Chapter 9 Flashcards
plurality system
Electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if s/he doesn’t receive the majority; used in most American elections
personal following
Political support provided to a candidate on the basis of personal popularity and networks
party-column ballot
Ballot listing all candidates of a given party together under the name of that party; also called “Indiana” ballot
office-bloc ballot
Ballot listing all candidates of a given office under the name of that office; also called “Massachusetts” ballot
national convention
Meeting of party delegates held every four years
national committee
Delegates who run party affairs between national convention
national chair
Day-to-day party manager elected by national committee
ideological party
Party that values principled stands on issues above all else
mugwumps or progressives
Republican Party faction of 1890s-1910s, composed of reformers who opposed patronage
critical or realignment periods
Period when major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting me or both parties
congressional campaign
Party committee in congress that provides funds to members and would-be members
caucus
Meeting of party members to select delegates backing one or another primary candidate
two-party system
Electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections
superdelegates
Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses
straight ticket
Voting for candidates of the same party
