Voter Registration and Elections

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to voter registration and elections.

Voter registration

A system designed to reduce voter fraud by limiting voting to those who have established eligibility to vote by submitting the proper documents.

Linkage Institutions

A structure within a society that connects individuals to the government or a centralized authority, including elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

General election

Elections in which voters elect officials to office.

Primary election

Elections in which voters determine party nominees.

Closed Primary

A type of election where you must be a registered member of a major party to participate.

Midterm election

Elections held midway between presidential elections.

Candidate appeal

How voters perceive a candidate's background, personality, leadership abilities, and other personal qualities.

Prospective issue voting

Voting based on what a candidate pledges to do in the future about an issue if elected.

Retrospective issue voting

Holding incumbents, typically the president's party, accountable for their records on issues such as the economy or foreign policy.

Policy Voting

Voting for a candidate based on the political agenda a politician has.

Lame duck

A politician who cannot, or has announced they will not, run again.

Winner-take-all system

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins the election.

Majority

Receiving more than half of the votes cast.

Plurality

Receiving the largest number of votes, which can be less than half.

Proportional representation

An election system where each party receives a proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its share of the vote.

Electoral College

An electoral system used in electing the president and vice president, where voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for a particular party's candidates.

Coattail effect

The boost that candidates may receive in an election due to the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot.

Caucus

A meeting of local party members to select party officials or candidates for public office and to determine the party's platform.

National Party Convention

A national meeting of delegates who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president and ratify the party platform.

Interested money

Financial contributions made by individuals or groups to influence the election outcome and shape policy.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

A commission created to administer election reform laws, consisting of six commissioners appointed by the president.

Soft money

Contributions to a state or local party for purposes of party building.

Hard money

Donations made to political candidates, party committees, or groups that are limited by law and must be declared.

Issue advocacy

Promoting a position or issue paid for by interest groups or individuals but not by candidates.

Party Realignment

The displacement of the majority party, typically during a critical election period.

Party Dealignment

Gradual decline of people and politicians from political parties.

Political Efficacy

One's belief that political participation is important.