Dealignment
When voters no longer identify with one of the two major parties and become independent voters.
Political socialization
The process by which an individual develops his or her political beliefs.
Party polarization
When political parties move farther away from each other ideologically and also move farther from the center.
Gender Gap
The tendency of men to support the Republican party at greater rates than women.
Demographic
The statistical characteristics of a population.
Political culture
The shared political values of a society.
Realignment
The process through which voters leave one party coalition and join the other party’s coalition.
Random sample
a subsection of a population chosen to participate in a survey in which every member of the whole population has an equal chance of being chosen.
Divided government
When the President is from one political party and one or both houses of Congress are controlled by the opposing party.
Rational Choice voting
Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen’s individual interest.
Retrospective voting
Voting to decide whether a party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past.
Prospective voting
Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.
Party line voting
Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public ofices across the ballot.
Political eficacy- .
An individual’s belief that his or her political participation can make a dierence.
Caucus
Face to face meetings of party members at the local or state level to determine their party’s candidate for ofice.
General election
An election to select the person who will hold ofice.
Incumbent-
An oficeholder who is running for re-election.
Single-member districts
The electoral system used to select members of the House of Representatives. Also known as winner take all.
Closed primary
A vote by party members to determine their party’s candidate for ofice which is restricted to registered party members.
Open primary
An election to determine a party’s candidate for ofice in which the party allows non-party members to vote.
Horse race journalism
The tendency of the media to focus on which candidate is ahead in the polls rather than focusing on the issues.
Midterm election
An election in which voters elect members of Congress but not the President.
