Chapter 10 Campaigns and Elections Flashcards
Time, Manner, Place of Elections
The Constitutional Clause that delegates control of elections to the state government
Bundling
A form of fundraising in which an individual persuades others to donate large amounts that are then delivered together to a candidate or campaign
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization of at least fifty people, affiliated with an interest group that is permitted to make contributions to candidates for federal office
Super PACs
Organizations that are permitted to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to promote a candidate or publicize a cause. However, they may not directly contribute to a candidate or coordinate with a campaign
527 Groups
Organizations governed by Section 527 of the federal tax code; they are allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts for “issue advocacy” but are forbidden to coordinate their efforts with any candidate or campaign
Super Tuesday
The date on the presidential primary calendar when multiple states hold primaries and caucuses
Winner-Take-All
The electoral system used in U.S. general presidential as well as many primary and other elections. the candidate receiving a simple majority (or, among multiple candidates, a plurality) receives all electoral votes or primary delegates. Sometimes called “first-past-the-post”
Proportional Representation
The allocation of votes or delegates on the basis of the percentage of the vote received; contrasts with the winner-take-all-system
Electoral Bounce
The spike in the polls that follows an event such as a party’s national convention
Incumbency Advantage
The tendency for members of Congress to win reelection in overwhelming numbers
Midterm Elections
National elections held between presidential elections, involving all seats in the House of Representatives, one-third of those in the Senate, thirty-six governorships, and other positions
Reapportionment
Reorganization of the boundaries of House districts, a process that follows the results of the U.S. census, taken every ten years. District lines are redrawn to ensure enough equality in the number of constituents represented by each House member
Gerrymander
Redrawing an election district in a way that gives the advantage to one party
Candidate-Centered Elections
A political system in which individual candidates decide to run, raise their own money, and design their own strategy as opposed to party systems, in which political parties play these roles
Call List
A long list of potential donors whom candidates must phone
