Advanced American Government- Chapter 6 & 7 Quiz Vocabulary

Polarization

The presence of increasingly conflicting and divided viewpoints between the Democratic and Republican Parties

Sample Error

The natural difference between a sample's characteristics (like poll results) and the entire population's true characteristics

Gender Gap

A distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in views between women and men

Partesian

A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person

Exit Poll

A poll of people leaving a polling place, asking how they voted

Bandwagon Effect

When people support a political candidate or policy simply because it seems popular or is "winning," hoping to join the majority or avoid being left out, even if it's not their original preference

Random Sampling

A selection method where every member of a larger population (like citizens, documents, or records) has an equal chance of being chosen for review, ensuring the small group (sample) is an unbiased, representative snapshot to draw accurate conclusions about the whole

Leading Questions

A type of question posed to a witness that subtly or overtly suggests the desired answer

Battleground/Purple States

Any state in which the Democratic and Republican candidates both have a good chance of winning in a statewide election

Chapter 7 Terms

Chapter 7 Terms

Ballot Initiative

Where citizens may propose and vote on a new law

Referendum

Where citizens may vote to uphold or appeal a law passed by their legislature

Open Primary

A primary where voters do not need to be a member of a political party to vote

Closed Primary

A primary where voters must either declare a political party or be a member of a political party to vote in that party's election

Frontrunners

States who are the earliest to hold their primaries and/or caucuses

Suffrage

The right to vote

Poll Tax

A tax that cities and/or states could put at voting outlets that voters had to pay

Political Efficacy

The belief that ordinary people can influence the government

Civic Duty

The belief that it is one's public duty to vote