AP GOV chapter 11

critical elections

an election that signals a party realignment through voter polarization around new issues and personalities.

delegate

Role played by representative who votes the way his or her constituents would want, regardless of personal opinions; may refer to an elected representative to Congress or a representative to the party convention.

national convention

A party meeting held in the presidential election year for the purposes of nominating a presidential and vice presidential ticket and adopting a platform.

national party platform

A statement of the general and specific philosophy and policy goals of a political party, usualy promulgated at the national convention.

party realignment

Dramatic shifts in partisan preferences that drastically alter the political landscape.

superdelegate

unelected delegate who is free to support any candidate for the presidential nomination at the party’s national convention.