5.4

• Parties have adapted to candidate-centered campaigns where the focus is on candidate characteristics & not the party
• Parties have changed their platforms (policies & messaging) over time to appeal to more demographic coalitions
• Coalitions

  Demographic groups
• Altering Party Structure

  • Party Realignment: Happens in elections where this is a realignment of political party support among voters
  • Campaign Finance Laws: Changed how much money can be given to candidates & parties
  • Changes in communication & data management technology: Changed a party's ability to mine data on certain groups & using that data to appeal to them