The American Political System - Chapter 13 Terms

Plurality rule

A method for determining an election's winner in which that candidate who receives the most votes wins. (page 424)

Open primary

A primary election in which anyone can vote, regardless of party affiliation. (page 432)

Closed primary

A primary election in which only voters registered with the party can vote. (page 432)

Convergence theory

A theory that says that if there are two candidates competing in an election, and voters are arrayed along a line ideologically, the candidates' policy positions will become more moderate as they converge on the middle (median) voter. (page 426)

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 or more extreme policies. (page 428)

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. (page 426)

Political action committee (PAC)

A type of organization regulated by the Federal Election Commission that raises money from donors to support the election campaign of federal political candidates. (page 434)

Initiative

An election held to vote directly on a ballot proposition that was proposed by a group of individuals. (page 445)

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. (page 445)

Single-member district

An electoral district in which a single person is elected to a given office. (page 424)

Hard money

Campaign funds that are given directly to candidates or parties to support a particular candidate, and thus subject to FEC regulations. (page 436)

Soft money

Campaign funds that are given to parties or other organizations to support voters mobilization or voter education activities, and thus typically not subject to FEC regulations. (page 436)

527s

Organizations that are independent of any party or candidate, and thus not regulated by the FEC as they advocate publicly for or against specific candidates, parties, or policies. (page 436)

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

The federal agency that regulates campaign donations to and spending by candidates for Congress and the presidency. (page 434)