Elections & Campaigns (gov unit 3)

Propaganda

Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

incumbent

The current holder of the elected office, running for reelection.

Opposition research

Research that attempts to discover damaging information about a political opponent in a campaign.

silver bullet

A piece of information that can sink a campaign.

political action committee

committee formed by a special-interest group to raise money for their favorite political candidates.

super PACs

PACs not directly affiliated with a political candidate that can raise unlimited funds with little disclosure.

voting rights act

1965 - Got the Federal government involved to stop discriminatory voting practices in certain states.

electoral college

The group of 538 representatives that actually elect our president.

Slogan

catch phrase.

Glittering Generality

Vague, positive phases - "For a brighter future", "HOPE", etc.

Labeling

name-calling

Card Stacking

Giving only one side of the facts.

Transfer

Associating a patriotic symbol with a candidate.

Plain Folks

The candidate is trying to appear more like one of the common people

Testimonial

Celebrity endorsement

The Bandwagon

"Millions support me - so should you!"

Logical Fallacy

False cause/effect.

straight-ticket voter

someone who votes for the same party all the way down the ballot.

split-ticket voter

someone who votes for more than one party

the 26th amendment

Granted the right to vote to those 18 years or older.

Swing State

A state that has equal levels of support for Democrats and Republicans and could go either way.

redistricting

re-drawing the boundaries for congressional districts in a state.