US - Elections Definitions Flashcards
A primary
A state-based election to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency, A presidential primary shows support for a candidate among ordinary voters and chooses delegates committed to vote for that candidate at the National Party Convention (NPC) (state based)
A caucus
A state-based series of meetings for the selection of a party’s presidential candidate for the presidency, they are held in a few geographically large but thinly populated states, they serve the same function as the presidential primaries, it is a public gathering/vote
Super Tuesday
A Tuesday in February or early March when a number of states coincide their presidential primaries and caucuses to try to gain influence
Front loading
Where a state tries to schedule its presidential primaries and caucuses earlier in the election cycle in an attempt to increase its importance
Closed primary
A primary in which only registered Democrats can vote in the Democrat primary, and only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary
Open primary
A primary in which any registered voter can vote in either party’s primary
Proportional primaries
Presidential primaries in which delegates are awarded to candidates in proportion with how many votes they get
Winner-takes-all primaries
Presidential primaries, permitted only by the Republicans, in which whoever gets the most votes wins all that state’s delegates
Direct democracy
A form of democratic government in which all citizens participate directly and at an equal level in voting, making decisions and passing laws
Proposition or initiative
An electoral device by which citizens of a state can place proposed laws, and in some states, proposed constitutional amendments on the state ballot
Referendum
An electoral device by which voters can effectively veto a bill passed by their state legislature
Recall election
An electoral device by which voters in a state can remove an elected official from office before their term has expired
