Unit 4 Vocab

Independent political groups that are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates. A part of the tax code specifies that contributions to such groups must be reported to the IRS.

Groups that are exempted from reporting their contributions and can receive unlimited contributions. A part of the tax code specifies that such groups cannot spend more than half their funds on political activities.

The key states that the presidential campaigns focus on because they are most likely to decide the outcome of the Electoral College vote.

A system for selecting convention delegates used in about a dozen states in which voters must attend an open meeting to express their presidential preference.

Elections that political parties use to select candidates for a general election (not in book)

Elections to select party nominees in which only people who have registered in advance with the party can vote for that party's candidates, thus encouraging greater party loyalty.

Elections to select party nominees in which voters can decide on Election Day whether they want to participate in the Democratic or Republican contests.

A unique American institution created by the Constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties.

The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues (not from book).

Expenses on behalf of a political message that are made by groups that are uncoordinated with any candidate's campaign.

A procedure by which voters can propose a law (not from book).

The use of in-depth reporting to unearth scandals, scams, and schemes, at times putting reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders.

The period before any votes are cast when candidates compete to win early support from the elite of the party and to create a positive first impression of their leadership skills.

The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics. Politicians like this idea better than political scientists do.

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other means of popular communication.

The supreme power within each of the parties. It meets every four years to nominate the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates and to write the party's platform.

The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success here requires momentum, money, and media attention.

Groups that raise money from individuals and then distribute it in the form of contributions to candidates that the group supports (must register w/ the FEC).

These independent, expenditure-only organizations may accept donations of any size and can endorse candidates. Their contributions and expenditures must be periodically reported to the FEC.

a type of election in which the candidate with the most votes wins the election (does not need to win a majority of votes to win election-- just need the most votes). (not from book)

electoral choices that are made on the basis of the voters' policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues

voting based on the past performance of a candidate (not from book)

Elections in which a state's voters go to the polls to express their preference for a party's nominee for president. Most delegates to the national party conventions are chosen this way.

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office (occurs in even years) (not from book)

A method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation. (not from book)

The process through which people consciously choose to get the news from information sources that have viewpoints compatible with their own.

The phenomenon that people's beliefs often guide what they pay the most attention to and how they interpret events.

An electoral district in which voters choose one representative or official. (not from book)

Political contributions earmarked for party-building expenses at the grassroots level or for generic party advertising. For a time, such contributions were unlimited, until they were banned by the McCain-Feingold Act.

Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed. (not from book)

National party leaders who automatically get a delegate slot at the national party convention.

A case in which the Supreme Court of the United States upheld federal limits on campaign contributions and ruled that spending money to influence elections is a form of constitutionally protected free speech. (not from book)

A 2010 landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that individuals, corporations, and unions could donate unlimited amounts of money to groups that make independent political expenditures.

A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and provided for limits on and disclosure of campaign contributions.

A six-member bipartisan agency created by the FECA of 1974. This entity administers and enforces campaign finance laws.

A 1993 act that requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

Extended suffrage to African American men.

Established the direct election of senators (not from book)

Gave women the right to vote (not from book)

Abolished poll taxes (not from book)

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (not from book)