Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Chapter 10
Elections and Campaigns
19
Political Studies
10th Grade
11/05/2009

Additional Political Studies Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Incumbent
Definition
The person already holding an elective office
Term
Coattails
Definition
The alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president
Term
Political action committee (PAC)
Definition
a committee set up by a corporation,labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
Term
Malapportionment
Definition
drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
Drawing of the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
Term
Sophomore surge
Definition
an increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection
Term
Position issues
Definition
an issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions
Term
Valence issue
Definition
an issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shared beliefs
Term
General election
Definition
an election held to choose which candidate will hold office
Term
Primary election
Definition
an election held to choose candidates for office
Term
Closed primary
Definition
a primary election in which the voting is limited to already registered party members
Term
Open primary
Definition
a primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place
Term
Blanket primary
Definition
a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties
Term
Runoff primary
Definition
a second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary
Term
Independent expenditures
Definition
spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them
Term
Soft money
Definition
funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate
Term
527 Organizations
Definition
organizations that, under section 527 of the Internal Revenues Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes
Term
Prospective Voting
Definition
voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues
Term
Retrospective Voting
Definition
voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office
Supporting users have an ad free experience!