UNIT 5 AP US GOVERNMENT

Electioneering

active participation in a political campaign, often through advertising, rallies, or public statements supporting a candidate. Its importance lies in shaping voter perceptions and mobilizing supporters to influence electoral outcomes.

Dark Advertising

refers to targeted political ads shown only to specific online users, often without public visibility. This impacts elections by allowing campaigns to micro-target messages, sometimes reducing transparency and accountability.

Grass Roots

political activities driven by ordinary citizens at the local level rather than party elites. Their importance lies in generating authentic public pressure that can influence policymakers and election results.

Horse Race Coverage

journalism that focuses on who is winning or losing in a campaign rather than policy issues. This impacts voters by emphasizing strategy over substance, sometimes reducing informed decision-making.

Interest Group

an organization that advocates for specific policy goals and represents the concerns of particular groups. They are important because they influence legislation, mobilize voters, and provide expertise to policymakers.

Linkage Institutions

structures—such as political parties, elections, media, and interest groups—that connect citizens to the government. They are crucial for maintaining democratic accountability and facilitating political participation.

Litigation

the use of the court system to achieve political or policy goals. It matters because it allows groups to challenge laws, set precedents, and protect rights when legislative routes fail.

Lobbying

the attempt to influence policymakers through direct communication and advocacy. It is important because it shapes legislation by providing information, expertise, and pressure from organized groups.

Party Platform

a formal statement of a political party’s beliefs, goals, and policy positions. It guides voters and candidates by outlining what the party stands for and how it plans to govern.

Retrospective Voting

occurs when voters make decisions based on a politician’s or party’s past performance. It is significant because it holds elected officials accountable for their actions in office.

Party-Line Voting

happens when voters choose candidates solely based on their political party. This strengthens party unity but can increase polarization and reduce independent judgment.

Rational-Choice Voting

when individuals vote based on what best serves their personal interests. It is important because it assumes voters make logical decisions that maximize personal benefit.

Prospective Voting

when voters choose candidates based on future policy promises and expected performance. It impacts elections by encouraging voters to think about long-term goals and potential outcomes.

Soundbite

a short, memorable clip of speech used in media coverage. Its importance lies in shaping public perception by oversimplifying complex issues.

Narrowcasting

refers to media targeting specific audiences rather than the general public. This increases personalized communication but can contribute to polarization and echo chambers.

Party Polarization

growing ideological distance between political parties. It is impactful because it leads to gridlock and reduces bipartisan cooperation.

Super PAC

A Super PAC is an independent political committee that can raise unlimited funds to support or oppose candidates, though it cannot coordinate directly with campaigns. It matters because it greatly increases the influence of wealthy donors on elections.

Swing State

a state where either major political party has a realistic chance of winning. Its importance lies in determining election outcomes, especially in the Electoral College.

Hard Money

political donations that are regulated and directly contributed to a candidate’s campaign. Its importance is that it is transparent and subject to legal limits, reducing corruption risk.

National Voter Registration Act

makes voter registration easier, such as through DMVs and mail-in forms. It increased voter participation by lowering barriers to registration.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

outlawed discriminatory voting practices such as literacy tests. It is important because it dramatically expanded voting rights for minority citizens.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

organization that raises money to support candidates or causes. PACs matter because they allow interest groups to financially influence elections.

Political Efficacy

a citizen’s belief that they can understand and influence politics. It is important because higher efficacy increases voter participation and civic engagement.

Political Ideology

a set of beliefs about the role of government and public policy. It shapes how citizens vote and how parties form policy platforms.

Political Party

an organization that seeks to win elections and influence government policy. Parties are important because they organize political competition and help citizens identify with political choices.

Revolving Door

the movement of officials between government positions and lobbying jobs. It impacts politics by raising concerns about conflicts of interest and undue influence.

Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002

limited soft money and regulated political advertising. Its importance lies in attempting to reduce corruption and increase transparency in campaign finance.

Buckley v. Valeo

Buckley v. Valeo was a Supreme Court case that ruled limits on campaign spending violate free speech but upheld contribution limits. It reshaped campaign finance by allowing greater independent spending.

Candidate-Centered Politics

focuses on individual candidates rather than political parties. This impacts elections by increasing the importance of personality, media presence, and fundraising.

Citizens United v. FEC

ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited money on independent political ads. Its impact was the rise of Super PACs and massive growth in outside political spending.

Closed Primary

allows only registered party members to vote in a party’s nomination. Its importance is that it strengthens party control over the candidate selection process.

Electoral College

the system used to elect the U.S. president through state electors rather than direct popular vote. It is important because it makes some states more influential and can result in outcomes that differ from the popular vote.

Federal Election Commission

an independent agency that enforces campaign finance laws. It is important because it oversees transparency and regulates political money.

Mid-term Election

occurs halfway through a president’s term. These elections are important because they often shift congressional power and serve as a referendum on the president.

Open Primary

allows any registered voter to participate in a party’s primary regardless of party affiliation. This can increase voter turnout but may weaken party unity.

Soft Money

unregulated contributions to political parties for “party-building” activities rather than specific candidates. It was important because it allowed large sums of money to influence politics until it was restricted by the BCRA.