Chapter 9
factors affecting voter population
-age population -eligible population -turnout
demographics and voting
-race -gender -age -marital status -socioeconomic status -region
open primary
A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they enter the polling place
direct primaries
A primary in which members of a party nominate its candidates by direct vote.
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
open vs closed primary
An open primary is a primary election in which any registered voter can vote in any party's primary. In a closed primary, only voters registered for the party which is holding the primary may vote. Plurality versus majority
Nomination Petitions
The certain number of signatures of registered voters that candidates must collect to qualify for inclusion on a ballot
Help America Vote Act of 2002
a federal law meant to reduce barriers to participation in elections
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)
banned soft money contributions to national political parties from corporations and unions; independent expenditures by corporations, labor unions, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations are sharply restricted
plurality system
electoral process in which the candidate who polls more votes than any other candidate is elected
Federal Election Campaign Act (1971)
established the main rules for campaign finance today and created the Federal Election Commission
party convention
held every four years by each of the major political parties to nominate a presidential & vp candidate
Caucuses
meetings where political parties chose their candidates
primary elections
the process by which a candidate is placed on a ballot for an election
National Voter Registration Act
this act passed in 1993 and frequently called the "Motor Vehicle Act" is a piece of legislation that includes a provision that makes it possible to register to vote when applying for or renewing your drivers license.
runoff primaries
voters choose between the to vote-getters from the first election