Unit 5: Ch. 14 Elections, Ch. 16 Media | Quizlet

Australian ballot

a government-printed ballot of uniform dimensions to be cast in secret that many states adopted around 1890 to reduce voting fraud associated with party-printed ballots cast in public

blanket primary

a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties

Caucuses

meetings where political parties chose their candidates

closed primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

coattail effect

the influence of a popular presidential candidate on the election of congressional candidates of the same party

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

front-loading

The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

incumbent

An officeholder who is seeking reelection.

midterm election

Elections held midway between presidential elections.

open primary

A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place

primary election

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

winner-take-all system

An electoral system in which legislative seats are awarded only to the candidates who come in first in their constituencies.

bandwagon effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

consumer-driven media

media whose content is influenced by the actions and needs of consumers

editorials

a newspaper article that gives an opinion on a topical issue.

Fairness Doctrine (1949-1987)

required the holders of broadcast licenses both to present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was—in the Commission's view—honest, equitable, and balanced.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

The government agency charged with regulating the electronic media

FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)

requires federal agencies to release files to the public, unless the material falls into certain exceptions for national security or other confidential information

Gatekeeper

individuals or organizations that determine what is newsworthy and therefore decide what information the public will receive

editorial board

a group of veteran journalist who guide the editorial philosophy of the organization, act as gatekeepers

horse race journalism

Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues.

watchdog

The role played by the national media in investigating political personalities and exposing scandals.

incumbency advantage

The electoral advantage a candidate enjoys by virtue of being an incumbent, over and above his or her other personal and political characteristics

agenda setting

the power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems