Glossary
Caucuses
A meeting of party members to choose candidates for an election, often involving discussions and votes.
Example:
In some states, voters attend a caucus where they publicly declare their support for a presidential candidate, rather than casting a secret ballot.
Congressional Primaries
Elections held within a state or district to select a political party's nominee for a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate.
Example:
Before running in the general election, a candidate for the U.S. Senate must first win their state's Congressional Primary against other party members.
Divided Government
A situation in which one political party controls the presidency while another party controls one or both houses of Congress.
Example:
When a Democratic president faces a Republican-controlled House of Representatives, it often leads to divided government and potential legislative gridlock.
Gerrymandering
The practice of redrawing electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage over another.
Example:
Critics argued that the oddly shaped 3rd congressional district was a clear case of gerrymandering, designed to pack opposing party voters into a single district.
House of Representatives
The lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, where all 435 seats are up for election every two years.
Example:
After the 2024 election, every single member of the House of Representatives will have faced re-election, potentially leading to a complete shift in party control.
Incumbency Advantage
The significant edge that those already holding political office (incumbents) have in congressional elections, making them more likely to win re-election.
Example:
A long-serving representative's high name recognition and established fundraising network are prime examples of the Incumbency Advantage at play.
Incumbents
Individuals who currently hold a political office and are running for re-election.
Example:
Senator Smith, having served three terms, is an incumbent seeking re-election, benefiting from her established reputation and campaign infrastructure.
Midterm Elections
General elections held in the middle of a presidential term, typically characterized by lower voter turnout and less media attention than presidential elections.
Example:
The 2022 Midterm Elections saw the Republican Party gain control of the House of Representatives, signaling a potential shift in the political landscape for the remainder of President Biden's term.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Organizations that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates, often favoring incumbents due to their higher likelihood of winning.
Example:
A pharmaceutical company's Political Action Committee might donate heavily to a senator who has consistently voted in favor of policies beneficial to the industry.
Presidential Primaries
Elections held across states to determine a political party's nominee for president.
Example:
The Iowa Presidential Primaries are often the first major test for candidates seeking their party's nomination for the White House.
Primaries
Elections held within a political party to select candidates for the general election.
Example:
Before the general election, candidates for governor must first win their party's primary election against other hopefuls from the same party.
Safe Seats
Electoral districts where one political party has such a strong majority of voters that its candidate is almost guaranteed to win, often a result of gerrymandering.
Example:
In a district where 70% of registered voters belong to one party, the congressional seat is considered a safe seat for that party, leading to less competitive general elections.
Senate
The upper chamber of the U.S. Congress, where only one-third of its 100 seats are contested every two years, making it a continuous body.
Example:
Even if one party sweeps the Senate elections in a given year, the other party will still retain a significant number of seats due to the staggered election cycle.