|ELECTIONSHOW DO AMERICAN ELECTIONS WORK?
E Present the major rules and procedures of American elections. Pages 193–200
SUMMARY
Elections in America generally have two steps. Primary
elections select each party’s nominees, and general elec-
tions determine who wins the offi ce. Some of the rules for
presidential elections diff er from those for other elections;
notably, the electoral college system determines the winner
of the general election.
KEY TERMS
incumbent (p. 193)
open primary (p. 194)
closed primary (p. 194)
general election (p. 194)
plurality voting (p. 195)
majority voting (p. 195)
runoff election (p. 195)
primary (p. 196)
caucus (p. 196)
proportional allocation (p. 196)
winner-take-all (p. 196)
electoral college (p. 198)
STUDY GUIDE
PRACTICE QUIZ QUESTIONS- Runoff elections only occur in states that use
__.
a) majority voting
b) primary elections
c) plurality voting
d) absentee ballots
e) proportional allocation - The winner-take-all method of allocating most states’
electoral votes results in candidates focusing on
__ states and __ states.
a) low-population; safe
b) high-population; safe
c) low-population; swing
d) high-population; swing
e) safe; swing
S PRACTICE ONLINE
“Big Think” video exercise: Abolish the Electoral College?PRACTICE ONLINE with WWNORTON.COM/STUDYSPACE
Diagnostic Quiz & Key Term Flashcards for This Chapter
224 CHAPTER 7
ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS
E Describe the features and strategies of campaigns for federal offi ce. Pages 200–210
SUMMARY
Party organizations and candidates begin preparing for the
next election the day after the last election ends. They focus
on fund-raising and determining which races are likely to
be competitive. Incumbents work throughout the election
cycle to maintain their good standing among the voters and
to secure their re-election bids. During a campaign, candi-
dates work hard, particularly through the use of advertise-
ments, to increase their name recognition and mobilize
their supporters.
KEY TERMS
election cycle (p. 200)
open seat (p. 202)
permanent campaign (p. 202)
GOTV (“get out the vote”) (p. 203)