GOV: ch 10,12 Elections And The Media Flashcards
(39 cards)
Blanket primary
A system used for selecting political party candidates in a primary election
Voters may pick one candidate for each office without regard to part lines
Single member districts
The system most commonly used for legislative elections in the US
-all candidates appear on the ballot and the voters indicate their choice of one of them, all of the votes are then counted and the winner is the one with the most votes, winners need not a majority, only more than their opponents
Coattail effect
When a person running tends to win because of a high person incumbent that holds their same party
Redistricting
Process of drawing electoral district boundaries
Direct election
System of choosing political office holders in which the voters directly cast ballots for the person, persons, or political party that they desire to see elected
Direct primary
An election that narrows the field of candidates before an election for office
-means by which a political party or a political alliance nominates candidates for an upcoming general election or by election
Gerrymandering
To manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency so as to favor one party or class
Front loading
The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention
Soft money
Political contributions earmarked for party building expenses at the grassroots level or for generic party advertising
Open primary
A primary election in which any registered voter can vote in any party’s primary
Issue ads
Communications intended to bring a problem to light
Plurality
The number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority
Closed primary
Is a type of primary election used to choose candidates who will run in the general election
Safe seat
A seat in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secured either by a political party, or the incumbent
Incumbency advantage
Being an incumbent brings advantages in you already have campaign money, supporters, favors, etc see ch 10/12 cards for full definition
Caucus
A meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement
Super delegate
Is a delegate to the democratic national convention or republican NC that is seated automatically based on their states as a current party par taker or former party leader or elected official
Super Tuesday
The Tuesday in February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party’s presidential candidates are officially nominated
General election
An election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen usually refers to elections held for a nations primary legislative body
Swing state
a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that states electoral college votes
Fairness doctrine
Required holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues or public importance in a manner that is honest, equitable, and balanced
Midterm election
A type of election where the people can elect their representatives in the middle of the term of the executive or of another set of members
Horse race journalism
Political journalism of elections that resembles coverage of horse races because of the focus on polling data, public perception instead of candidate policy, and almost exclusive reporting on candidate differences rather than similarities
Nonpartisan elections
Doesn’t permit party labels to appear on the ballot