Chapter 9 & 10 Vocabulary

Question 1

Australian Ballot

Answer 1

A secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense. Since 1888, all states have used the Australian ballot rather than an open, public ballot.

Question 2

Battleground state

Answer 2

A state that is likely to be so closely fought that the campaigns devote exceptional effort to winning the popular and electoral vote

Question 3

Beauty Contest

Answer 3

A presidential primary in which contending candidates compete for popular votes but the results do not control the selection of delegates to the national convention.

Question 4

Caucus

Answer 4

A meeting of party members designed to select candidates and propose policies.

Question 5

Coattail Effect

Answer 5

The influence of a popular candidate on the electoral success of other candidates on the same party ticket. The effect is increased by the party-column ballot, which encourages straight-ticket voting.

Question 6

Communications director

Answer 6

A proffessional specialist who plans the communications strategy and advertising campaign for the candidate

Question 7

Corrupt Practices Acts

Answer 7

A series of acts passed by Congress in an attempt to limit and regulate the size and sources of contributions and expenditures in political campaigns.

Question 8

Credentials Committee

Answer 8

A committee used by political parties at their national conventions to determine which delegates may participate. The committee inspects the claim of each prospective delegate to be seated as a legitimate representative of his or her state.

Question 9

Elector

Answer 9

A member of the electoral college, which selects the president and vice president

Question 10

Finance chairperson

Answer 10

The campaign professional who directs fundraising, campaign spending, and compliance with campaign-finance laws and reporting requirements

Question 11

Focus Group

Answer 11

A small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant in order to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues.

Question 12

Front-Loading

Answer 12

The practice of moving presidential primary elections to the early part of the campaign to maximize the impact of these primaries on the nomination.

Question 13

Front-Runner

Answer 13

The presidential candidate who appears to be ahead at a given time in the primary season.

Question 14

Get Out the Vote

Answer 14

g=This phrase describes the multiple efforts expended by campaigns to get voters out to the polls on election day

Question 15

Hard money

Answer 15

this refers to political contributions and campaign spending that is recorded under the regulations set forth in law and by the Federal Election Commission

Question 16

Hatch Act

Answer 16

An act passed in 1939 that restricted the political activities of government employees. It also prohibited a political group from spending more than $3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to $5,000.

Question 17

Independent Expenditures

Answer 17

Nonregulated contributions from PACs, organizations, and individuals. The funds may be spent on advertising or other campaign activities so long as those expenditures are not coordinated with those of a candidate.

Question 18

Indiana Ballot

Answer 18

A form of general election ballot in which all of a party’s candidates for elective office are arranged in one column under the party’s label and symbol. It emphasizes voting for the party, rather than for the office or individual.

Question 19

Issue Advocacy Advertising

Answer 19

Advertising paid for by interest groups that support or oppose a candidate or a candidate’s position on an issue without mentioning voting or elections

Question 20

Massachusetts Ballot

Answer 20

A form of general election ballot in which candidates for elective office are grouped together under the title of each office. It emphasizes voting for the office and the individual candidate, rather than for the party.

Question 21

Open Primary

Answer 21

A primary in which any registered voter can vote (but must vote for candidates of only one party).

Question 22

Political Action Committee

Answer 22

A committee set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special interest group. PACs raise and give campaign donations.

Question 23

Political Consultant

Answer 23

A paid professional hired to devise a campaign strategy and manage a campaign.

Question 24

Pollster

Answer 24

the person or firm who conducts public opinion polls for the campaign

Question 25

Presidential Primary

Answer 25

A statewide primary election of delegates to a political party’s national convention, held to determine a party’s presidential nominee.

Question 26

Press Secretary

Answer 26

The individual responsible for representing the White House before the media. The press secretary writes news releases, provides background information, sets up press conferences, and generally handles communication for the White House.

Question 27

Rational Ignorance Effect

Answer 27

An effect produced when people purposely and rationally decide not to become informed on an issue because they believe that their vote on the issue is not likely to be a deciding one; a lack of incentive to seek the necessary information to cast an intelligent vote.

Question 28

Registration

Answer 28

The entry of a person’s name onto the list of registered voters for elections. To register, a person must meet certain legal requirements Of age, citizenship, and residency.

Question 29

Soft Money

Answer 29

Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.

Question 30

Superdelegate

Answer 30

A party leader or elected official who is given the right to vote at the party’s national convention. Superdelegates are not elected at the state level.

Question 31

Tracking Poll

Answer 31

A poll taken for the candidate on a nearly daily basis as election day approaches.

Question 32

Voter Turnout

Answer 32

The percentage of citizens taking part in the election process; the number of eligible voters that actually “turn out” on election day to cast their ballots.

Question 33

Closed Primary

Answer 33

A type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member.