Ch10

Question 1

blanket primary

Answer 1

A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties.

Question 2

Closed primary

Answer 2

A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members.

Question 3

coattails

Answer 3

The alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president.

Question 4

General election

Answer 4

An election held to chose which candidate will hold office

Question 5

gerrymandering

Answer 5

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party.

Question 6

incumbent

Answer 6

The person already holding an elective office

Question 7

independent expenditures

Answer 7

Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.

Question 8

malapportionment

Answer 8

Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population.

Question 9

open primary

Answer 9

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place.

Question 10

political action committee (PAC)

Answer 10

A committee, set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group, that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations.

Question 11

position issue

Answer 11

An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.

Question 12

Primary election

Answer 12

An election held to chose candidates for office

Question 13

prospective voting

Answer 13

Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues.

Question 14

retrospective voting

Answer 14

Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office.

Question 15

runoff primary

Answer 15

A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary.

Question 16

soft money

Answer 16

Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate.

Question 17

sophomore surge

Answer 17

An increase in the votes congressional candidate usually get when they first run for re-election.

Question 18

valence issue

Answer 18

An issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shared beliefs.

Question 19

527 organizations

Answer 19

Organizations that, under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes.