Test Flashcards
Precinct
a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters
Plank
each individual part of a political party’s platform
National Committee
representatives from the 50 state party organizations who run a political party
Direct Primary
an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election
Grassroots
these are depended on to build the party at a neighborhood level
Third Party
a party that challenges the two major parties
Political Party
an association of voters with broad common interest who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party’s candidates to public office
Watchdog
someone that watches over something for mistakes
Petition
a process by which candidates who are not affiliated with one of the two major parties can get on the ballot for the general election in most states
Candidate
is a person running for something
Political machine
a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes
Open Primary
an election in which voters need not declare their party preference
Closed Primary
only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees.
Ward
several adjoining precincts making up a larger election unit
Two-Party system
a system of government in which two parties compete for power
Platform
a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues
Caucus
a meeting of political party members to conduct party business
Electoral College
a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
Primary Election
nomination of candidates
Private funding
is more like a gift or donation
Straight- ticket voting
voting for all the candidates in one political party
split ticket voting
choose some candidates from one party and some from another
Canvassing
when candidates or campaign workers travel through neighborhoods asking for votes or taking public opinion polls
referendum
a way for citizens to vote on state or local laws
Endorsement
when a famous and popular person supports or campaigns for a candidate
Political action committee (PAC)
political organization established by a corporation, labor union, or other special- interest group designed to support candidates by contributing money
Winner take all
a system in which the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually receives all of the states electoral votes
Polling Place
the location where voting is carried out
Absentee ballot
one that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on Election day
Electorate
all the people who are eligible to vote
General Election
the voters choose candidates for various offices
Electors
person appointed to vote in presidential elections for the major candidates
Public Opinion
the ideas and attitudes that most people hold about elected officials, candidates, government, and political issues
Interest Group
a group of people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs
Public opinion poll
a survey in which individuals are asked to answer questions about a particular issue or person
Pollster
a specialist whose job is to conduct polls
Print media
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books
Electronic media
radio, television, and the Internet
public agenda
issues considered most significant by government officials
nonpartisan
free from party ties or bias
lobbyist
representative of an interest group who contacts lawmakers or other government officials directly to influence their policy making
mass media
a mechanism of mass communication, including television, radio, newspapers, magazines, recordings, movies, the Internet, and books
leak
the release of secret government information by anonymous government officials to the media
libel
written untruths that are harmful to someone’s reputation
malice
evil intent
prior restraint
government censorship of material before it is published
Prohibitionist party
single issue party, banning alcohol
Democratic party
political party tending to favor more government
Republican Party
political party tending to favor less government
Presidential election campaign fund
designate $3 from your taxes
The voters information bulletin
useful information about politics
McCain- Feingold Act
prohibits the amount of soft money donations
National Voter Registration Act
register to vote when you renew your drivers license
McConnell v. federal election commission
supreme court case, apeled constitutionality of the McCain- Feingold Act
Buckley v. valeo
supreme court case, government could limit campaign contributions
Which leader warned americans that political parties may have harmful effects?
George Washington
Federalists believed that the best way to protect individual rights was to have a strong
National government
What kind of political party system do most democracies have?
Multi party system
Who writes a party’s platform at its national convention?
Delegates
What is the main event at a national convention?
Nominating the candidate for president
What is the role of a party committee at the county level?
Support local, federal, and state officials
How does a candidate who is not a Democrat or a Republican get their name on the ballot for a general election?
submit a petition
Thomas Jefferson believed that strong state governments would protect individual rights better than a strong national government because state are
closer to the citizens
A breakaway group of Democrats and Whigs formed the Republican Party in 1854 because they tended to oppose
slavery
The purpose of congressional campaign committees is to
help elect their party members
To win a primary election in most states, a candidate must receive a
plurality of the votes
What are the requirements for voting in the U.S.?
18, registered to vote, and a citizen
What are the characteristics of voters in the U.S.?
usually educated, middle aged, positive attitudes towards government
What is the purpose of a runoff election?
No one has received the majority and the top two continue
What has been the main function of political parties’ national conventions in recent years?
To kick off the campaign
Who do PACs give most of their money to?
incumbents
What is the difference between soft money and hard money?
Soft money more unlimited because it goes the party, hard money limited and is going directly to a specific person
What is the purpose of recent campaign reform legislation?
Putting limitations and focus on many small donations
What component of public opinion can be expressed as positive or negative?
Direction
What is random sampling?
Attempts to contribute to accuracy
What are media shield laws?
Protects them so the do not have to reveal their sources
Why would politicians leak information?
Test reactions
