AP Government Unit 5

Anti-Federalists

Supported the Bill of Rights and a weak central government.

Blanket Primaries

Elections to select party nominees where voters can choose from candidates of all parties.

Blue Dog Democrats

Members of a congressional caucus from the South, more conservative than the liberal section, voting against big government spending.

Closed Primaries

Elections where only registered party members can vote for that party's candidates.

Coalition

A group of individuals with a common interest that political parties depend on.

Critical Election

Periods marked by national crises that introduce new issues and may displace the majority party.

Democratic Party et al. v Jones (2000)

Court ruled that blanket primaries violated parties' right to freedom of association.

Democratic-Republicans

Formerly Anti-Federalists, led by Thomas Jefferson, favored strong state governments.

Divided Government

When one party dominates the legislature and another dominates the executive branch.

Federalists

Political party that supported the ratification of the Constitution.

Majority System

Run-offs to ensure the lead candidate receives the majority of voter support.

National Chairperson

Person responsible for the daily operations of the party, usually selected by the presidential nominee.

National Committee

The institution that keeps the party functioning between conventions.

National Convention

Meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a presidential ticket and write the party’s platform.

New Deal Coalition

Coalition of Democrats from the 1930s to the 1960s including various demographic groups.

Nomination

A party's endorsement of a candidate.

Open Primaries

Elections where voters can choose to participate in any party's primary on Election Day.

Party Competition

The battle among parties for control of public offices.

Party Dealignment

Gradual disengagement of people and politicians from political parties.

Party Eras

Historical periods where a majority of voters align with the party in power.

Party Identification

A citizen's self-proclaimed preference for a political party.

Party Image

Voter perception of what a political party stands for, like conservatism or liberalism.

Party Machine

A political party organization relying on material inducements, such as patronage.

Party Realignment

Displacement of the majority party by the minority party during critical election periods.

Patronage

Jobs or contracts given for political reasons rather than merit.

Political Party

A team seeking to control the governing apparatus by gaining office in an election.

Primaries

Elections where voters choose candidates or delegates to a national party convention.

Proportional Representation System

Seats won are proportionate to votes received by a party.

Rational Choice Theory

Explains voter and politician actions as careful weighing of costs and benefits.

Republican Party

Emerged in response to slavery issues; Lincoln was their first elected president.

Responsible Party Model

Parties should provide clear choices and carry out campaign promises once in office.

Single-Member Districts

Each district votes for one representative in a legislative body.

Third Parties

Electoral contenders other than the two major parties.

Ticket Splitting

Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices.

Whigs

Political party representing the interests of the old Federalists.

Winner Take All System

Plurality system where a candidate must earn more votes than their opponent.

527s

Independent groups that influence political processes without contribution restrictions.

12th Amendment

Set up two ballots per elector for president and vice president.

15th Amendment

Guaranteed blacks the right to vote.

19th Amendment

Guaranteed women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Guaranteed voting rights for eighteen-year-olds.

Activation

Campaigns encouraging voters to contribute and volunteer.

American Plan Primary

Starts primaries in small states, then moves to larger ones.

Battleground States

States where political contests are considered close.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA)

Banned soft money to national parties and limited campaign ads by outside groups.

Buckley v. Valeo (1974)

Struck down limits on personal contributions to one’s own campaign.

Bush v. Gore

Court ruled Florida's recount method violated the Fourteenth Amendment.

Campaign Strategy

Master plan candidates use to guide their electoral campaigns.

Caucus

Meeting of party leaders to select delegates for the national party convention.

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)

Court ruled that the government cannot restrict independent political expenditures by corporations.

Civic Duty

Belief that citizens should always vote to support democratic government.

Coattail Effect

Popular political leaders attract votes for other candidates of the same party.

Conversion

Campaigns changing voters' minds.

Direct Mail

High-tech method for raising campaign funds.

Federal Election Campaign Act (1974)

Reformed campaign finance, creating the FEC and limiting contributions.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Bipartisan agency enforcing campaign finance laws.

Frontloading

Tendency for states to hold primaries early to gain media attention.

General Election

Regular election of candidates for office, typically held every two years.

Help America Vote Act (2002)

Improved state voting systems and access by creating registration databases.

Incumbent

The current holder of a political office.

Initiative Petition

Process allowing voters to propose changes to state constitutions.

Invisible Primary

Pre-election period where candidates seek early support from party elites.

Legitimacy

Characterization of elections as fair and accepted for selecting leaders.

Mandate Theory of Elections

Winning candidates perceived to have a mandate to implement their platforms.

Matching Funds

Contributions matched by the Presidential Election Campaign Fund under conditions.

McGovern-Fraser Commission

Reformed delegate selection at the Democratic convention for diversity.

Midterm Election

General election in non-presidential years, occurring two years into a presidential term.

Motor Voter Act (1993)

Requires states to allow voter registration alongside driver's license applications.

National Primary

Proposal to replace multiple state primaries with a single nationwide primary.

Nomination

The act of submitting a name for candidacy.

Political Efficacy

Belief that one's political participation can make a difference.

Party Platform

A political party's statement of goals and policies for four years.

Policy Voting

Choices made based on voters’ policy preferences.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Funding vehicles for corporations, interest groups, or unions, limited to $5,000 per candidate.

Presidential Election Campaign Fund

Money sourced from federal tax check-offs to support presidential campaigns.

Referendum

Method of direct legislation allowing voters to approve or disapprove proposed laws.

Reinforcement

Campaigns encourage voters to maintain their preferences.

Regional Primaries

Proposal to hold a series of primaries in each geographic area.

Retrospective Voting

Voters ask, 'What have you done for me lately?' when making choices.

Selective Perception

People pay most attention to things they agree with, interpreting them through their own biases.

Soft Money

Political contributions for party-building not subject to limits; banned by McCain-Feingold Act.

Suffrage

The legal right to vote.

Superdelegates

National party leaders with automatic delegate slots at the Democratic convention.

Super PACs

Political Action Committees allowed to spend unlimited amounts on campaigns with no direct contact with candidates.

Voter Registration

System requiring voters to register well in advance of Election Day.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Prohibits voting qualifications and requires federal checks on voting registration.