18 concepts the spec wants you to use precisely, drawn from the Panther database. Read them, then test yourself.
In test mode, tap a concept to reveal its definition.
The concepts
Campaign finance(tap to reveal)- The money raised and spent to support political candidates and parties during election campaigns.
McCain-Feingold Act(tap to reveal)- A 2002 campaign finance law restricting soft money and setting contribution limits, though some provisions were later struck down.
Primary elections(tap to reveal)- Elections held before general elections to select party candidates for public office, allowing voters to choose their party's nominee.
527 groups(tap to reveal)- Tax-exempt organizations named after IRC Section 527 that can raise unlimited funds for political activities but cannot coordinate with campaigns.
Buckley v Valeo(tap to reveal)- A 1976 Supreme Court decision striking down campaign spending limits as unconstitutional but upholding contribution limits.
Swing states(tap to reveal)- States where neither major party has a decisive advantage, making them crucial to presidential campaign strategy and electoral outcomes.
Third parties(tap to reveal)- Political parties other than the two major parties that rarely win elections but can influence outcomes and shift political debate.
Blanket primary(tap to reveal)- A primary where voters can vote for candidates from multiple parties for different offices on the same ballot.
Caucuses(tap to reveal)- Party meetings where voters discuss and select delegates to nominate candidates, involving more active participation than primaries.
Closed primary(tap to reveal)- A primary where only registered party members can vote, restricting participation to those who have formally declared party affiliation.
Coalition of supporters(tap to reveal)- The diverse groups whose combined votes form the electoral base for a political party or candidate.
Electoral college(tap to reveal)- The indirect system used to elect the US President, where voters in each state choose electors who then formally elect the President.
Factions (US)(tap to reveal)- The different ideological wings within the two main US parties, for example progressives and moderates within the Democratic Party.
Faithless electors(tap to reveal)- Electors who vote for a different candidate than pledged, though rare, raising questions about the electoral college system.
Interest groups(tap to reveal)- Organizations representing the interests of particular constituencies that seek to influence government policy through lobbying and advocacy.
Invisible primary(tap to reveal)- The period before formal primaries begin where candidates try to raise money, build media profiles, and secure endorsements.
Iron triangle(tap to reveal)- A policy network consisting of executive agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups that exercise mutual influence over policy.
National conventions(tap to reveal)- Party gatherings where delegates formally nominate the presidential candidate and adopt the party platform for the general election.