Political Parties
In this type of primary election, only members of a specific political party can vote to choose their candidate for the general election.
What is a closed primary?
strategy where they push towards encouraging people to show up to the polls
"Get Out the Vote"
the word for the amount of people that actually do vote out of the people that are eligible to vote
voter turnout
The term for fundraising to support a candidate during their campaign.
What is campaign finance?
Describe two important functions of political parties in US elections.
Two important functions of political parties in US elections include providing platforms for issues and to recruit candidates for government office.
This term refers to the benefit that individuals or organizations receive from being part of an interest group, even if they do not actively participate or contribute.
What is the free rider problem?
This amendment banned the use of poll taxes in federal elections.
What is the 24th Amendment?
candidates focus on these states as winning them can go to whichever candidate
swing states
Explain the difference between party realignment & regional realignment
Party realignment: a mass number of people switch their political party
Regional Realignment: regions of the US switch political party
main priorities of interest groups
1. high membership
or
2. influence politics/people
this election sees the lowest voter turnout
midterm elections
How do campaigns reach voters?
advertising, candidate debates, the use of social media
These structures connect the public to the government and its policies and vice versa
What are linkage institutions?
the main way interest groups reach people during election years
paid advertisements/commercials
What characteristics are required for an individual to be able to vote?
At least 18 years old, US citizen, an must meet their individual state requirements
This Supreme Court case ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited amounts of money on political ads, leading to the rise of Super PACs.
What is Citizens United v. FEC?
main reason as to why third parties don't win.
winner takes all system
or
If they have a popular idea the major parties will adopt their policies as their own
A strategy where groups seek to influence the passage of legislation by exerting direct pressure on members of government
lobbying
Explain the difference between prospective and retrospective voting.
Prospective voting ia and individual voting based on what the candidate promises and retrospective voting is an individual voting based on what the candidate has already done
Election campaigns and other political processes in which candidates, not political parties, have most of the initiative and influence.
Candidate-Centered Campaigns