Political Terms and Concepts: A Comprehensive Glossary, Quizzes of Local Government Studies

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TERM 1 Independent DEFINITION 1 a voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party TERM 2 Political Party DEFINITION 2 A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy TERM 3 Factions DEFINITION 3 A group or bloc in a legislature or political party acting in pursuit of some special interest or position TERM 4 Two-Party System DEFINITION 4 A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of winning TERM 5 Era of Good Feelings DEFINITION 5 The years from 1817-1825, when James Monroe was president and had no political opposition TERM 6 Democratic Party DEFINITION 6 One of the two major american political parties evolving out of the republican party of Thomas Jefferson TERM 7 Whig Party DEFINITION 7 A major party in the united states during the first half to eh 19th century, formally established in 1836. It was anti- jackson and represented a variety of regional interests TERM 8 Republican Party DEFINITION 8 One of the two major American political parties. It emerge in the 1850s as an antislavery party and consisted of former Northern Whigs and anti-slavery democrats TERM 9 Reverse-Income Effect DEFINITION 9 A tendency for wealthier states or regions to favor the Democrats and for less wealthy states or regions to favor the Republicans. It appears paradoxical because it reverses traditional patterns of support TERM 10 Party-in-the-Electorate DEFINITION 10 Those members of the general public who identify with a political party for who express a preference for one party over another TERM 21 Safe Seat DEFINITION 21 A district that returns the legislator with 55% or more of the vote TERM 22 Plurality DEFINITION 22 A number of votes cat for a candidate that is greater than the number of votes for any other candidate but not necessarily be a majority TERM 23 Electoral College DEFINITION 23 A group of persons who are selected by the voters in each state and elect the president and vice president TERM 24 Third Party DEFINITION 24 A political party other than Democrat or Republican TERM 25 Splinter Party DEFINITION 25 A new party formed b a dissident faction within a major political party. They have emerged when a particular personality was at odds with the major party TERM 26 Realignment DEFINITION 26 The process in which a substantial group of voters switches party allegiance, producing a long-term change in the political landscape TERM 27 Dealignment DEFINITION 27 A decline in party loyalties that reduces long-term party commitment TERM 28 Party Identification DEFINITION 28 Linking oneself to a particular political party TERM 29 Straight-ticket voting DEFINITION 29 voting exclusively for the candidates of one party TERM 30 Swing Voters DEFINITION 30 Voters who frequently swing their support from one party to another TERM 31 Tipping DEFINITION 31 A phenomenon that occurs when a group that is becoming more numerous over time groups large enough to change the political balance in a district, state, or country TERM 32 Voter Turnout DEFINITION 32 The percentage of citizens taking part in the election process; the number of eligible voters who actually "turn out" on election day to cast their ballots TERM 33 Regional Ignorance Effect DEFINITION 33 An effect produced when people purposeful and rationally decide not to become informed on an issue because they believe that their vote on the issue is not likely to be a deciding on; a lack of incentive to see the necessary information to cast an intelligent vote TERM 34 Registration DEFINITION 34 The entry of a person's name onto the list of registered voters for elections. To register, a person much meet certain legal requirements of age, citizenship, and residency. TERM 35 Caucus DEFINITION 35 A meeting of party members designed to select candidates and propose policies TERM 46 Finance Chairperson DEFINITION 46 The campaign professional who directs fundraising, campaign spending, and compliance with campaign finance laws and reporting requirements TERM 47 Polister DEFINITION 47 The person or firm who conducts public opinion polls for the campaign TERM 48 Communication Director DEFINITION 48 A professional specialist who plans the communications strategy and advertising campaign for the candidate TERM 49 Press Secretary DEFINITION 49 Individual who interacts directly with the journalists covering the campaign TERM 50 Get Out the Vote (GOTV) DEFINITION 50 Describes the multiple efforts expended by campaigns to get voters out to the polls on election day TERM 51 Spin DEFINITION 51 An interpretations of campaign events or election results that is favorable to the candidate's campaign strategy TERM 52 Spin Doctors DEFINITION 52 Political campaign advisors who try to convince journalists of the truth of a particular interpretation of events TERM 53 Corrupt Practices Acts DEFINITION 53 A series of acts passed by congress in an attempts to limit and regulate the size and sources of contributions and expenditures in political campaigns TERM 54 Hatch Act DEFINITION 54 An act passed in 1939 that resricted the political activities of government employees. It also prohibited a political group from spending more that $3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to $5,000 TERM 55 Hard Money DEFINITION 55 This refers to political contributions and campaign spending that is recorded under the regulations set forth in law by the FEC TERM 56 Political Action Committee DEFINITION 56 Set up by and representing a corporation, labor union, or special-interest group. Pac's raise and give campaign donations TERM 57 Soft Money DEFINITION 57 Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities TERM 58 Issue Advocacy Advertising DEFINITION 58 Advertising paid for by interest groups that support or oppose a candidate or a candidate's position on an issue without mentioning voting or elections TERM 59 Super PAC DEFINITION 59 A political committee that can accept unlimited contributions from individuals and corporations to spend supporting a candidate as long as its efforts are not coordinated with the candidate's own campaign TERM 60 Independent Expenditures DEFINITION 60 Nonregulated contributions from PAC's, organizations, and individuals. The funds may be spent on advertising or other campaign activities so long as those expenditures are not coordinated with those of a candidate