Studied by 2 peoplePolitical party
A group that seeks to elect candidates into public office
Mugwumps or Progressives
Faction of the Republican party which was made up of reformers who opposed patronage
Critical or Realignment periods
A period when a major, lasting shift happens in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties
Primary elections
Election held to determine the nominee from a certain party
Closed primary
Primary election where only registered party members can vote for a nominee
Open primary
Primary election where all voters, regardless of party can vote
Super delegates
Party leaders and elected officials who are delegates in the national convention without having to run in primaries
Invisible primary
Process by which candidates try to attract the support of key party leaders before the election begins
National convention
Meeting of party delegates every 4 years
National committee
Delegates who run the party affairs between national conventions
Congressional campaign committee
Party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would-be members
National chair
The day-to-day party manager, who is elected by the national committee
Political machines
Party organization that recruits members by dispensing patronage
Partisan identification
The long term, stable attachment a voter has to a party
Partisanship
Another name for partisan identity
Two party system
Electoral system with two dominant parties
Plurality system
Electoral system where the winner gets the most votes even if they did not receive a majority
Dealignment
Weakening of partisan preferences that points to a rejection of both major parties and a rise in the number of independents
realigning election
An election during periods of expanded suffrage and change in the economy and society that proves to be a turning point, redefining the agenda of politics and the alignment of voters within parties
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