Unit 3 Flashcards
What is a multi-party system?
A political system that allows more than one party, such as a parliamentary system.
What significant event took place during the election of 1800?
Thomas Jefferson defeats John Adams in the first peaceful transfer of power in world history.
Define political parties.
A group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government, and influence government policies.
What are ideologies?
Basic beliefs about government.
What characterizes a two-party system?
When two parties dominate government.
What is a third party?
Any party other than the two major parties.
Define single-issue parties.
A party that only addresses one specific issue.
What are splinter parties?
Parties that split away from one of the major parties due to some disagreement.
Name a famous splinter party.
The Bull Moose Party, associated with Teddy Roosevelt.
What is a single-member district?
An electoral district where only one candidate wins, regardless of how many people run.
Explain proportional representation.
Elections where the proportion of voters fills each position.
What is an ideological party?
A party that wants to change society as a whole.
What is a one-party system?
A system where the party and the government are one and the same.
Define independent voters.
Voters who do not support a particular party.
What is a precinct?
Basic local units in the political organization.
What is a ward?
Several precincts that have joined together.
What happens at a national convention?
It occurs every four years during even-numbered years to elect a party ticket.
What is the role of the party national chairperson?
Elected to run the operations of each national party.
What is the national committee?
A group that helps elect the leaders of each party.
Define patronage.
The practice of giving rewards or favors to loyal party members.
What is a non-partisan primary?
An election in which candidates do not identify with a party.
What is a caucus?
Public meetings of party members who vote openly for their candidate.
What is a nominating convention?
A public meeting in which party bosses usually nominate a candidate for office.
What does ‘boss’ refer to in the context of nominating conventions?
A person connected with nominating conventions who dominates the process.
Define direct primary.
A method of nominating candidates through an election.
What is a closed primary?
A primary where only party members may vote for their candidate.
What is an open primary?
A primary where voters can choose candidates from any party.
What does plurality or first-past-the-post mean?
A system where a candidate only needs one more vote than the other person to win.
What is a runoff primary?
An election where candidates may have to compete in a second election if no one secures a majority.
What is a ticket in political terms?
The party’s candidates for president and vice president.
What is a party platform?
A party statement of their beliefs and positions on issues.
Define planks in the context of a party platform.
Individual positions that may cause division within the party.
What are convention delegates?
Party members from each state who go to the national convention to vote for president and vice president.
What is the most important communication tool in election campaigns?
Television (TV).
What is the role of a campaign manager?
The person responsible for the strategy and planning of a candidate.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
An organization formed by interest groups to collect money and provide financial support.
Differentiate between soft money and hard money.
Hard money is tracked and given directly to candidates; soft money is untracked and funneled to candidates.
What does the Federal Election Campaign Act require?
Candidates must disclose their spending and sources of money for elections.
What is the Federal Election Commission?
The group responsible for monitoring federal election money.
What is issue advocacy advertising?
Groups that support an issue instead of a candidate and argue for voting in their favor.
Define suffrage.
The ability to vote.
What is a grandfather clause?
A requirement that an ancestor must have voted before a certain year.
What is a poll tax?
A fee required to vote, eventually outlawed by the 24th amendment.
What does the Voting Rights Act of 1965 do?
Allows the federal government to intervene in elections if discrimination is suspected.
What does the 15th Amendment state?
All males can vote (universal male suffrage).
What does the 19th Amendment establish?
All females can vote (universal women’s suffrage).
What change did the 26th Amendment bring?
Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.
Who is a cross-pressured voter?
An individual who struggles to vote due to differing beliefs among parties.
What is a straight party ticket?
A ballot where a voter selects candidates only from their party.
What is propaganda?
Half-truths and deception used to influence public opinion.
What is the coattail effect?
When voters elect candidates from the winning party during a presidential election.
What is early voting?
Voting that occurs before election day.
Who are swing voters?
Individuals whose votes can change the outcome of an election.
What does the Motor Voter Act allow?
Allows vehicle registration and voter registration in the same office.
When is Election Day?
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years.
Who were the original founders of voting rights?
White landowning tax-paying males.
What are independent voters?
Registered voters who do not associate with a particular party.
What is the Electoral College?
The system used in the U.S. for voting, based on the number of House members plus Senate.
Who was Alice Paul?
A militant leader of the women’s suffrage movement.
What is absentee voting?
Mail-in ballots that allow individuals to vote remotely.
What is an Australian ballot?
A method of private voting.
What is a polling place?
The actual location where voting takes place.
What are the requirements to register to vote?
Must be U.S. citizens and residents of the state.
What was the outcome of Citizens United vs. FEC?
It allowed corporations unlimited spending on elections.
What was the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention?
The first national women’s suffrage convention, held in 1848.
What is a precinct captain?
A volunteer who runs and organizes the local party.
What is a coalition government?
When parties combine to form a majority in a multi-party system.
What does the Rules Committee do?
Creates rules for how each party will run their national convention.
What is the task of the Credentials Committee?
To approve the delegates from each state.
What is a permanent organization in a political party?
The committee responsible for selecting the chairperson and officials.
What is patronage in political terms?
Rewarding party loyalty after winning an election.
Define theocracy.
A government dominated by religion.
Who was Alexander Hamilton?
The first secretary of treasury and early leader of the Federalist Party.
What warning did George Washington give in his farewell address?
He warned about the dangers of political parties.
Who was the first Democratic president in American history?
Andrew Jackson, elected in 1828.
Who was the first Republican president?
Abraham Lincoln, elected in 1860.
Who was Geraldine Ferraro?
The first female on a major ticket as vice president.
Who is the national chairperson of the Republican Party?
RNC - KC Crosvie.
Who is the national chairperson of the Democratic Party?
DNC - Ken Martin.
What state holds the first caucus?
Iowa.
What state holds the first primary?
New Hampshire.
Who created the first voting machine?
Thomas Edison.
Who was Jennette Rankin?
The first female in Congress.
What state was the first to give women the right to vote?
Wyoming.
Who created the Democrat donkey and Republican elephant symbols?
Thomas Nast.
Who were Thomas Jefferson and James Madison?
Early political leaders of the Democratic-Republican Party.
