Chapter 10: Elections and Campaigns Flashcards
Coattails
The alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of a ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president.
political action committee (PAC)
A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations.
Malapportionment
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population.
Gerrymandering
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party.
Sophomore Surge
An increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection.
Clothespin Vote
The vote cast by a person who does not like 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.
Position Issue
An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions.
Valence Issue
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.
General Election
An election held to choose which candidate will hold office.
Primary Election
An election held to choose candidates for office.
Closed Primary
A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members.
Open Primary
A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place.
Blanket Primary
A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties.
Runoff Primary
A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary.
Independent Expenditures
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions to help a party or candidate but done independently of them.
