unit 9 and 10 Flashcards
political party
an association of voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control decision making in government by electing the party’s candidates to public office
two-party system
a system of government in which two parties compete for power
third party
party that challenges the two major parties
platform
a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues
plank
each individual part of a political party’s platform
stress
to place special importance or emphasis on something
promote
to encourage the acceptance or recognition of
national committee
representatives from the 50 state party organizations who run a political party
caucus
a meeting of political party members to conduct party business
precinct
a geographic area that contains a specific number of voters
ward
several adjoining precincts making up a larger election unit
political machine
a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes
direct primary
an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election
closed primary
an election in which only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for that party’s nominees
open primary
an election in which voters need not declare their party preference
plurality
the most votes among all those running for a political office
majority
a number that is more than 50 percent of the total
petition
a formal request for government action; or 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
range
a variation between limits
adjacent
neighboring or near
polling place
the location where voting is carried out
ballot
the list of candidates on which you cast your vote
absentee ballot
one that allows a person to vote without going to the polls on Election Day
returns
ballots and results of an election
exit poll
a survey taken at polling places of how many people voted
electorate
all the people who are eligible to vote
apathy
a lack of interest
ultimate
the most basic or final
devote
to dedicate oneself to
Electoral College
a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
initiative
a procedure by which citizens can propose new laws or state constitutional amendments
proposition
a petition asking for a new law
referendum
a way for citizens to vote on state or local laws
recall
a special election in which citizens can vote to remove a public official from office
elector
person appointed to vote in presidential elections for the major candidates
winner-take-all-system
a system in which the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state usually receives all of the state’s electoral votes
issue
a matter of debate or dispute
odd
additional to what is usual
propaganda
certain ideas that may involve misleading messages designed to manipulate people
political action committee
political organization established by a corporation, labor union, or other special-interest group designed to support candidates by contributing money
soft money
donations given to political parties and not designated for a particular candidate’s election campaign
incumbent
a politician who has already been elected to office
image
a representation or public perception
fee
a charge
