Class 3u3 htx govt

Big tent organization

A political party that seeks to attract a wide range of supporters with diverse views.

Minimum winning coalition

The smallest group of individuals or groups that can secure a victory in an election.

Political party

A group of people who share common goals and attempt to control government by winning elections.

Majority elections

Elections in which a candidate must receive more than 50% of the votes to win.

Plurality elections

Elections where the candidate with the most votes wins, even if they do not receive a majority.

Factions

Division groups within a political party.

Ideological parties

Political parties that are driven primarily by a specific ideology or set of ideas.

Coalitional parties

Political parties that form alliances to increase their chances of winning elections.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Duverger's Law

The principle that single-member districts and plurality voting favor a two-party system.

Electorate

The body of people allowed to vote in an election.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries.

Trifecta

A situation in which one political party controls the executive branch and both legislative chambers.

Divided government

A scenario where different political parties control different branches of government.

Identity politics

Political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups.

Political polarization

The increasing ideological distance and division between political parties.

Party in the electorate

The role of political parties in representing voters and guiding electoral choices.

Legislative leadership

The leaders in government who organize and influence legislative processes.

State of the State address

An annual speech delivered by the governor outlining the state's priorities.

Executive order

A directive issued by the president or governor that has the force of law.

Emergency legislation

Laws proposed or enacted quickly in response to urgent situations.

Majority party

The political party that holds the most seats in a legislative body.

Vote roll-off

The phenomenon where voters select candidates for higher positions but skip lower ones.

Policy influence

The ability of political parties to shape and direct governmental policy.

Campaign promises

The commitments made by candidates to garner support from voters.

Grassroots movements

Initiatives driven by community members to promote political change.

Third parties

Political parties other than the two major parties (Republican and Democrat) in the U.S.

Voter registration

The process by which eligible citizens sign up to be able to vote in elections.

Candidate rhetoric

The language and arguments used by candidates to persuade voters.

Voting behavior

The patterns and reasons behind how individuals choose to vote.

Electoral district

A specific geographic area where voters reside and from which they elect representatives.