Untitled Flashcard Set

U.S. presidential race

A complex process influenced by the electoral system, party dynamics, and the role of incumbents.

Invisible primary

The stage for candidates set through public opinion polls and fundraising before voting begins.

Incumbent Advantage

Benefits that a sitting president has when running for re-election, including media coverage and donor networks.

Closed primaries

Primaries that restrict voting to registered party members only.

Open primaries

Primaries that allow any registered voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation.

Blanket primaries

Primaries that enable voters to select candidates from multiple parties on the same ballot.

Front-loading

A process where states schedule their primaries early to maximize influence on the nomination process.

Super Tuesday

A pivotal day when numerous states hold primaries, significantly narrowing the field of candidates.

Electoral College

A mechanism established to balance power between direct popular vote and congressional selection of the president.

Partisan affiliation

The formal alignment with a political party, influencing voter behavior and political preferences.

Linkage institutions

Entities that connect citizens to the government, ensuring representation and accountability.

Robocalls

Automated phone calls used by political parties to reach voters efficiently with pre-recorded messages.

Candidate recruitment

The process in which political parties seek individuals to run for office who can effectively represent party values.

Political party platform

A formal set of principles and policies supported by a political party.

Critical elections

Elections that fundamentally reshape the political landscape and mark significant transitions in party dominance.

Third parties

Political parties that form to represent specific issues or ideologies not sufficiently covered by dominant parties.

Winner-take-all elections

An electoral system where the candidate receiving the most votes wins all the delegates or representation.

Midterm elections

Elections that occur halfway through a president's term, often serving as a referendum on the incumbent's performance.

Candidate visibility

The extent to which candidates are known to and recognized by voters, which influences election outcomes.

Political mobilization

Efforts by political parties to encourage voter participation and turnout during elections.

FEC (Federal Election Commission)

An independent regulatory agency overseeing federal campaign finance laws.

Plurality voting

A voting system in which a candidate can win without achieving an absolute majority.

Party dealignment

A trend in which voters become less attached to a political party, often leading to increased independent voting.

Ideological parties

Political parties that advocate for specific comprehensive beliefs or ideologies.