Gvt

Caucus

A meeting between a party member who select a candidate or decide policys.

Coattails

If a big canditate from one party wins a big election like prez they influnce other members in the party to win a position such as governr or congress.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

PACs are often formed by businesses, labor unions, or interest groups to pool contributions from members and use them to influence elections.

Surge and decline

The pattern where voter turnout and support for the president's party increase during presidential elections (surge) and decrease in midterms (decline).

Gerrymandering

Drawing legislative district boundaries to favor one party or group.

Sophomore surge

when a new member of Congress runs for re-election they get higher votes as they have already been elected and people know if they like em

Position issues

Political issues where rival candidates take different sides and policy stances.

Valence issue

political topic that almost everyone agrees on, like wanting a strong economy, low crime, or honest government

Primary election

general term for the process where political parties choose their candidates for the general election

527 organizations

These groups are created mainly to influence elections by supporting or opposing candidates, but they cannot directly coordinate with political campaigns

501(c)(3)

Nonprofit organizations (like charities) that are tax-exempt and prohibited from political campaign activity.

Super PAC

Independent political committees that can raise and spend unlimited money to advocate for or against candidates but cannot donate directly to campaigns.

501(c)(4)

"Social welfare" organizations that can engage in limited political activity without disclosing donors.

Independent expenditure

Political spending by individuals or groups that is not coordinated with a candidate's campaign. Ex spend for Ads against other candidate

Soft money

Contributions to political parties for "party-building" activities, not directly to candidates, and not subject to federal limits.