Unit 5 IDs? Flashcards
Linkage Institutions
Channels through which people’s concerns become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
Rational-choice theory
Theory that assumes individuals act in their own best interest when voting.
Split-ticket voting
Voting with one party for one office and with another party for another office.
Critical Election
An electoral “earthquake” where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party
Party Realignment
Displacement of majority party by minority party
Winner-take-all system
Electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded to only the candidates who come in first in their constituencies.
Superdelegates
National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the DNC
Caucus
A system for selective convention delegates used in around a dozen states where voters must attend an open meeting to express presidential preference
Frontloading
Recent tendency of states to hold primaries early to capitalize on media attention.
Political Action Committees
Groups that raise money from individuals and then contribute to candidates they support.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Bipartisan agency to administer and enforce campaign finance laws.
Soft Money
Money used for party-building expenses at the grassroots level
Independent Expenditures
Expenses on behalf of political message, uncoordinated with the campaigns.
Super PACs
Independent-expenditure-only PACs that accept donations of any size and endorse specific candidates
Swing/Battleground State
Key states in presidential elections since they can go either way.
