Campaigns and Elections

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and processes related to campaigns and elections as outlined in the lecture notes.

What are the three branches of government involved in elections?

Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, Judicial Branch.

What is the role of the Secretary of State in state elections?

The Secretary of State oversees state elections and maintains election-related records.

What is a General Election?

An election between candidates to fill a public office.

What differentiates a Primary Election from a General Election?

A Primary Election narrows candidates down to one per party to run in the General Election.

What is a Closed Primary?

A primary where voters must declare party affiliation before voting.

What is an Open Primary?

A primary where voters do not declare a party affiliation before voting but can only choose candidates from one party.

How many Electoral Votes does a candidate need to win the presidency?

A candidate needs a majority of 270 Electoral Votes to win.

What is the function of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

The FEC keeps records on all campaign contributions and spending over $100.

What is the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act?

A law that bans unlimited soft-money donations to national political parties and establishes reporting procedures for electronic contributions.

What is a Straw Poll?

An unscientific method of measuring public opinion often conducted by newspapers or media outlets.

What was the significance of the 12th Amendment in elections?

It required electors to cast separate votes for President and Vice President, pairing them on the ballot.

What did the 17th Amendment change about Senate elections?

It allowed regular voters to directly elect their Senators, replacing the previous system of state legislature election.

What is a candidate’s campaign manager responsible for?

The campaign manager plans and executes the overall campaign strategy.

What are Absentee Ballots?

Votes cast by individuals who are unable to attend their polling station.

What does Measuring Public Opinion involve?

It involves assessing voter sentiment through methods such as polls, surveys, and direct communication.

What is the importance of the Electoral College in presidential elections?

The Electoral College formally elects the President and Vice President based on state-level voting outcomes.