Final answer:
The two benefits of joining a political party when deciding to vote are being able to participate in closed primaries and increasing political engagement through public support and financial contributions to the party's candidates. Additionally, party affiliation helps voters make informed decisions at the polls.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two benefits of joining a political party when deciding to vote include the following:
- Ability to Vote in Closed Primaries: Joining a political party may enable a voter to participate in closed primaries, where only registered members of a party can vote. This allows members to have a say in which candidates will represent their party in general elections.
- Political Engagement and Support: Being part of a political party increases the likelihood of voters voicing support for that party. Party members often represent themselves as supporters publicly, may attend party events, and are more likely to provide financial support to their party's candidates during elections.
Importantly, some states require voters to declare their party affiliation at the time of registration, while others allow voters to participate in primaries without declaring a party. However, studies have shown that party identification significantly influences voting choices, especially in cases where information about candidates is limited. Hence, joining a political party can serve as a heuristic for voters to make informed decisions based on the party's platform and ideologies.