Chapter 10 Elections and Campaigns

Question 1

Incumbent

Answer 1

The person already holding an elective office

Question 2

Coattails

Answer 2

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 3

Political action committee (PAC)

Answer 3

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

Question 4

Malapportionment

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Gerrymandering

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Sophomore surge

Answer 6

An increase in the votes candidates usually get when they first run for reelection

Question 7

Clothespin vote

Answer 7

The vote cast by a person who does not lie, either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two, putting a clothespin over his or her nose to keep out the unpleasant stench

Question 8

Position issue

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Valence issue

Answer 9

An issue over 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 10

General election

Answer 10

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office

Question 11

Primary election

Answer 11

An election held to choose candidates for office

Question 12

Closed primary

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Open primary

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Blanket primary

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Runoff primary

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Independent expenditures

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Soft money

Answer 17

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

527 organizations

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Prospective voting

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Retrospective voting

Answer 19

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