AP Gov. - Unit 5 Vocab

spoils system

A practice in which a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its supporters as a reward for their loyalty.

linkage institutions

Organizations that connect citizens to government, including elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media.

closed primary

A type of primary election in which only registered party members can vote to select their party's candidate.

realigning election

An election that leads to a significant shift in the political landscape, often resulting in a change of party dominance and long-term alterations in party alignment.

turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election, reflecting the level of public engagement in the electoral process.

coattail effect

The influence that a popular candidate has on the electoral success of other candidates from the same party, often seen in elections where the top candidate's popularity boosts the chances of down-ballot candidates.

name recognition

The extent to which a candidate is known by the public, often influencing their chances of election success.

party identification

The political party with which an individual aligns themselves, often influencing their voting behavior and preferences in elections.

lobbyist

A person who is employed to persuade legislators to enact or reject legislation on behalf of a special interest group or organization.