Gov Exam 3

Political Party

Organization that seeks to win elections and control government policy.

Party Platform

Official statement of a party's beliefs, goals, and issue positions.

Plank

An individual issue or policy position in a party platform.

Partisanship

Strong support for a political party.

Party Identification

When a voter feels loyalty or attachment to a party.

Polarization

Growing ideological division between political parties.

Realignment

Major long-term shift in voter support from one party to another.

Dealignment

Decline in party loyalty; more voters become independents.

Third Party

Political party outside Democrats and Republicans.

Duverger's Law

Theory that winner-take-all elections create a two-party system.

Single-Member District

An electoral district represented by one officeholder.

Proportional Representation

Seats awarded based on percentage of votes received.

General Election

Final election where party nominees compete for office.

Primary Election

Election used to choose a party's candidate.

Open Primary

Voters may choose either party's primary.

Closed Primary

Only registered party members may vote in that party's primary.

Runoff Primary

Second election if no candidate gets majority vote.

Plurality

Winning with the most votes, not necessarily over 50%.

Majority

More than half of the votes cast.

Special Election

Election held to fill vacancies or vote on special issues.

Franchise / Suffrage

The right to vote.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote.

Heuristic

Mental shortcut voters use to make decisions (like party label).

Independent Voter

Voter not formally attached to a political party.

Partisan Leaner

Independent who usually votes for one party.

Expressive Vote

Vote used to express beliefs or protest, not necessarily to win.

Referendum

Law or amendment placed on ballot for voter approval.

Initiative

Citizen-proposed law or amendment placed on ballot.

Proposition

Ballot measure voted on directly by citizens.

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws/policies.

Representative Democracy

Citizens elect officials to govern for them.

Republic

Government where people rule through elected representatives.

Free and Fair Elections

Elections where voters can choose honestly without coercion.

Election Integrity

Confidence that elections are lawful, secure, and accurate.

Reapportionment

Redistributing legislative seats after census population changes.

Vote Dilution

Weakening voting strength of a racial or political group.

Soft Money

Money given to parties for broad political activities, not directly to candidates.

Grassroots Campaign

Campaign strategy focused on local volunteers and voter contact.

Campaign Trail

Public appearances/events candidates make while campaigning.

Microtargeting

Using data to send tailored campaign messages to voters.

Mobilization

Encouraging supporters to actually vote.

Party Organization

The structure of political parties at local, state, and national levels.

Party & Demographics

How age, race, gender, education, religion, and class relate to party support.

Tea Party Republicans

Conservative movement within the Republican Party favoring smaller government and lower taxes.

Opinions

Views people hold about political issues or government actions.

Values

Core beliefs or principles that shape opinions.

Beliefs

Ideas accepted as true about politics, society, or government.

Economic Ideology

Beliefs about government's role in the economy.

Social Ideology

Beliefs about government's role in moral/social issues.

Registration

Official process of signing up to vote.

Free Press

Media able to publish without government censorship.

Informed Electorate

Citizens with enough knowledge to vote responsibly.

Mainstream / Legacy Media

Traditional news outlets like newspapers, TV, and radio.

Social Media

Digital platforms used for communication and political information.

Narrative

A recurring storyline or interpretive frame used by media.

Censorship

Suppression or restriction of speech or publication.

Misinformation

False information shared without intent to deceive.

Disinformation

False information intentionally spread to mislead.