Chapter 13 Vocab Flashcards
Closed Primary
A primary election in which only a party’s registered voters are eligible to cast a ballot.
Conventional Political Participation
Activism that attempts to influence the political process through commonly accepted forms of persuasion such as voting or letter writing.
Crossover Voting
Participation in the primary election of a party with which the voter is not affiliated.
Elector
Members of the electoral college.
Electoral College
Representatives of each state who cast the final ballots that actually elect a president.
Electorate
The citizens eligible to vote.
Front-Loading
The tendency of state to choose an early date on the nomination calendar.
General Election
Election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices.
Incumbency
Already holding an office.
Initiative
An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitting them to the electorate for popular vote.
Mandate
A command, indicated by an electorate’s votes, for the elected officials to carry out a party platform or policy agenda.
Midterm Election
An election that takes place in the middle of a presidential term.
Open Primary
A primary election in which party members, independents, and sometimes members of the other party are allowed to participate.
Primary Election
Election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election.
Prospective Judgement
A voter’s evaluation of a candidate based on what he or she pledges to do about an issue if elected.
Reapportionment
The relocation of the number of seats in the House of Representatives after each decennial sensus.
Recall
An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office prior to the next scheduled election.
Referendum
An election whereby the state legislature submits proposed legislation or state constitutional amendments to the voters for approval.
Retrospective Judgement
A voter’s evaluation of a candidate based on past performance on a particular issue.
Runoff Primary
A second primary election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the first primary election.
Ticket-Splitting
Voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election.
Turnout
The proportion of the voting-age public that casts a ballot.
Unconventional Political Participation
Activism that attempts to influence the political process through unusual or extreme measures, such as protests, boycotts, and picketing.
