AP Government Unit 5 Vocab Terms

Absentee ballot

Voting method for citizens unable to vote in person.

Australian Ballot

Secret ballot to reduce voter intimidation.

Caucus

Local meeting where party members select candidates/delegates.

Closed primary

Voting limited to registered party members.

Coalition

Alliance of groups supporting a candidate or party.

Dealignment

Weakening of party loyalty among voters.

Democratic National Committee (DNC)

Party organization coordinating Democratic activities.

Direct lobbying

Attempt to influence legislation directly with policymakers.

Electorate

All eligible voters.

Fairness Doctrine

FCC rule requiring balanced coverage of controversial issues (repealed 1980s).

Franchise

The right to vote.

Grand Old Party (GOP)

Nickname for the Republican Party.

Grassroots lobbying

Mobilizing the public to influence policymakers.

Hard money

Direct contributions to a candidate, regulated by law.

Horse race journalism

Focus on polling/popularity rather than policy.

Incumbent

Current officeholder running for reelection.

Iowa Caucuses

Early nominating event, first test of candidate support.

Literacy test

Discriminatory voting requirement (historical).

Lobbyist

Person advocating for policy on behalf of interest groups.

Minor parties

Third parties outside the two main parties.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists exposing corruption and societal issues.

Open primary

Voters of any party can vote in any party's primary.

Party chairperson

Leader of a party's organizational operations.

Party convention

Meeting to nominate candidates and approve platforms.

Platform

Statement of party principles and policy goals.

Pluralism

Political theory emphasizing multiple groups influencing government.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Groups that raise money to support candidates/issues.

Political efficacy

Belief that one's vote matters and can influence politics.

Poll tax

Historical fee to vote, suppressed minority participation.

Polling place

Location where voters cast ballots.

Precinct

Local voting district.

Preclearance

DOJ approval for changes to voting laws in certain states (Voting Rights Act).

Public interest group

Group promoting issues benefiting the general public.

Rank and file

Ordinary party members.

Realignments

Shifts in party support among the electorate.

Recall

Procedure to remove an elected official before term ends.

Referendum

Voters directly approve or reject legislation.

Republican National Committee (RNC)

Party organization coordinating Republican activities.

Shield laws

Protect journalists from revealing sources.

Single-issue parties

Parties focused on one policy goal.

Single-member districts

One representative per geographic district.

Soft money

Donations to parties/interest groups, not directly to candidates.

Splinter / bolter parties

Third parties breaking from a major party.

Split ticket / Ticket splitting

Voting for candidates of different parties in one election.

Super PAC

Unlimited independent spending, cannot coordinate with candidate.

Super Tuesday

Major day with multiple state primaries/caucuses.

Superdelegates

Party leaders who can vote at convention independent of primaries.

Two-party system

Political system dominated by two major parties.

Voter apathy

Lack of interest in voting/politics.

Voting blocs

Groups of voters sharing common interests or demographics.

White primary

Historical practice excluding minorities from primaries.

Yellow journalism

Sensationalized, biased reporting to attract readers/viewers.