Government APS 13

Plurality rule/ plurality system

A method for determining an election's winner in which that candidate who receives the most votes wins, even if it's not the majority. Most american elections

Closed primary

A primary election in which only voters registered with the party can vote.

Texas Ethics Commission

A statewide regulatory authority established in 1991 to provide guidance on various public ethics laws

Direct election

A system of choosing officeholders in which voters directly cast ballots for a particular person

Convergence Theory

A theory that says candidates policy positions will become more moderate as they converge on the middle (median voter)

Australian Ballot

A type of ballot that lists all candidates running for each office and allows voters to cast their votes secretly and for specific individual candidates

Political action committee (PAC)

A type of organization regulated by the (FEC) that raises money from donors to support the election campaign of federal political candidates

Runoff primary

An election held between the two top vote-getters in a primary when none of the candidates receives majority of the original votes cast. Nomination by majority rather than by plurality.

Initiative

An election held to vote directly on a ballot proposition that was proposed by a group of individuals.

Referendum

An election in which citizens vote directly on whether to overturn a bill or a constitutional amendment that has been passed by the legislature.

Single-member district

An electoral district in which a single person is elected to a given office

Hard money

Campaign funds that are given directly to candidates or parties to support a particular candidate, thus subject to FEC regulations

Soft money

Campaign funds that are given to parties or other organizations to support voters mobilization, or voter education activities rather than directly to a particular candidate or campaign. Not subject to FEC regulations

Invisible primary

Candidates are fundraising, traveling to places etc;

Spatial Voting Theory

Candidates will attempt to appeal to the median voter in order to gain the most votes. Put their stances closet to the median voter.

What type of primary does Texas use?

Closed primary, BUT you can decide your party the day of.

Special Elections

Elections that are not regularly scheduled but called in response to certain events. Ex: to fill unexpected vacancies, to vote on proposed amendments to state constitution, to select city council members

Texas Elections

Has primary, general and special elections. They also have closed primaries

Major factors that contribute to candidates success in elections

Incumbency (person who is already in office) name recognition, party ID, their funding, faith and mobilizing the base and swing voter.

527's

Organizations that are independent of any party or candidate. Tax exempt organizations

1968 Democratic National Convention and the McGovern Fraser Reforms

Party elites controlled nomination process before this. Fundamentally transformed how presidential candidates are nominated, led to much more democratic elections.

Campaign Finance in TX compared to Federal elections

Texas ethics commission regulates campaign finance, much less stringent.

Major changes in the primary process in the U.S

The 1968 democratic conventions. It made things more democratic and dynamic

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

The federal agency that regulates campaign donations to and spending by candidates for congress and the presidency

Iowa and New Hampshire primaries

They are significant primaries, because Iowa is the first primary and New Hampshire is the first caucus

Median Voter theorem

a majority rule voting system will select the outcome most preferred by the median voter.

Open primary

a primary election in which anyone can vote, regardless of party affiliation.

Divergence Theory

a theory that says that voters on the extreme ends of the ideological spectrum, as opposed to moderate voters, have strong influence over electoral outcomes, and will influence candidates to campaign in favor of more extreme policies

God Strategy tactics

acting as a political priest by speaking the language of the faithful (blesses). Fusing god and country by linking america with divine will Embracing important religious symbols, practices, and rituals.

General election

an election in which all registered voters can make a final choice between each parties' nominees for each office on the ballot.

Primary electoin

an election in which the party electorate chooses which candidates will run for office under the party's label

Emotional appeals

candidates are more likely to use words that appeal to fear, anxiety and anger. That mobilizes the base of uncommitted voters.

Voting requirements in TX

citizen of the US. Resident of TX for 30 days. At least 18 years old. Must be registered to vote 30 days before the election

Political efficacy

citizens faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.

Primaries

elections held for the purpose of selecting or instructing national convention delegates

God Strategy

idea that religion has become a political weapon. Republicans more successful at this.

Caucuses

meeting of candidate supporters who choose delegates to a state or national convention

Super PAC

organization that can spend unlimited sums of money to advocate for the candidate but is prohibited from contributing funds directly to federal campaigns and parties

Proportional Representation

parties are given seats in the legislature based upon the percentage of the votes received. Idea that you're voting for the party and not the candidate.

Sharpstown stock fraud scandal

scandal that led to a wave of reform in Texas politics surrounding the reporting and disclosing of campaign funds.

Swing States

states that have voted both republican and democrat in the last 4 elections. Politicians focus on these states because they can "go either way"

Direct Democracy

theory that people should be able to vote on policy directly

Blanket primaries

voters are presented with all the candidates for each office irrespective of their party. Candidates from each party with the most votes then move on as their party's nominees for the general election.

Voter turnout in TX

we are not very good at it. Lower than most states