CHAPTER 5 Political Parties Two-Party System Left-Center-Right   

CHAPTER 5 Political Parties Political Parties – a group of persons who seek to control Two-Party System – two major parties that dominate an election (ex: republican and democrat) Left-Center-Right – a political spectrum, where the left side is the more radical and literal views, in the center is the moderate views, and to the right is conservative and reactionary views.

CHAPTER 6 Voters and Voter Behavior Suffrage Disenfranchisement Off-year Elections Straight-ticket Voting Split-ticket Voting  

CHAPTER 6 Voters and Voter Behavior Suffrage – The right to vote Disenfranchisement – Denied the right to vote Off-year elections – Congressional election that occurs between presidential election years.

CHAPTER 6 Voters and Voter Behavior Straight-ticket Voting – The practice of voting for candidates of only one party in an election. Split-ticket Voting – Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices at the same election.

CHAPTER 7 The Electoral Process Nomination Ballot Absentee Voting Political Action Committees General Election Direct Primary Closed Primary     

CHAPTER 7 The Electoral Process Nomination – The process of candidate selection in an electoral system Ballot – The device voters use to register a choice in an election Absentee Voting – Provisions made for those unable to get to their regular polling places on Election Day

CHAPTER 7 The Electoral Process Political Action Committees – The political extension of special-interest groups which have a major stake in public policy. General Election – The regularly scheduled election at which voters make a final selection of officeholders.

CHAPTER 7 The Electoral Process Direct Primary – An election held within a party to pick that party’s candidates for the general election. Closed Primary – A party nominating election in which only declared party members can vote.

CHAPTERS 8 & 9 Mass Media, Public Opinion & Interest Groups Public Agenda Mass Media Interest Group Public Opinion Poll  

CHAPTERS 8 & 9 Mass Media, Public Opinion & Interest Groups Public Opinion – The complex collection of the opinions of many different people; the sum of all their views. Public Agenda – The public issues on which the people’s attention is focused.

CHAPTERS 8 & 9 Mass Media, Public Opinion & Interest Groups Mass Media – Those means of communication that reach large audiences, especially television, radio, printed publications, and the internet. Interest Group – Private organizations whose members share certain views and work to shape public policy. Public Opinion Poll – device that attempt to collect information by asking people questions.