Political parties play a crucial role in influencing the electoral process by organizing campaigns, mobilizing voters, and shaping public policy agendas. They provide a platform for candidates to position themselves on key issues and help voters identify their preferences based on party ideology. Through primaries and caucuses, political parties select nominees for various offices, which can determine electoral outcomes significantly. Additionally, parties engage in fundraising activities that enable them to support their candidates’ campaigns. Overall, political parties shape the political landscape, affecting how elections are contested and how policies are developed once candidates are in office.