Chapter 8 vocab Flashcards
Political party
An association of voters with broad common interest who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party’s candidates to public office.
Two-party system
A system of government in which two parties compete for power.
Third party
A political party that challenges the two major parties.
Platform
A series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs and positions on election issues.
Stress
To place special importance or emphasis on something.
Promote
To advance a cause or an idea.
National committee
Representatives from the 50 states party organizations who run a political party.
Caucus
A meeting of political party members to conduct party business.
Precinct
A geographic area that contains a specific number of voters.
Political machine
A strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes.
Direct primary
An election in which voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election.
Closed primary
An election in which only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees.
Open primary
An election in which voters need not declare their party preference.
Plurality
The most votes among all those running for a political office.
Majority
A number that is more than 50 percent of the total.
