AP United States Government and Politics - Chapter 9 Key Terms

These flashcards encapsulate important vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 9 of AP United States Government and Politics, aiding in exam preparation.

501(c) groups

Groups that are exempt from reporting contributions and can receive unlimited contributions.

Direct mail

A method of raising money by sending information and requests for money to supporters of similar views.

Policy voting

Electoral choices made based on voters’ policy preferences and candidates’ stances.

Presidential primaries

Elections where voters express their preference for a party’s nominee for president.

Super PACs

Independent-expenditure-only PACs that may accept unlimited donations and support specific candidates.

Electoral college

A system for selecting the president by electors chosen by state parties, often not reflecting the popular vote.

National party convention

The supreme power in parties that meets every four years to nominate presidential candidates and write the party platform.

Political action committees (PACs)

Groups that raise and distribute money to candidates; must register with the FEC.

Invisible primary

The period before votes are cast where candidates compete for early support from party elites.

Campaign strategy

The master plan laid out by candidates to guide electoral campaigns.

Civic duty

The belief that citizens should vote to support a democratic system.

Federal Election Campaign Act

A 1974 law reforming campaign finances and creating the Federal Election Commission.

Independent expenditures

Expenses made by groups not coordinated with any candidate’s campaign in support of a political message.

Caucus

A system for selecting delegates where voters attend open meetings to express presidential preferences.

Nomination

The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party.

Voter registration

A system requiring voters to register prior to voting, with varying state deadlines.

527 groups

Independent political groups that do not directly seek the election of candidates, not subject to contribution restrictions.

Motor Voter Act

A 1993 act allowing voter registration when applying for a driver's license.

Mandate theory of elections

The idea that winning candidates have a mandate from the people to implement their platforms.

Federal Election Commission

A bipartisan agency created by the 1974 Act to administer and enforce campaign finance laws.

McGovern-Fraser Commission

A commission for reforming delegate selection in response to minority group demands.

Campaign contributions

Donations made to candidates or parties that must be reported to the FEC.

Political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation matters and can make a difference.

Citizens United

A landmark Supreme Court case ruling that allowed unlimited donations to independent political groups.

Battleground states

Key states that presidential campaigns focus on because they are likely to decide the Electoral College outcome.

Superdelegates

National party leaders who automatically receive delegate slots at the Democratic national convention.

Party platform

A party's statement of goals and policies drafted before the party convention.

Soft money

Political contributions earmarked for party-building expenses, previously unlimited until banned by the McCain-Feingold Act.

Frontloading

The tendency of states to hold early primaries to gain media attention.

Selective perception

The phenomenon where people's beliefs influence their attention and interpretation of events.

Retrospective voting

A theory where voters assess if the incumbent has produced good results, especially on the economy.

Prospective voting

A theory where voters consider which candidate will produce the best future results, particularly on the economy.