CREATE TABLE table_203_609 (id DECIMAL, "#" DECIMAL, "matters" TEXT, "sections of the constitution allowing their institution" TEXT, "eligible petitioners" TEXT, "type" TEXT)

how many matters have political party as their type ?
SELECT COUNT("matters") FROM table_203_609 WHERE "type" = 'political party'
SELECT COUNT("matters") FROM "table_203_609" WHERE "type" = 'political party'