American Government Ch. 11: Political Parties and Elections

political party

a group of persons who seek to control government through the winning of elections and the holding of public office

Political Spectrum

the difference in political views held by the different political parties ranging from liberal to moderate to conservative

Partisanship

the strong support of their party and its policy stands

Plurality

the number of votes cast for a candidate who receives more than any other but does not receive an absolute majority.

Bipartisan

supported by two political parties

Consensus

general agreement among various groups on fundamental matters; broad agreement on public questions

Coalition

a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

ward

a unit into which cities are often divided for the election of city council members

Precinct

The smallest unit of election administration; a voting district

Nomination

The process of candidate selection in an electoral system

General Election

a regular election of candidates for office where the winner actually takes office, as opposed to a primary election.

Primary Election

election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party

Direct Primary

A primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office in the general election

Closed Primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

Open Primary

Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.

Blanket Primary

a voting process in which voters receive a long ballot containing the names of all contenders, regardless of party, and can vote however they choose

Platform

a series of statements expressing the party's principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues

Runoff Primary

a second primary election between the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the first primary

Nonpartisan elections

elections in which candidates are not identified by party membership on the ballot

winner-take-all election

Winner of an election is the person who has the most votes -- our single member, plurality system is a winner-take-all system. The Electoral College, for example, awards all of a state's electoral votes to the person getting the most popular votes within that state (true in 48 out of 50 states).

Proportional representation election

Election in which all seats in Congress are awarded to parties in a single election, based on the percentage of votes the parties receive

Swing voters

members of the electorate who have not made up their minds who they will vote for at the start of a campaign and are open to persuasion by either side

Battleground States

States in which the outcome of an election is too close to call and either candidate could win

Popular vote

The votes cast by citizens in an election, but not always reflective of who will win the Electoral College vote.

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president. Normally they cast their vote for whoever the people of the state chose when they voted.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns to support one or more candidates without being directly connected to their campaign.

Super PAC

an organization that may spend an unlimited amount of money on a political campaign, as long as the spending is not coordinated with a campaign in an effort to influence the election in a way that supports their interests.

Federal Election Commission Act

A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission and provided for limits on and disclosure of campaign contributions.

Hard Money

Political contributions given to a party or candidate, that are limited in amount and fully disclosed.

Soft Money

Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts.

Liberal

open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. Believes in using government to effect change for the better in the economy and society. Generally favors more government and working toward more income equality.

Conservative

A person who believes government power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maximize individual freedom. Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation, typically in relation to politics or religion.

Democrat

Supporter or advocate of the Democratic Party. Typically adopts a more liberal political view.

Republican

Person advocating or supporting Republican party. Typically adopts a more conservative political view.

Blue

Generally more liberal or supporting more of the modern Democratic political party

Red

Generally more conservative or supporting more the modern Republican political party

Purple

Indicates a close mix of liberal and conservative views and so it is not dominated or overly committed to either blue or red. A close mix or balance of both political views.

Plank

each individual part of a political party's platform

Moderate

Person whose views are between conservative and liberal and may include some of both ideologies

Radical

Favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms. Often associated with violent insurrection or revolution on the extreme edge of the political spectrum.

Reactionary

strongly opposed to change; conservative ideological view that favors a return to a previous state of affairs. Generally on the extreme edge of the political spectrum.

National Convention

A national meeting of delegates elected in primaries, caucuses, or state conventions who assemble once every four years to nominate candidates for president and vice president, ratify the party platform, elect officers, and adopt rules.

incumbent

The current officeholder who is trying to be elected again for an additional term.

Third Party

An additional political party organized in opposition to the major parties in a two-party system. Often serves to highlight unhappiness with the traditional choice, brings out specific issues to the public, and can divide support for one or the other main political parties.

Ideology

a system of ideas and ideals, especially one that forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy.

Inaguration

A ceremony in which the president takes the oath of office and officially begins his term