Chapter 11-Voting, Campaigns, and Elections | POLS 1101 - American Government, Quizzes of Local Government Studies

Download Chapter 11-Voting, Campaigns, and Elections | POLS 1101 - American Government and more Quizzes Local Government Studies in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Access DEFINITION 1 The ability of privileged outsiders, such as interest group officials, to obtain a hearing from elected officials or bureaucrats. TERM 2 Candidante DEFINITION 2 A person who is running for elected office. TERM 3 Coordinated spending DEFINITION 3 Spending by the Democratic and Republican Party committees on behalf of individual congressional candidates. TERM 4 Focus group DEFINITION 4 A method of gauging public opinion by observing a small number of people brought together to discuss specific issues, usually under the guidance of a moderator. TERM 5 Independent spending DEFINITION 5 Campaign spendingby a person or organization for or against a political candidatethat is not controlled by or coordinated with any candidates campaign. TERM 6 Issue voting DEFINITION 6 Voting for candidates based on their positions on specific issues, as opposed to their party or personal characteristics. TERM 7 Message DEFINITION 7 In a political campaign, the central thematic statement of why voters ought to prefer one candidate over others. TERM 8 Mobilization DEFINITION 8 Also known as "getting out the vote." It occurs when activists working for parties, candidates, or interest groups ask members of the electorate to vote. TERM 9 Negative campaigning DEFINITION 9 The act of attacking an opposing candidates platform, past political performance, or personal characteristics. TERM 10 Open seat DEFINITION 10 A seat in a state or district being contested by candidates, none of whom none currently holds the office. Occurs when the incumbent dies or does not run for reelection.