Chapter 13 Study Guide Flashcards
Closed Primary
Election in which only party members are allowed to vote
Caucus
Voters gather to listen to delegates summarize each candidates’ political platforms before voting
Front Loading
States choose an earlier date on the primary calendar
Referendum
State legislature proposes a written bill for reform
Voter Turnout
Proportion of voting age public that votes
Motor Voter Act 1993
Requires state to allow people to register to vote at the DMV
Political Efficacy
Belief that one’s political participation really matters and that their vote will actually make a difference
Electoral College
Process in which we elect our President
Retrospective Voting
Looking at past issues when considering a vote
Initiative
Citizen written bill sent to the state for reform; petition
Party Realignments
Certain demographics changing political sides
Secular Realignment
People moving away from the party system and choosing to “decline to state” rather than affiliate with one of the two major parties
Delegates
Someone who represents a candidate and promotes their election at caucuses, etc.
Midterm Election
Elections in the middle of the President’s term
Direct Elections
Election of an official directly by the people, rather than by an intermediary group
Plurality
Number of votes for the candidate receiving the greatest number
Solid South
The Democratic voting record of the south before 1950
Single Member District System
An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official
Multiple Member District System
An electoral district with more than one representative or official
General Election
Election between all parties to see who will take office
Baker vs. Carr (1962)
Ordered state districts to be as near equal as possible in population; “one man, one vote”
National Convention
Televised event in which delegates rally and lots of speeches are given
Open Primary
Election in which the voter gets to choose which ballot to vote for; you could be an independent or party member
Blanket Primary
All parties are present on one ballot so you don’t have to verbally affiliate yourself
Primaries
Election in which voters choose who within a party will represent the party in the general election
Super delegates
Delegates who can vote for any candidate at the National Convention
Suffrage
The right to vote
Voter Registration
System designed to reduce voter fraud by requiring voters to register well in advance of Election Day
Civic Duty
Belief that it is every citizen’s responsibility to vote
Winner Take All
Republican method of voting in that if one candidate wins the popular vote for a state, they win all of the delegates and electoral votes of that state as well
Prospective Voting
Choosing a candidate based on their methods of taking action on future events and issues that arise
Faithless Elector
Members of the electoral college who don’t vote for who they are pledged to vote for
Critical Elections
A party era ends and new one begins
Gerrymandering
Drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a party or group
National Primary
Propose we have a nationwide primary held early in election year
Coattail Effect
Candidate brings another successful candidate with them into office to support their ideas and share similar views towards issues
Incumbent
Someone who is already in office and is running for another term
Super Tuesday
A Tuesday early in March in which many presidential primaries are held
Safe Seat
A position that is predictably won by one party so the success of the party’s candidate is almost taken for granted because it is so secure
Gender Gap
Voting and political difference between men and women
Wesberry vs. Sanders (1963)
Emphasizing that states must redraw their district lines it be as near equal as possible in population
Running Mate
Person who runs with someone in an election but is given the less important position
Balanced Ticket
Occurs when a presidential nominee chooses a vice presidential running mate who has different qualities in order to attract more votes
Mandate
A command for the elected officials to carry out their platforms once a candidate receives over 50% of the popular vote
