Chapter 10 Vocab Flashcards
Coat tails
The 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
Political action committee (PAC)
He 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 the population
Gerrymandering
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
Sophomore surge
And increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelections
Position issues
An issue about which the public is divided in 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 a similar position 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
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
The primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
Runoff primary
A second primary election help when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary
Independent expenditures
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them
Soft money
Funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as gift-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate
