Ap Government Chapter 9 And Chapter 10 Vocabulary

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501(c) Groups

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Groups that are exempted from reporting their contributions and can recieve unlimited contributions. Section 501c of the tax code specifies that such groups cannot spend more than half their funds on political activities.

- IRS designation

- Tax exempt

- Don't have to disclose donors

- Primary purpose cannot be political

- 1/2 of their spending must be educational/charitable (social welfare issues)

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527 Groups

Back 2

Independent political groups that are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates. Section 527 of the tax code specifies that contributions to such groups must be reported to the IRS.

- IRS designation

- Primary Purpose is political, but are not associated with a party or candidate

- Tax exempt and donations/spending is unlimited

- Must run issue ads neither advocating for/against a party or candidate

- Must disclose their donors

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Coattails (Political)

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

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Critical or Realigning Periods

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Periods during which a sharp, lasting shift occurs in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties. The issues that separate the two parties change, so the kinds of voters supporting each party change.

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Direct Mail

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A method of raising money for a political cause or candidate, in which information and requests for money are sent to people whose names appear on list of those who have supported similar views or candidates in the past.

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Electoral Coalition

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

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Electoral Realignment

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The situation when a new issue of upmost importance to voters cuts across exisiting party divisions and replaces old issues that formed the basis of party identification.

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Federal Election Campaign Act

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A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission, provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions.

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Federal Election Commission

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A six-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974. The FEC administers and enforces campaign finance laws.

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Frontloading

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The recent tendency of states to hold primaries early in the calendar in order to capitalize on media attention.

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General Election

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

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Hard Money

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Political contributions given to a party, candidate, or interest group that are limited in amount and fully disclosed. Raising such limited funds is harder than raising unlimited funds, hence the term "hard" money.

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Incumbent

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The person currently in office. The opposite is the challenger.

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McGovern-Fraser Commission

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A commission formed at the 1968 Democratic convention in response to demands for reform by minority groups and other who sought better representation.

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Negative Ad

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Media advertising meant to cast an unfavorable light on an opponent. (attack ad)

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Nomination

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The official endorsement of a candidate for office by a political party. Generally, success in the nomination game requires momentum, money, and media attention.

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Party Platform

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A political party's statement of its goals and policies for the next four years.

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Political Action Committee

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

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Presidential Election Campaign Fund

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A federal law providing funds to candidates seeking the presidency. In primaries, matching funds are available only after eligibility requirements are fulfilled. In the general election, the federal government gives candidates of major parties the option of complete financing.

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Presidential Primary

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

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Primary Election

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

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Soft Money

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Political contributions earmarked for party-building expenses at the grass-roots level or for generic party advertising. Unlike money that goes to the campaign of a particular candidate, such party donations are not subject to contribution limits. For a time, such contributions were limited, until they were banned by the McCain-Feingold Act.

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Spots

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Short ads on behalf of a candidate on television. Such ads may convey a substantial amount of information.

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Straight-ticket Voting

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Voting for candidates who are all of the same party; for example, voting for the Republican candidates for senator, representative, and president.

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Super PACs

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A Super PAC is a political action committee that is allowed to raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals and associations. Some nonprofit groups are allowed to contribute to Super PACs without disclosing where their money came from. Super PACs cannot have direct contact with the candidate.

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Civic Duty

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The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should vote.

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Electoral College

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A unique American institution, created by the Constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors. Although the Electoral College vote usually reflects the popular majority, less populated states are overrepresented and the winner-take-all rule concentrates campaigns on close states. Number of electoral votes each state gets is based on number of representatives and senators. Need 270 to win.

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Initiative

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A process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state law to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions.

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Motor Voter Act

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A 1993 act that requires states to permit people to register to vote they apply for their driver's license.

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Political Efficacy

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A belief that you can take part and understand the political system (internal) and that government will respond to the citizenry (external).

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Recall

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A procedure that allows voters to call a special election for a specific official in an attempt to throw him or her out of office before the end or term. Recalls are permitted in only 17 states, seldom used and rarely successful.

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Referendum

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A state level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment.

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Suffrage

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The legal right to vote.

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Voter Registration

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A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register prior to voting. Some states require as much as 30 days in advance, whereas others permit Election Day registration.

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Buckley V. Valeo

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1st Amendment protects campaign spending; legislatures can limit contributions, but not how much one spends of his/her own money on campaigns.

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Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

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Also known as McCain-Feingold, this federal law placed limitations on soft-money contributions by political committees and prohibited corporations and labor unions from advocating for or against a candidate

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Peaceful Transfer of Power

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No matter who wins we have a peaceful transfer from the old president to the new president. The ride together to the inauguration and will get along no matter who wins. No Fighting

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Political Spin

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Putting a positive light on your candidate and putting a negative light on the other candidates.

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Baker V. Carr

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- Equal Population

* Equal Protection Clause

- "Every district has to have about the same population due to one district one represents."1

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Independent Expenditure

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Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor unions that is done to help a party or candidate but is done independently of them.

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Electioneering

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Direct group involvement in the electoral process. Groups can help fund campaigns, provide testimony, and get members to work for candidates, and some form Political Action Committees (PACs).