Final answer:
An individual who identifies with a particular political party and often represents themselves as a member is known as a party identifier. These individuals form a significant part of the party-in-the-electorate and may influence the success of the party-in-government.
Step-by-step explanation:
An individual who considers himself or herself a member of one party or the other and typically represents themselves as such publicly is referred to as a party identifier. This does not necessarily mean they hold formal membership in a political party, as party identification can be informal and often matters predominantly in the weeks leading up to an election. Party identifiers may participate in party events, contribute financially to party candidates, and are more likely to support the party's positions. They may also use party affiliation as a heuristic to guide their voting decisions, especially when detailed information about candidates or issues is scarce.
The concept of party-in-the-electorate refers to members of the voting public who consider themselves part of a political party and consistently prefer the candidates of that party over the others. Party identifiers are an integral part of the political landscape, as their support can contribute to the success of party platforms and the party-in-government, the collective of elected officials who represent the party in public offices and work to achieve their policy goals.