Campaigns
Supreme Court case that ruled that political spending is a form of free speech, protected by the first amendment
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)
organizations that seek to influence public policy by advocating for specific interests or causes.
Interest groups
a group of individuals chosen by each state to formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States.
Electoral College
The belief that your vote matters and can influence policy and that our actions have an influence over the government
Political Efficacy
channels of communication, such as television, newspapers, and social media, that convey information and ideas to a broad audience.
Media
the process of raising money to support a political campaign
Campaign fundraising
refers to the tendency for individuals to not participate in elections, as they believe their vote will not significantly impact the outcome and that others will vote on their behalf.
Free-rider problem
Election to decide which candidates will hold office, Candidates compete against candidates from other parties
General Election
Established the popular election of US Senators by the people
Seventeenth amendment
a type of political journalism that focuses on the competition and strategies of political campaigns, rather than the issues and candidates.
Horse race journalism
organizations that raise and spend money to influence the outcome of political campaigns or elections.
PAC's (Political Action Committee)
organizations and processes that link citizens to their government, such as political parties, interest groups, and the media.
Linkage institutions
a meeting of members of a political party or interest group members to select candidates, discuss and make decisions on political issues, or make nominations.
Caucus
a system of voting where the candidate with the most votes in a given election wins, regardless of the margin of victory.
Winner-Take-All Voting
individuals or firms that provide expert advice and strategies to political candidates and campaigns to help them win elections.
Professional Consultants
Ads in support or opposition of a candidate were required to include: “I’m [candidate’s name] and I approve this message."
“Stand by Your Ad” Provision
an individual loses interest or loyalty to their political party
Dealignment
a meeting of the delegates of a political party to nominate candidates, adopt a party platform, and conduct other party business.
National convention
voting on what is in the citizen’s best interest
Rational-Choice Voting
the bias or preference for one political party or ideology over another, demonstrated by media outlets or journalists.
Media partisanship
this federal law placed limitations on soft-money contributions by political committees and prohibited corporations and labor unions from advocating for or against a candidate via broadcast, cable or satellite prior to presidential primaries and the general election.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) aka McCain-Feingold Act
Seeking to influence a politician on a specific issue by directly talking to bureaucrats or elected officials
Direct Lobbying
a primary election in which only registered party members can vote for their party's candidates.
Close primary
Abolished poll taxes in federal elections
Twenty-Fourth
Interest groups attempt to influence policy by working outside Washington D.C
Outside Strategies