AP gov unit 5

Fifteenth amendment

Extended suffrage to African American men

Seventeenth amendment

Established the popular election of US Senators by the people

Nineteenth amendment

Extended suffrage to women

Twenty - Fourth amendment

Abolished poll taxes in federal elections

Twenty - Sixth amendment

Extended suffrage to people 18-20 and Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that made it easier for African Americans to vote and Broke down barriers such as the poll tax and literacy tests

National Voter Registration Act of 1993

(Motor Voter Act) Made it easier for people to register to vote by being able to register when applying / renewing their driver's license

Rational - Choice Voting

voting on what is in the citizen's best interest

Retrospective Voting

voting based on a candidate's past

Prospective Voting

voting based on a candidate's future performance

Party - Line Voting

supporting a party by voting for all members of the political party

Voter Turnout

Number of registered voters that vote in an election

Compulsory Voting

Laws that require a citizen to register and vote in elections

Political Efficacy

Belief that your vote matters and can influence policy and the Belief that our actions have an influence over the government

Presidential Elections .

Election for the President and Vice President; Occurs every four years

Midterm Elections

Elections for Congress that Occurs during the middle of a President's term

Demographics

Characteristics of a population; Information is used to study the population

Political Party

An organization of people with the same ideologies

Linkage Institutions

Informal organization that Connects the people to the government and Can influence the political agenda

Campaign Finance

Funds raised to support various political positions ( ie . candidates , political party , etc. ); Regulated / limited by laws

Candidate Centered Campaigns

Campaigns revolving around a candidate and their personality and political agenda rather than their party

Critical Election

Election leads to a major party realignment; Supporters of one party may switch to another

Direct Primary

Process of voters choosing a candidate to represent their party in the Presidential election

Dealignment

an individual loses interest or loyalty to their political party and Does not realign w / another party ; become independent

Realignment

an individual switches voter preference from one political party to another

Political Action Committee (PAC)

Organization representing an interest group of corporation that Raises money in support of their interest

Super PAC

"independent expenditure - only committee"; Can raise unlimited funds for a candidate or / party but Cannot interact with those that funds are donated to

Third Party/Minor party

Parties that are not the major parties : Republican & Democratic; Rarely win election But tend to have an influence by drawing attention to specific issues

Independent Candidate

Candidate for office with no formal affiliation to a party

Proportional System

Political parties earn legislative seats proportional to the number of votes they receive during an election

Two - Party System

Two major parties dominate voting at all levels

Winner - Take - All System

Legislative seats are awarded to the party that received the most votes during an election

Free Rider Problem

An individual uses a service of receives benefits without making a personal contribution ( money or time ); Individual assumes other will pay for that service

Interest Groups

Formal of informal Group of people w / the same interests attempting to influence policy

Iron Triangle

Relationship between congressional committees , federal bureaucracy , and interest groups

Iron Network

Group of people , interest groups , and public official that rally around a specific issue / subject that they intend to support

Lobbying

Seeking to influence a politician on a specific issue

Direct Lobbying

Seeking to influence a politician on a specific issue by directly talking to bureaucrats or elected officials

Protest Movement

public demonstrations or direct actions that raise awareness and bring attention to an issue

Social Movement

Groups that bring about and influence change in society (ie . Civil Rights Movement)

Inside Strategies

Interest groups attempt to influence policy by working inside Washington D.C.

Outside Strategies

Interest groups attempt to influence policy by working outside Washington D.C

Single - Issue Groups

Interest group devoted to a singular , specific issue

Closed Primary

Primary election limited to registered party voters

Open Primary

Primary election not limited to registered party voters

Caucus

Meeting of members of a political party to choose nominees for political office

Electoral College

Electors chosen by the states to formally vote in the Presidential election; Electors vote based on the results of their state elections

Incumbent

Official who already holds office; At an advantage due to experience , staff , and media exposure

General Election

Election to decide which candidates will hold office

Popular Vote

Total or % of votes won by each candidate

Primary Election

Election to determine which candidate a party will send to the General Election; Candidates compete against other candidates from their party

Presidential Election

Candidates run for President and Vice President; Occurs every four years

Midterm Election

Elections for Congress; Occurs during the middle of a President's term

Campaign Finance

Fundraising to support a candidate during their campaign (Campaign costs have increased since 1970)

Political Consultants

Advisers to candidates that helps promote the election of a candidate

Citizens United v . Federal Elections Commission ( 2010 )

Supreme Court case that ruled that political spending is a form of free speech; Protected by the first amendment

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act ( 2002 )

Includes McCain - Feingold Act that Banned soft money & reduced attack ads (Stand by Your Ad Provision)

Stand by Your Ad Provision

Ads in support or opposition of a candidate were required to include : " I'm [ candidate's name ] and I approve this message. "

Soft Money

Money Money spent on a campaign rather than directly donating (ie Paying for ads)

Horse Race Journalism

Focuses on reporting who is winning the polls or ahead in the election rather than actual policy agendas or candidate information

Investigative Journalism

Deep investigation into a specific subject over a long period of time ; can reveal / expose a secret