political party
an association of voters with broad common interests who influence or control decision making in government by electing party canidates into office
two-party system
a system of government in which two parties compete for power
third parties
a party that challenges the two major parties
platform
a series of statements expressing the party's principles and beliefs on election issues
plank
each individual part of a political party's platform
national committee
means the organization which, by virtue of political party's is responsible for the day-to-day issues of the party.
caucus
a meeting of political party members to conduct party business
precinct
a geographic area that contains a specific # of voters
ward
several adjoining precincts making up ma larger election unit
political machine
a strong party organization that can control political appointments and deliver votes
direct primary
an election in which voters choose candidates to represent each party in a general election
closed primary
an election in which only the declared members of a party are allowed to vote for that party's nominees
open primary
an election in which voters need not declare their party preference to vote for the party's nominees
plurality
the most votes among all those running for a political office
petition
a formal request for government action
watchdog
someone in charge of inspecting political parties and their decisions
national convention
a convention held every 4 years by each major US political party to choose its presidential candidate
polling place
location where voting is carried out
ballot
list of candidates on which you cast your vote
absentee ballot
ballot for those not located in the US such as those in the armed forces
returns
ballots and results of election
exit poll
a survey taken at polling place of how people voted
electorate
all the people who are eligible to vote
apathy
lack of interest
initiative
a procedure by which citizens can propose new laws or state ammendments
proposition
a petition asking for a new law
referendum
a way for citizens to vote on state or local laws
recall
a special election in which citizens can vote to remove oficials from office
winner-take-all
a system in which the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state recieves all of the states electoral votes
propaganda
certain ideas that may involve misleading mesages designed to manipulate people
political action committee
political organizations established by a corporation, labor union, or other special interest groups to support candidates by contributing money
soft money
donations given to political parties and not designed for a particular candidates election
incumbent
a politician who has already been leceted to office and is running for re-election
FECA
law passed in 1971 that requires public disclosure of candidates spending and limits the ammount people can contribute to a candidate or party
FEC
an independent agency of the executive branch established in 1974 to administer al federal election laws and monitor campaign finances
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act
also called the McCain-Feingold Act - prohibits national political parties, federal office holders and federal candidates from raising soft money
McConnel vs.FEC
Supreme Court Case that upheld the McCain- Feingold Act
public opinion
ideas and attitudes that most people hold about elected officials, government and political issues
mass media
mechanisms of mass communication, including T.V., radio, newspapers, magazines, etc.
interest
groupa group of people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs
public opinion poll
a survey in which individuals are asked questions about candidates or political issues
pollester
a specialist whose job is to conduct polls regularly
print media
media found on paper such as books, magazines and newspapers
electronic media
media found on the TV, radio, or internet
public agenda
issues considered most important by officials
leak
the release of secret government information by anonymous govermnet officials to the media
prior restraint
government censorship of material before it is published
malice
evil intent
public interest group
an organization that supports causes that affect the lives of americans
non partisan
free from party ties or bias
lobyists
representative of an interest group whoi contact lawmakers to influence their policies
push poll
polls in which the questions are worded so as to influence a person's responses one way or another.