a secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by govt officials at the public expense. All stated have used this since 1888
australian ballot
a presidency primary in which candidates compete for the popular votes but the results do not control the selection of delegates to the national convention
"beauty contest"
a meeting of party members designed to select candidates and propose policies
caucus
a type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member.
closed primary
the influence of a popular candidate on the electoral success of other candidates on the same party ticket
coattail effect
a series of acts passed by congress in an attempt to limit and regulate the size and sources of contributions and expenditures in political campaigns
corrupt practices acts
a committee used by political parties at their national conventions to determine which delegates may participate
credentials committee
a primary election in which voters decide party nominations by voting directly for candidates
direct primary
a small group of individuals who are led in discussion by a professional consultant to gather opinions on and responses to candidates and issues
focus group
the right to vote
franchise
the practice of moving presidential primary elections to the early part of the campaign to maximize the impact of these primaries on the nomination
front-loading
the presidential candidate who appears to be ahead at a given time in the primary season
front-funner
held on the 1st tues in Nov
general election
an act passed in 1939 that restricted the political activities of govt employees. it also prohibited a political group form spending more than 3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to 5,000
hatch act
unregulated political expenditures by PAC's, organizations and individuals that are not coordinated with candidate campaigns or political parites
independent expenditures
a primary election in which voters choose convention delegates and the delegates determine the party's candidate in the general election
indirect primary
advertising paid for by interest groups that support or oppose a candidate or a candidates's position on an issue without mentioning voting or elections.
issue advocacy advertising
a form of general election ballot in which candidates for elective office are grouped together under the title of each office
office block aka massachusetts ballot
a primary in which any registered voter can vote but must vote for candidates of only one party
open primary
ballot in which all of a party's candidates for elective office are arranged in one column under the party's label and symbol
party-column aka indiana ballot
a committee set up by and representing a corporation labor union or special interest group. raise campaign donations
political action committee PAC
a statewide primary election of delegates to a political party's national convention held to determine a party's presidential nominee
presidential primary
an election in which political parties choose heir candidates for the general election
primary election
campaign contributions unregulated by federal or stare law usually given to parties and party committees to help fun general party activities
soft money
a party leader or elected official who is given the right to vote at the party's national convention. not elected at the state level
superdelegates
people able to vote
vote-eligable population
the percentage of citizens taking part in the election process; the number of eligible voters who actually turn out on election day to cast their ballots
voter turnout
number of people of voting age in the county at a given time regardless of whether they have the right to vote