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Two-Party Electoral System
A system in which two major political parties dominate the government by winning elections
Alexander Hamilton
George Washington's alignment with him led to the formation of the first political parties in the United States
Democratic Republicans
Followers of Thomas Jefferson, known as Democratic Republicans, marked the beginning of the first two-party system in the United States
The War of 1812
Lack of Federalist support for this event led to their elimination as a national political force in the United States
Election of 1860
Associated with a major realignment of the parties, signifying a significant shift in the political landscape of the United States
Plurality Rules
Rules for determining election outcomes where the winner is the candidate that gets more votes than any other candidate
Divided government
When the opposing party controls both houses of congress, making it difficult for the president to accomplish their agenda
Two-Party System
A political system dominated by two major parties, in this case, the Democrats and the Republicans
Political Action Committee (PAC)
An organization formed to raise and contribute money to the campaigns of political candidates or parties
Tillman Act
Prohibited corporations from contributing money to candidates running in federal elections
Super PACs and independent expenditure-only committees
Raise and spend unlimited money to support or attack a candidate
Republican Party
Pro-life and anti-abortion
Two-Party System
To discourage the presence of third-party candidates
Plurality
More votes than any other candidate
Proportional Representation System
Legislative seats allocated based on total share of votes
Allowing voters to pick preferred party
Ensures personal leadership styles play less of a role
Third Parties
Develop to address concerns ignored by major parties
Economic Protest Party
Galvanizes around monetary issues
Splinter Party
The Bull Moose Party
18th Amendment and 21st Amendment
Weakened political parties
Strom Thurmond
Opposed Harry Truman's nomination and formed the States' Rights Party
Ross Perot
Ran on an anti-incumbency stance in 1992
Incumbents
Have franking privileges
Gerrymandering
Manipulation of district boundaries for political advantage
Supreme Court in 1986
Declared gerrymandering unlawful
Madison's view on regulating factions
Regulate them
Interest Groups vs
Interest groups do not primarily elect candidates of a particular party
Industrial Revolution impact on interest groups
Significant increase in the number of interest groups
Lobbyists
Formal members of organized interest groups who represent the interest before the government to influence public policy through politicians
Public Interest Groups
Groups that attempt to promote public or collective goods that benefit most or all citizens
AARP (American Association for the Advancement of Retired People)
A membership organization representing the interests of people over the age of 50, lobbying on issues affecting the elderly
Lobbying Disclosure Act
Legislation defining a lobbyist as anyone who spends more than 20% of their time lobbying government officials and requiring them to report their activities
Closed Primaries
Primary elections where only registered members of a particular political party can vote for the party's candidates
Woodrow Wilson
President who attempted to end secret treaties between nations with his 14 points
Versailles Treaty
Treaty negotiated in the Palace of Versailles to end war, debated and signed in the Hall of Mirrors
Dangling Chads
Pieces of paper that led to miscounts in voting, causing incomplete punches on the ballots
Electronic Voting
A voting method where voters can press a button next to the candidate's name and a computer records the vote
Internet Voting
A voting method being considered for its convenience, but with concerns about ensuring privacy as guaranteed in the First Amendment
Election Day
The US general election day for federal public officials, set by law for the first Tuesday after a Monday in November
Midterm Elections
Elections in which the President is not up for election, including candidates running for Senator every six years, or Representative every two years
Hanging Chads
Pieces of paper that are not completely punched through on a punch card ballot, leading to miscounts
Faithless Elector
An elector who votes for a candidate other than the one they are pledged to, although this has never changed the result of an election
Electoral College
A system where the President is elected indirectly, with actual votes cast by the Electoral College, and each state's votes in the Electoral College
Absentee Ballot
A method for registered voters, such as students or members of the armed forces, to vote when they are not in their voting districts on election day
Popular vote
The total number of votes cast for a candidate by the general public in a presidential election
Electoral College vote
The process by which the President of the United States is formally elected, with each state having a number of electors equal to the total of its Senators and Representatives in Congress