Chapter 9: Political Parties

Political 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