Political Party Test

Centrist

A person whose views are moderate, combining liberal and conservative viewpoints.

Conservative

Belief in limited government, free markets, and traditional social values.

Democratic Party

Generally associated with liberal and moderate-liberal ideologies.

Independent

A voter who does not support any particular political party.

Liberal

Belief that government should promote health, education, and justice, even if that means limiting economic freedom.

Moderate

A person with beliefs that include both liberal and conservative viewpoints, especially on social and economic issues.

Party Identification

A voter’s psychological attachment or loyalty to a political party.

Platform

A statement of a party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on important issues.

Polarize

To divide into opposing groups, often politically.

Republican Party

Generally associated with conservative and moderate-conservative ideologies.

Both Major Parties

Support capitalism, Constitution, private property, and individual achievement.

GOP

Nickname for Republican Party; stands for "Grand Old Party"; color: red, symbol: elephant.

Democratic Symbols

Color: blue, symbol: donkey.

Republican Beliefs

Lower taxes, fewer regulations, strong military, oppose high taxes on wealthy, support free-market energy.

Democratic Beliefs

Support unions, same-sex marriage, UN, ban discrimination, oppose privatizing Medicare and global conflicts.

Green Party

More liberal than Democrats; environmental focus; supports nonviolence and universal health care.

Libertarian Party

Minimal government; full individual liberty; free-market economy; military only for self-defense.

Constitution Party

Very conservative; abolish federal taxes; dismantle agencies; limit immigration; make English official.

Republican Demographics

More white, male, religious; strong in South, rural and Mountain West areas.

Democratic Demographics

More women, minorities, younger voters; strong in urban areas and the Northeast.

Political Polarization

Increasing division between parties; fewer moderates; more strict party-line voting.

Canvass

To solicit votes and gather public opinion.

Caucus

A private meeting of party leaders or members to choose candidates for office.

Closed Primary

An election where only registered party members can vote.

Direct Primary

An election where party members choose candidates for the general election.

Open Primary

An election where all voters can participate, but only in one party's primary.

Petition

A formal appeal to get a candidate on the ballot; requires voter signatures.

Plurality

The largest number of votes in an election, not necessarily a majority.

Ticket

A party’s candidates for president and vice president.

Local Party Level

Chooses candidates, shares party info, mobilizes voters at the community level.

State Party Level

Supports election of state-level candidates and enforces party strategy.

National Party Level

Raises money, coordinates campaigns, promotes national and state cooperation.

Party Membership

May include registering, donating, or volunteering; no formal obligations beyond voting.

Primary Elections

State-run elections to select party nominees for general elections.

Caucuses

Party meetings to discuss and vote for candidates; used in some states like Iowa.

Nominating Conventions

Large national meetings where parties select presidential and VP nominees.

Binding Primaries

Delegates must support the primary winner at the convention.

Non-Binding Primaries

Delegates are not required to vote based on primary results.

Proportional Representation

System used by Democrats where delegates are awarded based on percentage of votes.

Winner-Take-All

System used by Republicans where the top vote-getter wins all delegates.

Convention Committees

Rules, Credentials, Permanent Organization, and Platform & Resolutions.

Keynote Speech

Major speech at a convention to unite the party and set campaign tone.

Balanced Ticket

VP nominee complements the presidential nominee in background or ideology.

Acceptance Speech

Given by the nominees to launch the campaign and unify the party.