Institutions

Question 1

Rational-Choice Theory

Answer 1

Theory assuming that voters politically participate based on their best interest and what the candidate will do for them

Question 2

Ticket Splitting

Answer 2

Voting on different parties for different offices

Question 3

Party Machines

Answer 3

A political party that relies on material value like patronage to gain support in elections

Question 4

Patronage

Answer 4

Used by party machines, employment based on politics rather than merit, spoils system.

Question 5

National Party Conventions

Answer 5

Every 4 years, party delegates meet to determine the party’s platform and possible candidates

Question 6

National Committee

Answer 6

Committee of state and territory representatives that keeps the party operating between conventions

Question 7

National Chairperson

Answer 7

Chair of a party, responsible for daily activities of the party

Question 8

Coalition

Answer 8

A faction of individuals with similar interests and views

Question 9

Critical election

Answer 9

An election where fissures occur within party coalitions, dividing the vote

Question 10

Party realignment

Answer 10

Overtaking of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election or presidential inauguration

Question 11

Party realignment

Answer 11

Disengagement of people from partisan politics over time, party switcg

Question 12

Proportional Representation

Answer 12

Electoral system that awards seats to parties in proportion to the number of votes won, used in Europe

Question 13

Superdelegates

Answer 13

Party leaders who receive an automatic delegate position at the National Convention

Question 14

Invisible Primary

Answer 14

A period before voting where candidates compete for public support

Question 15

Frontloading

Answer 15

The practice of states holding early primaries to gain media attention

Question 16

Direct Mail

Answer 16

Campaign funding method where information and donation requests are sent to a mailing list of people who have previously supported the party

Question 17

Independent Expenditures

Answer 17

Political expenses that are made by groups unrelated to a campaign

Question 18

Federal Elections Campaign Act (FECA)

Answer 18

1974 reform act that created the FEC, limiting and requiring disclosure of political donations

Question 19

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Answer 19

Committees that independently gather money from individuals and give to campaigns

Question 20

527 groups

Answer 20

Independent groups that don’t have donation restrictions because they aren’t advocating for a specific candidates election

Question 21

501c groups

Answer 21

Groups that don’t need to report their political donations because of section 501c tax codes

Question 22

Super PACs

Answer 22

Groups that can accept donations of any size and endorse candidates, periodically reported to FEC

Question 23

Political Efficacy

Answer 23

Idea that political participation matters and that voting makes a difference