Quiz Topics Flashcards
(23 cards)
political party
Organization made of citizens who have similar ideas on public issues and work together and create government action.
watchdog
Party that is not in office
history of two-party system in the United States
The U.S. two-party system began with Federalists and Democratic-Republicans, later evolving into today’s Democrats and Republicans. Since the mid-1800s, these two parties have dominated due to the winner-take-all election system.
What does a two-party system mean?
A two-party system is a political party system in which two major political parties consistently dominate the political landscape.
political spectrum - what do liberal, moderate, and conservative mean?
Liberal - believing the government should be active in social and political change
Moderate: an ideological category which entails centrist views on a liberal-conservative spectrum.
Conservative - believing in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society.
What is the purpose of third parties in the United States?
Not major parties but they give voters more options
Focus more on specific issues, not central issues to get more votes
Not likely to win elections but occasionally may
What are primary elections? (Open and Closed)
Open: party membership not required to vote
Closed: only registered party members may vote
What is the national convention?
Where the candidate of each party is announced. The chosen candidate chooses a running mate for VP.
What is the general election?
A person voting for a Republican/Democratic candidate votes for a Republican/Democrat elector or delegate to represent his or her state in the electoral college
What are caucuses?
citizens meet at a public gathering and openly vote for their preferred candidate
What is the popular vote?
tally of all the votes cast
What is the electoral college?
The group where electors represent their state.
What is the campaign propaganda?
A deliberate attempt to sway public opinion such as creating a slogan.
What is an absent tee ballot?
A ballot cast by a voter pre-election via mail or other ways if they must be absent.
What is bipartisan?
The agreement or cooperation of two political parties that usually oppose each others policies.
What is voter apathy?
A lack of interest or apathy towards politics.
What are precincts?
An electoral district of a city or town served by a single polling place.
What is a polling place?
A building where voting takes place during an election.
What is a straight ticket?
A straight ticket allows voters to choose a party’s entire slate of candidates with just a single ballot mark.
What is a split ticket?
When a voter in an election votes for candidates from different political parties when multiple offices are being decided by a single election.
What is partisan?
A strong supporter of a party.
What is non-partisan?
Not biased or partisan especially towards any particular political group.
What is incumbent?
The current holder of an office or position.
