AP Government Unit 2 notecard quiz.

For my note card quiz on 10/9/25.

15th Amendment

Gave African American men the right to vote; ended racial discrimination in voting and expanded democracy in the U.S.

17th Amendment

Allowed people to directly elect U.S. senators instead of state legislatures choosing them; made government more democratic.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote; expanded voting rights and equality in elections.

23rd Amendment

Gave Washington, D.C. residents the right to vote for president with 3 electoral votes.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes in federal elections so more poor and minority citizens could vote.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 during the Vietnam War; “old enough to fight, old enough to vote.¨

Amicus Curiae Brief

A document written by someone not in a case but who wants to share information or opinions to help the court make a decision.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002)

A law that limited “soft money” donations and required candidates to say “I approve this message” in their ads.

Campaign Contributions

Money donated to candidates or political parties to help pay for campaigns and ads; regulated by federal law.

Candidate-Centered Campaigns

Campaigns that focus on the person running instead of their political party; candidates often build their own image and funding.

Caucus

A local meeting where party members choose delegates or candidates; less formal than a primary election.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Supreme Court case that said corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on political ads; led to the rise of Super PACs.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote for that party’s candidates.

Coalition

A group of people or organizations that join together to support a common cause or candidate.

Dealignment

When voters stop identifying strongly with political parties and become more independent.

Electoral College

A system that officially elects the president; each state’s votes are based on its population

Electorate

All the people in a country who are allowed to vote in elections.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

Government agency that enforces campaign finance laws and monitors donations to political campaigns.

Free Rider

Someone who benefits from an interest group’s actions without joining or contributing money.

Gatekeeper

The media’s role in deciding which stories or issues get public attention.

Horse Race Journalism

News coverage that focuses on who’s ahead or behind in an election instead of real issues.

Incumbency Advantage

The benefit that current officeholders have in elections due to name recognition

Interest Groups

Organizations that try to influence government policies or laws to help a specific cause or group.

Linkage Institution

Systems that connect people to the government

Litigation

Using the courts to change laws or challenge government actions; often used by interest groups like the NAACP.

Lobbying

Trying to influence lawmakers to support or oppose certain policies; lobbyists often meet with members of Congress.

Mass Mobilization (Grassroots Lobbying)

When citizens are encouraged to contact government officials or protest to support a cause.

National Party Convention

A large meeting held every four years where each party selects its presidential nominee and writes its platform.

Open Primary

A primary election where any voter can choose to vote in either party’s primary.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A group that collects and donates money to help candidates or causes that support their interests.

Political Efficacy

The belief that your actions or vote can make a difference in government.

Political Parties

Organizations that bring people together with shared ideas to run candidates for office and influence government.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on what you think a candidate will do in the future if elected.

Rational-Choice Voting

Voting for the candidate who best supports your personal interests after comparing policies.

Realignment

A big, lasting change in which political party most people support, often during a major event or crisis.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on how well a candidate or party has performed in the past.

Single-Member District

A voting system where one person represents each district; used for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Soft Money

Money given to political parties for general purposes and not directly to candidates; now mostly banned.

Split-Ticket Voting

Choosing candidates from different parties on the same ballot.

Stand By Your Ad

A rule that makes candidates say “I approve this message” in their campaign ads.

Straight-Ticket Voting

Voting for all candidates from the same political party on your ballot.

Structural Barriers

Laws or rules that make it harder for some people to vote (like voter ID laws or registration deadlines).

Super PAC

Independent groups that can raise and spend unlimited money to support or oppose candidates but can’t donate directly to them.

Swing States

States that could be won by either major party in presidential elections; often decide the result.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A law that banned literacy tests and protected the voting rights of African Americans and minorities.

Winner-Take-All

A system where the candidate with the most votes wins everything; used in most states for the Electoral College.