Campaigns and Elections Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to campaigns and elections.

Plurality

Winner takes all; the most votes, not necessarily a majority.

22nd Amendment

Limited the president to two full terms or a maximum of 10 years.

Presidential coattails

Impact on who wins elections is erratic and modest, with no clear pattern.

FEC (Federal Election Commission)

Governs all money that comes into a campaign and all money spent on the campaign.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates.

Primary

An election to select party candidates.

Bury the hatchet

To make peace or reconcile after a disagreement, for political expediency.

Balance the ticket

Selecting a running mate to appeal to a different constituency.

General election

A regular election of candidates for office, as opposed to a primary election.

McCain-Feingold Act

Campaign finance reform legislation.

Hard money

Campaign contributions that are subject to legal limits and restrictions.

Soft money

Money raised by political parties for general purposes, not subject to the same restrictions as hard money.

501c

A tax-exempt non-profit organization.