US Political Parties and the Electoral Process

Vocabulary based flashcards covering the functions of political parties, the electoral process, and campaign budgeting as discussed in the Week 7-8 Social Studies curriculum.

Political Partiy Functions (General)

Central functions that make the political system run more smoothly, including a drive toward gaining voter support and recruiting top-tier candidates rather than obtaining dues-paying members.

Recruiting candidates

The first of the five main functions of political parties, involving finding individuals to run for public office.

Organized opposition

The role played by the party not in power to act as a check on the party leading the government.

Nomination

The process of officially sponsoring individuals for elected office who share specific political beliefs.

Organization (Party Function)

The act of organizing political campaigns to win public office for individuals who have been nominated.

Policy choices

Providing clear choices to voters via individuals nominated for office who represent differing viewpoints.

Coordination

The process of coordinating among members elected to office to develop public policy following specific principles.

Watchdog

A role of political parties to alert the public of any wrongdoing within the government.

Linking Different Levels

The function of political parties that provides a link between local, state, and federal government.

Electoral Process Lifecycle

A process consisting of four steps: maintenance of the electoral register, public political campaigning, the voting process, and the delivery of results.

Mayor

The person who leads a town.

Governor

The person who leads a state.

President

The person who leads a country.

Congress

A part of the government described as members of a country's legislative body.

Campaign

An organized course of action towards a goal.

Candidate

Someone who seeks to or is nominated for an office position.

Citizen

A native or inhabitant of a country who can exercise legal rights.

Debate

A regulated discussion between people with different beliefs.

Democracy

A government elected by the people.

Electoral College

A group of people that cast their vote for presidential candidates and other political issues.

Exit Poll

A survey taken from a sample of voters when they leave a polling place.

General Elections

A regular election involving all or most voters from a state or the country.

Landslide

An overwhelming majority of votes for a candidate, party, or issue.

Nominee

A person nominated to an office for candidacy.

Party

A collection of ideas, people, and influences represented by a core group.

Platform

The representation of views people have on certain issues.

Primary

A meeting of registered voters of a political party to nominate candidates and discuss issues.

Obama Campaign Advertising Spend ($2008$)

The campaign paid Massive Incorporated a total of $44,465.78$ for online advertising alone.

Persuasive spends

All spending focused on voter persuasion or communication, including rallies, billboards, and door-to-door canvassing.

Non-persuasive spends

Campaign overheads that do not directly involve voter persuasion, such as paying for a campaign headquarters (HQ).