Lecture 7 BISA/CQA Flashcards
527 organizations
a tax-exempt advocacy organization that seeks to influence federal elections by running issue related advertisements criticizing the record of a candidate or by mobilizing voters to register and vote
blanket primary
A primary in which voters can vote for the Democratic candidates, the Republican candidates, or some from each party
closed primary
A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
coattails
The tendency of lesser-known or weaker candidates to profit from the presence on the ticket of stronger candidate
electoral coalition
a base of committed partisans supporting an electoral candidate who also attracts swing votes
electoral realignment
the situation when a new issue of utmost importance to voters cuts across existing party divisions and replaces old issues that formerly formed the basis of party identity.
general election
An election used to fill an elective office
gerrymandering
Drawing a district in some bizarre or unusual manner in order to create an electoral advantage
incumbent
The person currently in office
malapportionment
The result of having districts of very unequal size
marginal district
Political districts in which candidates elected to the House of Representatives win in close elections, typically with less than 55 percent of the vote.
negative ad
media advertising meant to cast an unfavorable light on an opponent.
office-bloc ballot
Ballot on which all candidates are listed under the office for which they are running, making split-ticket voting easier.
open primary
Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.
party-column ballot
Type of ballot that encourages party-line voting by listing all of a party’s candidates in a column under the party name.
political action committee
A group legally able to solicit campaign contributions from individuals within an organization and, under certain restrictions, to funnel these to candidates for office
position issue
An issue dividing the electorate on which rival parties adopt different policy positions to attract voters
presidential primary
A primary held to select delegates to the presidential nominating conventions of the major parties
primary election
Forms of election held by the majority of the states, during which voters select the nominees for political parties. Winners of these elections appear on the ballot during the general election.
prospective voting
Voting for a candidate because one favors his or her ideas for addressing issues after the election
public finance law
A federal law providing funds to candidates seeking the presidency. In primaries, matching funds are available only after eligibility requirements are fulfilled. In the general election, the federal government gives candidates of major parties the option of complete financing.
retrospective voting
Voting for the candidate or party in office because one likes or dislikes how things have gone in the recent past
runoff primary
A primary in which, to be successful, the candidate must receive a majority of all votes cast in that race
safe district
Districts in which incumbents win by margins of 55 percent or more.
