logo.

• Liberty Union Party

  The Liberty Union Party logo.

• Alaskan Independence Party

  The Alaskan Independence Party logo.

• Independent Party (Florida)

  The Independent Party of Florida logo.

• Ecology Party of Florida

  The Ecology Party of Florida logo.

• Labor Party (United States, 1996)

  The Labor Party (1996) logo.

• United Citizens Party

  The United Citizens Party logo.

• Independent Citizens Movement

  The Independent Citizens Movement logo.

• Movimiento Unión Soberanista

  The Movimiento Unión Soberanista logo.

• Socialist Workers Party (United States)

  The Socialist Workers Party logo.

• 

  The Socialist Equality Party logo.

• Socialist Party USA

  The Socialist Party USA logo.

• Progressive Labor Party(United States)

  The Progressive Labor Party logo.

• Socialist Alternative (United States) logo.svg

  The Socialist Alternative (United States) logo.

• Workers World Party

  The Workers World Party logo.

• 

  The Freedom Socialist Party logo.

• American Freedom Party

  The American Freedom Party logo.

• Socialist Action (United States) logo (black).jpg

  The Socialist Action (United States) logo.

• 

  The Transhumanist Party logo.

• Common Sense Party of California

  The Common Sense Party of California logo.

• Green Party of Alaska

  The Green Party of Alaska logo.

• California National Party

  The California National Party logo.

• California Freedom Coalition

  The California Freedom Coalition logo.

• Independence Party of New York

  The Independence Party of New York logo.

• Liberal Party (New York)

  The Liberal Party of New York logo.

• Moderate Party of Rhode Island

  The Moderate Party of Rhode Island logo.

• Green Party of Rhode Island

  The Green Party of Rhode Island logo.

• Independent Greens (Virginia)

  The Independent Greens of Virginia logo.

• Washington Progressive Party

  The Washington Progressive Party logo.

• Keystone Party of Pennsylvania

  The Keystone Party of Pennsylvania logo.

• Moderate Party (New Jersey)

  The Moderate Party (New Jersey) logo.

• Anti-Administration Party (United States)

  The Anti-Administration Party logo.

• National Republican Party (United States)

  The National Republican Party logo.

• Anti-Masonic Party

  The Anti-Masonic Party logo.

• Nullifier Party

  The Nullifier Party logo.

• Law and Order Party (United States)

  The Law and Order Party of Rhode Island logo.

• Liberty Party (United States, 1840)

  The Liberty Party (1840) logo.

• Know Nothing Party

  The Know Nothing Party logo.

• Free Soil Party

  The Free Soil Party logo.

• Unionist Party (United States)

  The Unionist Party (United States) logo.

• Opposition Party (Northern U.S.)

  The Opposition Party (Northern U.S.) logo.

• Opposition Party (Southern U.S.)

  The Opposition Party (Southern U.S.) logo.

• Constitutional Union Party (United States)

  The Constitutional Union Party (United States) logo.

• Unconditional Union Party

  The Unconditional Union Party logo.

• Liberal Republican Party (United States)

  The Liberal Republican Party (United States) logo.

• Anti-Monopoly Party (United States)

  The Anti-Monopoly Party logo.

• Greenback Party

  The Greenback Party logo.

• Readjuster Party

  The Readjuster Party logo.

• Labor Pary

  The Labor Party (19th century) logo.

• Populist Party (United States)

  The People's Party (1892) logo.

• Silver Party

  The Silver Party logo.

• Silver Republican Party

  The Silver Republican Party logo.

• Farmer–Labor Party

  The Farmer–Labor Party logo.

• Wisconsin Progressive Party

  The Wisconsin Progressive Party logo.

• American Labor Party

  The American Labor Party (1936) logo.

• Red

  The Non-Partisan League logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Democratic-Republican Party (1844) logo.

• Southern Rights Party

  The Southern Rights Party logo.

• National Union Party (United States)

  The National Union Party (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Radical Democracy Party (United States) logo.

• Socialist Labor Party of America

  The Socialist Labor Party of America logo.

• National Democratic Party (United States)

  The National Democratic Party (United States) logo.

• Social Democratic

  The Social Democracy of America logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The United Christian Party (United States) logo.

• Social Democratic Party (United States)

  The Social Democratic Party of America logo.

• Independence Party (United States)

  The Independence Party (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Single Tax Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Woman's Party logo.

• Nonpartisan League

  The Nonpartisan League logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Party (United States) logo.

• Labor Party of the United States

  The Labor Party of the United States logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Proletarian Party of America logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Workers Party of America logo.

• American Party (1924)

  The American Party (1924) logo.

• Progressive Party (US, 1924)

  The Progressive Party (1924) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Communist League of America logo.

• American Labor Party (1932)

  The American Labor Party (1932) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Industrial Union Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Workers Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Workers Party of the United States logo.

• Union Party (United States)

  The Union Party (United States) logo.

• America First Party (2002)

  The America First Party (1943) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Vegetarian Party logo.

• Progressive Party (US, 1948)

  The Progressive Party (1948) logo.

• Constitution Party (United States)

  The Constitution Party (1952) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National States' Rights Party logo.

• American Party (1969)

  The American Party (1969) logo.

• Raza Unida Party

  The Raza Unida Party logo.

• People's Party (US, 1971)

  The People's Party (1971) logo.

• Labor Party (United States)

  The U.S. Labor Party logo.

• Citizens Party (United States)

  The Citizens Party (United States) logo.

• New Alliance Party

  The New Alliance Party logo.

• Populist Party (US, 1984)

  The Populist Party (1984) logo.

• Green Party (United States)

  The Greens/Green Party USA logo.

• Labor Party (US, 1996)

  The Labor Party (1996) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Southern Party logo.

• Libertarian Party (United States)

  The Boston Tea Party (political party) logo.

• Independence Party (United States)

  The Independence Party of America logo.

• Modern Whig Party

  The Modern Whig Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Serve America Movement logo.

• Toleration Party

  The Toleration Party logo.

• Workingmen's Party

  The Working Men's Party (New York) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Anti-Mormon Party (Illinois) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Independent Anti-Mormon Party of Oneida County logo.

• People's Party (1850's)

  The People's Party (Utah) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Liberal Party (Utah) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Independent Reform Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Independent Party (Florida) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Home Rule Party of Hawaii logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Party (Utah) (1904) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Party (1914) logo.

• Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party

  The Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party logo.

• Progressive Democratic Party (South Carolina)

  The Progressive Democratic Party (South Carolina) logo.

• Women's Equality Party (New York)

  The Women's Equality Party (New York) logo.

• Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

  The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party logo.

• Choctaw Youth Movement

  The Choctaw Youth Movement logo.

• Labor–Farm Party of Wisconsin

  The Labor–Farm Party of Wisconsin logo.

• Solidarity Party (Illinois)

  The Illinois Solidarity Party logo.

• Republican Moderate Party of Alaska

  The Republican Moderate Party of Alaska logo.

• A Connecticut Party

  The A Connecticut Party (1990) logo.

• Conservative Party (United States)

  The New Jersey Conservative Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Independence Party of Florida logo.

• Libertarian Party (United States)

  The Personal Choice Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Party of Florida logo.

• Modern Whig Party

  The Florida Whig Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Connecticut for Lieberman logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Taxpayers Party of New York logo.

• Freedom Party of New York (1994)

  The Freedom Party of New York (2010) logo.

• United Independent Party

  The United Independent Party logo.

• Jerome Segal

  The Bread and Roses Party logo.

• Libertarian Party (US)

  The Libertarian Party of Virginia logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Tea Party of Nevada logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Puerto Rican Socialist Party logo.

• Covenant Party (Northern Mariana Islands)

  The Covenant Party (Northern Mariana Islands) logo.

• Working People's Party of Puerto Rico

  The Working People's Party (Puerto Rico) logo.

• Popular Party (Guam)

  The Popular Party (Guam) logo.

• Territorial Party

  The Territorial Party (Guam) logo.

• Popular Party (Guam)

  The Popular Party (Northern Mariana Islands) logo.

• Territorial Party

  The Territorial Party (Northern Mariana Islands) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Renaissance Party (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The American Nazi Party logo.

• Patriot Party (1970s)

  The Patriot Party (1970s) logo.

• Black Panther Party

  The Black Panther Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Youth International Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Marxist–Leninist Party, USA logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Red Guard Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Communist Workers' Party (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Socialist Party of America logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Amerindianist American Redman's Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The National Alliance (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The New Union Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The International Socialist Organization logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The White Patriot Party logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The New Party (United States) logo.

• Other Party (United States)

  The Traditionalist Worker Party logo.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Partidos políticos de Estados Unidos para niños