Chapter 10 Flashcards
Coattails
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
Political action committee (PAC)
A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations
Malapportionment
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population
Gerrymandering
Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party
Sophomore surge
An increase in the votes congressional candidates get when they first run for reelection
Clothespin vote
The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for the less objectionable of the two, putting a clothespin over his or her nose to keep out the unpleasant stench
Position issue
An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different party positions
Valence issue
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
General election
An election held to choose which candidate will hold office
Primary election
An election held to choose candidates for office
Closed primary
A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members
Open primary
A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place
Blanket primary
A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates for both parties
Runoff primary
A second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary
Independent expenditures
Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions to help a party or candidate but done independently of them
