Camp Part2

What is a political campaign?

An organized effort to influence voters to elect a candidate

What is the main goal of a campaign?

Win elections by gaining voter support

What are the key elements of a successful campaign?

Money, message, organization, and candidate appeal

What is campaign financing?

Money raised and spent to influence elections

What is the role of money in campaigns?

Funds advertising, staff, travel, and outreach

What is a PAC (Political Action Committee)?

Organization that raises and spends money to influence elections

What is a Super PAC?

Independent group that can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates

What is soft money?

Political donations not directly regulated by federal limits (often to parties)

What is hard money?

Donations directly to candidates that are regulated by law

What is the FEC?

Federal Election Commission that regulates campaign finance laws

What is campaign advertising?

Use of media to persuade voters

What is a negative ad?

Advertisement attacking an opponent

What is voter targeting?

Identifying specific groups of voters to influence

What is grassroots mobilization?

Encouraging ordinary people to participate in a campaign

What is GOTV (Get Out The Vote)?

Efforts to increase voter turnout

What is incumbency advantage?

Benefits current officeholders have in elections (name recognition, funding, experience)

What is name recognition?

How familiar voters are with a candidate

What is political polarization?

Increasing ideological divide between parties

How does media influence elections?

Shapes public opinion and candidate visibility

What is earned media?

Free coverage by news outlets

What is paid media?

Advertising purchased by campaigns

What is social media’s role in campaigns?

Direct communication with voters and rapid information spread

What is a debate?

Formal discussion between candidates on issues

What factors influence vote choice?

Demographics, party ID, issues, and candidate image

What is party identification?

A voter’s psychological attachment to a political party

What is retrospective voting?

Voting based on past performance of leaders

What is prospective voting?

Voting based on future policy promises

What is straight-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates from one party only

What is split-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates from different parties

What is ballot fatigue?

Voters becoming less likely to vote in lower-level races

What is turnout gap?

Difference in voting rates among groups

What role do interest groups play in campaigns?

Provide funding, endorsements, and mobilization

What is an endorsement?

Public support for a candidate

What is campaign strategy?

Plan to win votes and allocate resources effectively

What is political messaging?

How candidates communicate ideas to voters