Running For Congress Flashcards
What are safe seats?
An elected official that is predictably won by one party.
What is an incumbent candidate?
Current holder of office.
What is partisan gerrymandering?
When political group tries to change a voting district to create a result that helps them or hurts the opposing party.
What are voting districts?
Subdivision of states created to provide the population with representation in larger state’s legislative body.
Do Incumbents or challengers have more of an advantage?
Incumbents
When is competition more likely between house candidates running?
When they have adequate funding.
What is the coattail effect?
Boost candidates get in elections because of popularity of presidential candidate above them.
How do candidates mount a primary campaign?
Raising money to advertise
Build personal organizations
Get publicity from community and media
What is candidate appeal?
Tendency to focus on personal attributes of a candidate.
What is a National Tide? How can its impact be reduced?
Inclination to focus on National Issues rather than local issues.
Can be reduced by nature of candidates to differentiate themselves from their party or its leader.
What is name recognition?
Incumbents have an advantage over challengers because voters are more familiar with them.
Does Congress have term limits?
No
How many years do the house of reps get per term?
2 years
How many years is a term for a senator?
6 years
What is franking?
Ability to send mail without stamp and only signature.
