527 organizations - Answers Organizations under section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code that raise
and spend money to advance political causes.
blanket primary - Answers A primary election in which each voter may vote for candidates from both
parties.
closed primary - Answers A primary election in which voting is limited to already registered party
members.
clothespin vote - Answers The vote cast by a person who does not like either candidate and so votes for
the less objectionable of the two, putting a clothespin over his or her nose to keep out the unpleasant
stench.
coattails - Answers The alleged tendency of candidates to win more votes in an election because of the
presence at the top of the ticket of a better-known candidate, such as the president.
general election - Answers An election held to choose which candidate will hold office.
gerrymandering - Answers Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts in bizarre or unusual shapes to
favor one party.
incumbent - Answers The person already holding an elective office.
independent expenditures - Answers Spending by political action committees, corporations, or labor
unions to help a party or candidate but done independently of them.
malapportionment - Answers Drawing the boundaries of legislative districts so that they are unequal in
population.
open primary - Answers A primary election in which voters may choose in which party to vote as they
enter the polling place.
political action committee - Answers A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest (PAC)
group that raises and spends campaign money from voluntary donations.
position issue - Answers An issue about which the public is divided and rival candidates or political
parties adopt different policy positions.
primary election - Answers An election held to choose candidates for office.
prospective voting - Answers Voting for a candidate because you favor his or her ideas for handling
issues.
retrospective voting - Answers Voting for a candidate because you like his or her past actions in office.