State & Local Govt Vocab 2

at large

an electoral unit where all citizens in a county can vote

closed primary

an election in which only voters registered with a party may vote for the party’s candidates

disenfranchise

deprive individuals of the right to vote

early voting

voters are able to cast a ballot in Texas two weeks before Election Day

Fifteenth Amendment

the 1870 amendment to the US Constitution, which prohibited the denial of voting rights upon the basis of race

“get out the vote”

incumbent

microtargeting

motor voter laws

a statute mandating that state governments provide voter registration opportunities to individuals applying for or renewing their driver’s license

name identification

negative campaigning

open primary

an election in which any registered voter can vote for a party’s candidates

political action committees (PACs)

political eficacy

the belief that your participation can influence the political system

political socialization

the process in which individuals acquire political values and behaviors that have a strong influence on future voting behavior

poll tax

an unconstitutional tax that required those desiring to register to vote to pay a fee

primary election

an election in which each party selects its nominees for office

public opinion polling

register

runoff election

an election where, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the two top vote getters run again

single-member district

an electoral unit that elects only one member of a political body, such as a legislature, and through which smaller communities can gain representation on that bod

special election

an election contest held as needed to fill vacancies created by death, resignation, or removal from office

split ticket voting

choosing candidates from different parties for different offices

super PACs

Voting Rights Act

a landmark piece of federal legislation that outlawed racial discrimination in voting

straight ticket voting

checking one box to vote for every candidate a specific party has on the ballot