Wilson Vocabulary Chapter 10

A variant of the open primary in which the voter receives a ballot that lists the candidates for nomination of all the parties, enabling the voter to vote for candidates of different parties. These have been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

A type of primary in which the voter must be a registered member of a political party to vote in that party's primary.

The tendency of lesser-known or weaker candidates to profit in an election by the presence of a more popular candidate on the ticket.

A base of committed partisans supporting an electoral candidate who also attracts swing votes.

The second election in a campaign (primary is first). It determines which party's nominee will win office.

The person currently in office.

Media advertising meant to cast an unfavorable light on an opponent.

A ballot, sometimes called the Massachusetts ballot, that lists all candidates by office to minimize a straight party ticket vote. It was an innovation championed by the Progressives.

A type of primary in which the voter can decide upon entering the voting booth in which party's primary to participate.

A ballot, sometimes called the Indiana ballot, that was government-printed and contained a list in columns of all candidates of each party. A voter could simply mark the top on one column to vote for every candidate in that column. It was replaced by the office-bloc ballot.

A committee, set up by an interest group representing a corporation, labor union, or other interest, to contribute financially to candidates and campaigns.

A campaign issue on which the rival parties or candidates take different positions in order to reach out for electoral support. It tends to divide the electorate.

A special kind of primary used to pick delegates to the presidential nominating conventions of the major parties.

The first election in a campaign; it determines a party's nominee for an office.

Voting on the basis of a person's view of candidates' positions on the issues.