Topic 11 Elections Test Review

caucus

A closed off meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office

primary election

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

precinct

a small unit, such as an apartment building, where all voting takes place; voting district

national committee

Delegates who run party affairs between national conventions.

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.

open primary

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

closed primary

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

direct primary

A primary where voters directly select the candidates who will run for office; principal nominating method

nomination by petition

selecting candidates by gathering a number of signatures from qualified voters

splinter party

a political party that is created when a group that is unhappy with the candidate, and sometimes the positions, of a major party breaks off from that party

one-party system

A political system in which only one party exists such as in a dictatorship

economic protest party

political parties rooted in periods of economic discontent who usually fade away after the economic crisis is over

bonding agent function

ensures the good performance of its candidates and elected office holders and then makes sure candidates are not unqualified for the public office they seek

watchdog function

When the party out of power exposes corruption in the government, they are exercising their...

political party

A group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government, and determine public policy

single-issue party

political party focused on one issue such as the environment

battleground states

States in which any major candidate could win and the outcome is too close to call

proportional representation

An election system in which each party running receives the proportion of legislative seats corresponding to its proportion of the vote.

winner-takes-all election

only the top vote-getter wins

electoral college

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

12th Amendment

separation of electoral votes for President and Vice President

25th Amendment

Amendment that creates a chain of succession for filling in the presidential seat in case of death/incapacitation. VP becomes acting president.

presidential electors

The number of presidential electors a state is based on the number of Senators and Representatives a state has

tie in the electoral college

The house takes the top three and elects the president

American ideological consensus

the idea that most Americans agree on most issues; big reason for America's two party system

only concerned with one policy issue;

Green Party

What is a single issue party & provide 1 example?

Candidates will be beholden to those corporate interests once in office (PACs)

What is the fear of the contribution of unrestricted corporate money being allowed in federal elections

System where ruler holds absolute power (tyrannical rule)

What does despotism mean?

Fight over the Ratification of the Constitution

What issues led to the 1st 2 political parties?

open: all eligible voters may vote; closed: only registered party voters may vote

Compare/Contrast open vs closed primaries

Election open to all registered voters to select nominees

Direct Primary

$1 million dollars

A candidate for a seat in the House of Representatives typically must raise and spend at least

open primary election

Independent voters have more of a voice in the nominating process in an open OR closed primary.

Only declared party members

Who may vote in a closed primary

Candidates are nominated by means of petitions signed by a certain number of qualified voters

Describe the petition method of nomination

a) Self-announcement b) caucus c) convention d) direct primary e) petition

. List the methods of nomination:

multiparty systems

Coalition governments are necessary in most two-party or multiparty systems?

Separated the ballots for President & VP in the electoral college

How did the 12th Amendment change the presidential election in the Electoral College?

They are a link between the people and their government

Why are political parties essential to democratic government?

Candidates wins the percentage (%) of popular vote will win the same Percentage (%) in delegates

Describe the proportional representation rule for primaries