Chapter 8

Winner Take All

Laws in most states that award all of a state's electoral votes to the candidate who wins the most popular votes in that particular state

270

Minimum amount of votes needed to win the Electoral College

primary election

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

Election Day

Occur every two years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

What influences how a person votes?

Partisan Loyalty Candidate's view on important issues Candidate Characteristics

Runoff election

A "second round" election in which voters choose between the top two candidates from the first round

Plurality

A candidate receives more votes than any other, but does not receive a majority

Electoral College

A group of people that represent the US states in voting for president and vice-president of the United States.

Referendum

A law proposed by a legislature that is referred to the public for a vote of approval or rejection

Closed Primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

General Election

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office...candidates are members of opposing political parties.

What is the most important factor in predicting whether an individual votes?

Education Level

Open primary

Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.

What laws have been passed to increase registration and voting in the United States?

Same-Day Registration Motor Voter Absentee Voting (includes Early Voting) Voting by Mail (Oregon)

Gerrymandering

The drawing of legislative district boundaries to benefit a political party or group

National Convention

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a candidate for president/vice president and write the party's platform.

Apportionment

The process by which seats in the House of Representatives are distributed among the 50 states

Incumbent

the current officeholder, running for reelection

Qualifications for President

1. Natural born citizen 2. At least 35 years old 3. 14 year resident

538

Total Number of Electors

What are some reasons for low voter turnout in the United States?

Tuesday Voting, 2 Step Process (Registration, Voting)

What is the single-most important political act for most Americans?

Voting

Straight Ticket

Voting for candidates who are all of the same party

Split Ticket

a ballot on which a voter selects candidates from more than one political party

Recall Election

a special election called by voters to remove an elected official before his/her term expires.