Final Exam Flashcards
Campaign
An effort to secure an elective position.
Election
The process of voting.
Primary Election
An election to select a parties candidate for the next election/general election.
General Election
A regularly scheduled election.
The 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November.
Presidential Election
President elected through the Electoral College, which is the most unique and creative part of our Constitution.
The 1st Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December.
Closed Primary
You’re going to have to declare your party early to make a vote and then you can only vote in that party for a primary.
Open Primary
The elector can wait until the day of the primary to declare what party they’re going to vote for.
Referendum
The state legislature refers past laws to the people for popular vote.
Recall
When a public official by petition of the citizens must run for re-election before the end of their term.
Ballot Initiative
Citizens who by petition propose a law policy change by vote.
Majority System
The candidate must receive a majority of votes to win.
Plurality System
The person with the most votes win.
Proportional Representation
Parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast to them.
Single-Member District
You get one person to represent you in that district (district in a state) from the House of Representatives.
Multiple-Member District
Each political party is represented in preparation to its percentage of the total vote.
Incumbent
The person already holding the elective office.
Platform
Document that establishes the party’s philosophy, principles, and positions on issues.
Planks
Make up a platform and are a position on a specific issue.
Split-Ticket Voting
You can go in and vote for some people from one party and other candidates from another party.
Straight-Ticket Voting
Choose a single party and all votes go for everyone in that party running.
Coattail Effect
Part of Straight-Ticket Voting; Knowing the president is in a certain party, so you vote for that party and the candidates get elected by riding the coat tail of the primary candidate.
Influences on Voter Decisions
Party Loyalty, Issues & Policies, and Candidate Characteristics
Party Loyalty
Just vote for the party you’re attached to, even without knowing the candidate.
Issues & Policies
Based on prioritized issues of the voters and where the candidate stands on those issues and policies.