Government and Politic Terms Chapter 10

the person already holding an elective office

the alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the presence at the top of the ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president

a committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations

drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in population

drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to favor one party

an increase in the votes congressional candidates usually get when they first run for reelection

an issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political parties adopt different policy positions

an issue about which the public is united and rival candidates or political parties adopt similar positions in hopes that each will be thought to best represent those widely shaped beliefs

an election held to choose which candidate will hold office

an election held to choose candidates for office

a primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party members

a primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place

a primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both parties

a second primary election held when no candidate wins a majority of the votes in the first primary

spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them

funds obtained by political parties that are spent on party activities, such as get-out-the-vote drives, but not on behalf of a specific candidate

organizations that, under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, raise and spend money to advance political causes

voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling issues

voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office

an organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

something of value one cannot get without joining an organization

the social rewards (sense of pleasure, status, or companionship) that lead people to join political organizations

money or things valued in monetary terms

a benefit that comes from serving a cause or principle

political organizations that attract members by appealing to their political convictions or principles

a political organization whose goals will principally benefit nonmembers

a widely shared demand for change in some aspect of the social or political order

a signal telling a legislator what values are at stake in a vote, and how that issue fits into his or her own political views on party agenda

assessments of a representative's voting record on issues important to an interest group