American Government Institutions & Policies Chapter 9 Political Parties

office-bloc ballot

A ballot listing all candidates of a given office under the name of that office; also called a "Massachusetts" ballot.

party-column ballot

A ballot listing all candidates of a given party together under the name of that party; also called an "Indiana" ballot.

political party

A group that seeks to elect candidates to public office.

sponsored party

A local or state political party largely supported by another organization in the community.

national convention

A meeting of party delegates held every four years.

caucus

A meeting of party members to select delegates backing one or another primary candidate.

congressional campaign committee

A party committee in Congress that provides funds to members and would-be members.

political machine

A party organization that recruits members by dispensing patronage.

ideological party

A party that values principled stands om issues above all else.

critical or realignment periods

A period when a major, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties.

plurality system

An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority; used in almost all American elections.

two-party system

An electoral system with two dominant parties that compete in national elections.

national chair

Day-to-day party manager elected by the national committee.

national committee

Delegates who run party affairs between conventions.

super delegates

Party leaders and elected officials who become delegates to the national convention without having to run in primaries or caucuses.

mugwumps or progressives

Republican party faction of the 1890s to the 1910s, composed of reformers who opposed patronage.

personal following

The political support provided to a candidate on the basis of personal popularity and networks.

solidary incentives

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

split ticket

Voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election.

straight ticket

Voting for candidates who are all of the same party.