GOPO Unit 3 Political Beliefs Vocab

32 words

Attentive Public

Those who follow politics and public affairs carefully

Balancing the Ticket

Occurs when a presidential nominee chooses a vice president running mate who has different qualities in order to attract more votes for the ticket

Blanket Primary

Election to choose candidates that is open to independent, and that allows voters to choose candidates from any parties.

Caucus

local party meeting

Closed Primary

Party election to choose candidates that is closed to independents . Voters may not cross party lines

Coattail Effect

the influence of a popular presidential candidate of the same party

Demographics

Characteristics of populations (race,sex,income)

Direct Election

election of an official party directly by the people rather than by a intermediary group such as the electoral college

Direct Primary

Election in which the people choose the candidates for office

Front Loading

Scheduling presidental primary elections early (February or March) in the election year to gain influence in the nomination process.

Gender Gap

Differences in voting preferences between men and women, often seen in elections.

General Election

Difference in which the office holders are chosen. Contrast with the primary election, in which only the candidates are chosen

Ideology

Set of beliefs about political values and the role of government

Incumbent

An officeholder seeking reelection

Independent

one is not registered with a political party

Independent leaners

Tend to vote for candidates of one particular party

Pure Independants

have not consistent voting pattern of a party voting

Open Primary

Election to choose candidates that is open to independents, and in which voters may choose candidates from anyone party

Party Identification

A sense of affiliation that a person had with one particular political party

Party Platform

A list of positions and programs that the party adopts at the national convention. Each position is called a plank

Political Culture

The widely shared beliefs, values and norms that citizens share about their government.

Plurality

more votes that anyone else but less than half (Clinton wins 43% popular votes but not a majority 1992)

Plurality Elections

Are won by person with the most votes regardless if he/she has majority (such as those in Congress)

Political Efficacy

Capacity to understand an influence political events

Political Socialization

Process of how one acquires his/her political beliefs

Realigning (critical) election

An election in which there is a long term change in party alignment

split ticket voting

casting votes for candidates of ones own party and for candidates of opposing parties

Straight Ticket Voting

Casting votes only for candidates of ones party

Suffrage

Right to vote

Super delegate

A delegate to the Democratic national convention who is there by virtue of holding an office

Super Tuesday

A Tuesday in early March in which man presidential primaries particularly in the South are held

Swing State

A state that does not consistently vote either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections