Unit 5: Political Participation

electorate

voters; voting population

15th Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

23rd Amendment

“Extending the Vote to the District of Columbia”
electors to the District of Columbia may participate in presidential elections

24th Amendment

prohibits both Congress and the states from conditioning the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or other types of tax

26th Amendment

established a nationally standardized minimum age of 18 for participation in state and local elections

Political efficacy

belief that one’s vote makes a difference; inverse to voter apathy

Rational choice voting

voter carefully considered issue and votes to benefit themselves; selfish voting

Retrospective voting

considering track records and achievements

Prospective voting

anticipating the future and potential outcomes

Party line voting

voting based on party

Franchise

right to vote granted by a government or to an individual or group of individuals

Suffrage

the right to vote in political elections

Enfranchisement

granting populations the right to vote

Divided government

control of Presidency and Congress split between parties

Unified government

control of Presidency and Congress under one party

War chest (fundraising)

bank account for a candidate’s campaigning

Swing states

states that “swing” Democrat or Republican

Incumbency Advantage

people already in power have an advantage with funds, name recognition, and ultimately re-election

Roles of the media

Scorekeeper, gatekeeper, watchdog

Narrowcasting

targeting specific audiences with tailored media content

Fairness doctrine

required broadcast media must provide fair coverage of all candidates on TV and provide a variety of ideologies, opinions, and stories