| A | B |
|---|
| candidate | person seeking elected office |
| two-party system | where two major parties dominate the politics of a nation |
| Country with a 2 party system | United States |
| multi-party system | a system where many parties influence the politics of a nation |
| example of a multi-party system | most European countries |
| plurality | winning more votes than anyone else, but not necessarily half |
| majority | more than half (50.1%) |
| coalition | formed when no party receives a majority of votes |
| one-party system | one group completely dominates the political system |
| example of a one-party system | China |
| Federalist Party | first political party in the US. Supported by merchants and bankers |
| Democratic-Republican Party | early political party that was supported by farmers, planters, shopkeepers, and laborers |
| political party formed in 1850s to oppose slavery | Republican |
| third party | minor party that challenges the major parties |
| Populists | 3rd party that formed in 1890s that called for direct election for senators |
| Progressive Party | influential from early 1900s to WWI |
| number of 3rd party politicians who have served as president | 0 |
| patronage | giving special favors to party workers |
| precinct | geographic area that contains specific number of voters |
| political machine | local party organization that is able to get its candidates elected year after year |
| platform | statement of goals and positions on various public issues |
| plank | each item within a party's platform |
| grassroots movement | a political movement that begins with the people |
| nonpartisan | supporting neither party |
| electorate | people eligible to vote |
| apathy | lack of interest |
| literacy test | test given to voters to prove that the voter could read and write. Used to keep minorities from voting. |
| caucus | meeting of political party members to conduct party business |
| nominating conventions | more democratic method of nominating presidential candidate than caucus |
| primary election | used by party members to nominate candidates to run for office |
| closed primary | only declared party members can vote |
| open primary | members of both parties can vote for candidate to represent a party |
| endorsement | a famous or popular person supports or campaigns for a candidate |
| propoganda | attempt to promote a particular person or idea |
| canvassing | door-to-door advertising or phone calls to homes to enlist support |
| where most private money for election campaigns comes from | PACs |
| PACs | political fundraising organizations established by corporations, labor unions, and other special-interest groups. |
| Presidential Election Campaign Fund | designed to prevent wealthy candidates from buying their way into office by outspending their opponents |
| straight ticket | voting for all candidates from the same party |
| split ticket | voting for candidates from different parties |
| exit poll | asking voters how they voted in order to predict the outcome of the election |
| popular vote | votes cast directly by the people |
| electoral vote | votes cast by electors, who actually elect the president |
| Electoral votes | determined by number of Senators and Representatives a state has |
| Number of electoral votes needed to win election | 270 |
| gerrymandering | setting up oddly shaped districts for political purposes |
| initiative | citizens propose laws or state constitutional amendments |
| proposition | petition asking for proposed new law |
| referendum | voters can approve or reject a measure passed by the state legislature |
| recall | voters can remove a public official from office |
