Political Parties, Elections, and Voting Systems

Vocabulary flashcards covering the history, structure, and functions of American political parties, election types and cycles, Florida voting requirements, and comparative party systems.

Political Party

A group of people who share similar beliefs about how the government should work; they help people choose candidates and influence government decisions, though they are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.

Federalists

An early American political party led by Alexander Hamilton that supported a strong national government and a powerful economy.

Democratic-Republicans

An early American political party led by Thomas Jefferson that supported stronger state governments and more power for the people.

Democratic Party

A major political party formed in 1828 with Andrew Jackson as an important leader; it generally supports an active government role in the economy, more government programs and regulations, and government action to address social and economic issues.

Republican Party

A major political party formed in 1854 with Abraham Lincoln as a member; it generally supports less government regulation of businesses, lower taxes, and a smaller government role in the economy.

Third Parties

Smaller political parties outside the two major parties that introduce new ideas, give voters more choices, and bring attention to issues, but face difficulty winning elections due to having less money and support.

Functions of Political Parties

The five core roles: choose and support candidates for elections, inform citizens about important issues, create party platforms, help organize government, and encourage people to participate in elections.

Party Platform

A statement explaining a political party's beliefs and goals that tells voters what the party plans to do if it wins.

National Convention

A meeting where political parties choose their presidential candidates and delegates represent their states to vote.

Campaigns

Efforts where candidates try to convince people to vote for them using speeches, advertisements, debates, and social media.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Organizations that raise and spend money to support political candidates or causes.

The 50 State Committees

Party organizations that help organize party activities in their states, support candidates, and organize local campaigns.

Primary Election

An election in which voters choose which candidate will represent their political party.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered members of a political party can vote in that party's primary.

Open Primary

A primary election where voters can choose which party's primary to participate in, subject to state rules.

General Election

An election where voters choose who will hold public office.

Runoff Election

An additional election held between top candidates when nobody gets the required majority.

Presidential Election

Elections that happen every 4 years to choose the president.

Midterm Elections

Elections that take place halfway through a president's term (every 2 years).

Voting Requirements in Florida

Rules requiring that voters must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, registered before deadlines, and voting by mail or in person according to election rules.

Ballot

The form used to vote.

Candidate

A person running for office.

Delegate

A person chosen to represent a group or state at a convention.

Grassroots Movement

A political movement that begins with ordinary people.

One-Party System

A political system where one political party controls the government with limited political competition, such as in China.

Multiparty System

A political system where several parties compete for power and voters have more political choices, such as in France.