11/7 Political Participation Quiz (Second Half) Flashcards
Super Delegates
Unpledged delegates at the Democratic National Convention who are not bound by primary or caucus results and can vote for any candidate, typically including party leaders and elected officials.
Party Conventions
Large meetings held by political parties where delegates officially nominate presidential candidates, adopt the party platform, and energize supporters for the general election campaign.
State Elections
Elections held within a state to choose governors, state legislators, and other local officials, which may occur in even or odd years, depending on state laws.
Congressional Elections
Elections that determine who will represent states and districts in the U.S. Congress, consisting of House and Senate races. These occur every two years, with Senate races staggered over six years.
Electoral College
A body of electors established by the Constitution that formally elects the President and Vice President. Each state’s number of electors equals its total number of members in Congress.
National Popular Vote
The total number of votes cast for a presidential candidate across the entire country, which does not directly determine the outcome of the election due to the Electoral College.
Professional Consultants
Specialists hired by political campaigns to provide expertise in areas such as media strategy, polling, and voter outreach to help candidates win elections.
Election Cycles
The regular sequence of elections, usually following a two- or four-year pattern, in which federal, state, and local offices are contested.
PACs
Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to elect or defeat political candidates, subject to contribution limits and federal regulations.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) 2002
Also known as the McCain-Feingold Act, this law aimed to regulate campaign financing by banning “soft money” contributions and setting limits on campaign ads.
Soft Money
Unlimited funding collected by political parties intended for party strengthening that is not directly tied to a specific candidate, banned under the BCRA.
“Stand By Your Ad”
A provision of the BCRA that requires candidates to verbally state their approval of political ads, typically through phrases like “I’m [Name], and I approve this message.”
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (FEC) (2010)
A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, as long as they do not coordinate directly with candidates.
Super PACs
Independent political committees that can raise and spend unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates but are prohibited from direct coordination with campaigns or candidates.
Interest Groups
Organizations that advocate for specific policies or causes and try to influence public officials and legislation to align with their interests.
Lobbyists
Individuals or groups who attempt to influence lawmakers and public officials on behalf of interest groups or clients, often by providing information or campaign contributions.
“Free Rider” Problem
The challenge interest groups face when people benefit from their efforts without actively contributing or participating, especially in the case of public goods or common causes.
Amicus Curiae Brief
A “friend of the court” brief submitted by interest groups or individuals not directly involved in a case but who have a strong interest in the outcome, aiming to provide additional perspectives.
Single-Issue Groups
Interest groups that focus on one specific policy area, such as gun rights, abortion, or environmental protection, and often influence elections based on that issue alone.
Ideological/Social Movements
Broad movements driven by a set of beliefs or values that seek to bring about social or political change, such as the Civil Rights Movement or environmental advocacy.
Protest Movements
Organized efforts to bring attention to a political or social cause, often through demonstrations, rallies, or other public actions aimed at influencing policy.
Traditional News Media
Established media organizations, such as newspapers, television networks, and radio stations, that report news and provide analysis using journalistic standards.
Social Media
Online platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram that facilitate the rapid spread of information and allow for political engagement, campaigning, and discussion.
Gatekeeper
The role of the media in deciding which news stories are covered and how much attention they receive, thereby shaping the public agenda.
Watchdog Role
The media’s role in holding government officials accountable by investigating and exposing misconduct, corruption, or policy failures.
Investigative Journalism
In-depth reporting that seeks to uncover hidden truths, often about government or corporate malfeasance, through detailed research and analysis.
Election Coverage
Media reporting on political campaigns, candidates, and election results, often focusing on polling, debates, and key issues.
Horse Race Journalism
News coverage that focuses more on polling data, campaign strategies, and who’s ahead or behind in the race, rather than on policy issues.
Political Commentary
Opinions and analysis provided by journalists, pundits, or politicians on political events, often reflecting personal or partisan viewpoints.
Media Bias
The perceived or real favoritism that media outlets show toward certain political ideologies or candidates, which can influence public opinion and the framing of issues.
Media Ownership
The concentration of media companies under a few corporate entities, raising concerns about diversity of perspectives and the influence of corporate interests on news coverage.
Partisan News Sites
Online news platforms that openly support specific political parties or ideologies, often blurring the lines between news and opinion content.
