AP GOV Unit V List II

Third party

A political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system

Single member plurality system

A system in which an entire country or political subdivision is divided into electoral districts, each of which elects only one representative.

Proportional representation system

A form of representation in which seats in the legislature are allocated proportionally according to each political party's share of the popular vote. This system enables smaller parties to compete successfully for seats.

Two party system

a system of government in which two parties compete for power

Candidate-centered campaign

A campaign in which the individual seeking election, rather than an entire party slate, is the focus.

National convention

A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

Closed primary

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

Open primary

Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.

Primary election

An election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election

Delegate

Elected officials view themselves only as a mirror of their constituents. To the extent that it is possible, their behavior will reflect the wishes of the people in the district, even if it goes against the conscience of the elected official

Divided government

Governance divided between the parties, especially when one holds the presidency and the other controls one or both houses of Congress.

Critical election

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty.

Realignment

A process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape.

Coalition

a group of individuals with a common interest on which every political party depends

Split ticket voting

Casting votes for candidates of one's own party and for candidates of opposing parties, e.g., voting for a Republican presidential candidate and a Democratic congressional candidate.

Recruitment

the process through which the organization seeks applicants for potential employment

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 candidate's strength. It is the best formal statement of a party's beliefs.