CHAPTER 9 (VOTING)

salient

in relation to a voting issue - having resonance, being significant, causing intense interest

party-column ballot

a ballot that organizes the candidates by political party

retrospective voting

a method of evaluating candidates in which voters evaluate incumbent candidates and decide whether to support them based on their past performance

turnout rate

the proportion of eligible voters who actually voted

Incumbency

the situation of already holding the office that is up for reelection

Australian ballot

A secret ballot prepared by the government, distributed to all eligible voters, and, when balloting is completed, counted by government officials in an unbiased fashion, without corruption or regard to individual preferences.

prospective voting

A method of evaluating candidates in which voters focus on candidates' positions on issues important to them and vote for the candidates who best represent their views.

office block

A type of ballot that arranges all the candidates for a particular office under the name of that office

absentee voting

The casting of a ballot in advance by mail in situations where illness, travel, or other circumstances prevent voters from voting in their precinct.

voter fatigue

The condition in which voters grow tired of all candidates by the time Election Day arrives, and may thus be less likely to vote.

Rational Choice Theory

The idea that when deciding whether to vote, individuals will consider both how much they care about outcome of the election and the likelihood that their vote will be important in influencing its outcome

coattail effect

The phenomenon by which candidates running for lower-level offices such as city-council benefit in an election from the popularity of a top-of-ticket nominee