Key Terms
Political party
Group of people with similar interests who seek to influence policy by winning elections Precinct: lowest party organiza
PARTY PLATFORM
The document adopted at each presidential nominating convention that lays out the party's positions on major issues. Gui
Spoils system
Rewarding political supporters with government jobs after a victory. Political machines operated on this system.
Political machine
An organization that secured votes for a party in exchange for government jobs and favors.
Personal politics
Democratic strategy of building direct voter relationships rather than focusing on specific issues.
Every third party has followed the same arc
1. Formed by a charismatic leader around a narrow set of causes 2.
Plurality voting
The candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority (50%+1).
MAJORITARIAN VOTING
Candidate must win 50%+1; a run-off is held if no one reaches majority in the first round. Some state primaries use this
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION
Seats are allocated based on share of total votes received. A party with 7% of the vote gets 7% of the seats.
Party realignment
A shifting of party allegiances within the electorate; voters switch which party they support, often permanently.
Critical election
An election that represents a sudden, clear, and long-term shift in voter allegiances. The 1932 election (FDR) is the te
Sorting
Voters shifting party allegiance in response to shifts in party positions Spoils system: rewarding political supporters
Party identifiers
Voters who publicly represent themselves as members of a party; more likely to donate and attend party events.
Precinct
Lowest level of party organization; neighborhood-level.
County organization
The workhorse of the party system. Responsibilities: