Unit 3 Vocab Flashcards
Speaker of the House
The leader of the House of Representatives chosen by the majority party
Filibuster
A Senate tactic to delay or block a vote
Quorum
The minimum number of members needed to make decisions (more than half)
Standing Committee
A permanent group in Congress that usually focuses on a specific topic
Select Committee
A temporary group in Congress for a specific purpose
Casework
When members of Congress assist citizens with federal agencies and services
Conference Committee
A group appointed by the officers of Congress to resolve differences on a bill passed by each chamber
Delegate Model
Representatives vote based on the people’s wants
Trustee Model
Representatives vote based on judgement
Proportional Representation
An election system where seats are given according to percent of votes a party gets
Plurality (Winner-Take-All) System
An election system where the candidate with the most votes wins
Duverger’s Law
In plurality systems, third parties should not expect to win
Realignment
A major shift in a party’s supporters and policies
Open Primary
Primary elections where anyone may participate
Closed Primary
Primary elections where only those registered in a party may vote
Incumbent
The current officeholder
Safe Seat
An elected office that is usually won by a certain political party
Rational-Choice Voting
Voting based on who best serves personal interests
Retrospective Voting
Voting based on a candidate’s past actions
Prospective Voting
Voting based on a candidate’s future promises
Party-Line Voting
Voting for a candidate based on party only
Reapportionment
Redistributing seats in congress after a census
Redistricting
Redrawing district boundaries based on population changes
Gerrymandering
Manipulating district boundaries based on population changes
Split-Ticket Voting
Voting one party for president and another for Congress
Lobbyist
A person who tries to influence lawmakers on behalf of an interest group
Soft Money
Party donations with less restrictions
Hard Money
Limited and declared donations to candidates
PAC (Political Action Committee)
A group that raises funds for candidates of political parties
Super PAC
A PAC that can’t endorse a candidate but can donate money to their party
