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Party Platform
A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years. The platform is drafted prior to the party convention by a committee whose members are chosen in rough proportion to each candidates' strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs
Primary Elections
Citizens have the power to choose nominees for office
Political Party
A team of people seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in a duly constituted election
Political/Party Machines
A type of political party organization that relies heavily on material inducements, such as patronage, to win votes and to govern
National Convention
The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party's platform
Critical Election
An electoral "earthquake" where new issues emerge, new coalitions replace old ones, and the majority party is often displaced by the minority party
Electoral Realignment
The displacement of the majority party by the minority party, usually during a critical election period
Electoral De-alignment
The gradual disengagement of people from the parties, as seen in part by shrinking party identification
Independents
A voter who prefers not to identify with any party
Majority Representation
A system of selecting policymakers and organizing government so that policy represents the public's preferences; Majority rule
Partisan
An adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance; Strong supporter of a party
Proportional Representation
An electoral system used throughout most of Europe that awards legislative seats to political parties in proportion to the number of votes won in an election
Party Identification
A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for one party or the other
National Committee
One of the institutions that keeps the party operating between conventions. The national committee is composed of representatives from the states and territories
Party Conference
The highest decision-making body of the organization (party), tasked with electing or nominating the party's leaders or leadership bodies, deciding party policy, and setting the party's platform and agendas
Congressional Campaign Committee
A party committee in congress that provides funds to members and would-be members
Republican Party
One of the two main political parties in the United States; founded in 1854; Conservative ideology - Limited central government and strong national defense
Democratic Party
One of the two main political parties in the United States; founded in 1828; Liberal ideology - strong central government and expansive social programs
Responsible Party Government
A political party as it exists with government officials that identify themselves as members of the party
Split Ticket Voting
Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election
Single Member Districts
An electoral district represented by a single officeholder
Two-Party System
A political system in which the electorate gives its votes largely to only two major parties and in which one or the other party can win a majority in legislature
