Chapter 10- Elections and Campaigns Flashcards
Blanket primary
A primary election in which each votor may vote for candidates from both parties
Closed primary
A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party member members.
Coattails
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.
General election
No election held to choose which candidate will hold office
Gerrymandering
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in the bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
Incumbent
The person already holding an elective office.
Independent expenditures
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that his done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.
Malapportionment
Drawing the boundaries of legislative district so they are unequal in population.
Open primary
A primary election in which voters may choose which party to vote as they enter the polling place.
Political action committee (PAC)
A committee, set up by corporation, labor union, or interest group, that raises and spend campaign money from voluntary donations.
Position issue
In issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.
Primary election
Election held to choose candidates for office.
Prospective voting
Voting for a candidate because you theater his or her ideas for handling issues.
Retrospective voting
Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office.
Runoff primary
A second primary election held when no candidate was a majority of the votes in the first primary.