AP US Government and Politics cram review

What is an election?

The process people use to select leaders.

What is a campaign?

What candidates do to get elected.

What is legitimacy in government?

Support from the people that gives leaders authority to rule.

Why are elections important in a democracy?

They give citizens a voice and create legitimacy.

Why do dictators hold elections?

To show (or appear to show) public support.

How do elections organize government?

By selecting officials.

What does it mean to choose priorities in elections?

Citizens decide what issues government should focus on.

What is a mandate?

Authority to rule given by voters.

Who determines voting rules?

The states.

What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

Voting rights regardless of race.

What does the 19th Amendment guarantee?

Voting rights regardless of gender.

What does the 24th Amendment ban?

Poll taxes.

What does the 26th Amendment do?

Sets voting age to 18.

Who is the electorate?

People eligible to vote.

How does education affect voting?

More education = more likely to vote.

How does income affect voting?

Higher income = more likely to vote.

What is a racial trend in voting?

White voters are overrepresented.

How can turnout be increased?

Easier voting, longer hours, fewer restrictions.

What is absentee voting?

Voting without being physically present.

What is political efficacy?

Belief your vote matters.

Who can vote in NC?

U.S. citizens.

What is the voting age in NC?

18 (or 17 in primaries if turning 18 by general election).

Residency requirement in NC?

30 days.

Who cannot vote in NC?

People currently in jail for a felony.

What is Motor Voter?

Registering to vote when getting a driver’s license.

Do you have to choose a party?

No.

When are polling hours?

6:30 AM – 7:30 PM.

What information is needed to vote?

Name, address, signature, photo ID.

What is a provisional ballot?

Used if eligibility is uncertain; counted later if valid.

What is an absentee ballot?

Ballot for voters not present on Election Day.

What is a referendum?

Voting on an issue.

What is a ballot initiative?

Citizens petition to put an issue on the ballot.

What is a recall election?

Vote to remove an official.

What is an incumbent?

Current officeholder.

Why do incumbents have an advantage?

Money, staff, visibility, name recognition.

What is the franking privilege?

Free mail for members of Congress.

What does a campaign manager do?

Focuses on winning strategy.

What does a finance chair do?

Manages campaign money.

What do volunteers do?

Support campaign without pay.

What is hard money?

Direct donations to candidates.

What is soft money?

Money given to organizations, not candidates.

What is a PAC?

Group that raises money to elect candidates.

What did Buckley v. Valeo (1976) decide?

Candidates can spend their own money.

What did Citizens United v. FEC (2010) decide?

Corporations can spend money on political speech.

What is free media?

News coverage without paying.

What is paid media?

Campaign ads.

What is an attack ad?

Ad criticizing an opponent.

What is a primary?

Election to choose party nominee.

Closed vs open primary?

Closed = party members only; Open = anyone can vote.

What is a caucus?

Party meeting to choose candidate.

When is Election Day?

Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

What is straight-ticket voting?

Voting all for one party.

What is split-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates from different parties.

How many electoral votes are there?

538.

How many are needed to win?

270

How are electoral votes determined?

Representatives + 2 senators.

What is winner-take-all?

State winner gets all electoral votes.

What is the coattail effect?

Popular candidates help others win.

What is realignment?

Major shift in party support

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing districts unfairly.

What is cracking?

Splitting groups to weaken them.

What is packing?

Concentrating voters in one district.

Political Ideology

A set of beliefs about how government and society should operate

Government and Society

The idea that government exists to oversee people and maintain order in society.

Political Spectrum

A range of political beliefs from left to right based on attitudes toward change and government power.

Left

Political views that support change and often favor a stronger government role.

Center (Moderate)

A mix of beliefs from both the left and right; typical middle-ground views.

Right

Political views that support tradition and often favor limited government.

Radical

Someone who supports extreme and immediate change.

Liberal

Supports moderate change and often favors larger government involvement.

Moderate

Holds mixed political beliefs from both sides.

Conservative

Supports the status quo and usually prefers limited government.

Reactionary

Supports returning to past policies or strongly preserving the status quo.

Political Party

An organized group of people with similar political ideologies who work to influence government and policy.

Organization of Political Parties

Parties have leadership structures at the national, state, and local levels.

Platform

A document outlining a political party’s values and policy positions, created every 4 years at the national convention.

Plank

A specific policy or issue position within a party platform.

Push for Policies

Parties work to promote laws and policies that match their platform.

Offer Candidates

Political parties nominate people to run for public office.

Watchdog Role

Parties monitor the opposing party and criticize their actions.

Acquire Power

Parties try to win elections in order to gain power and pass policies.

Raise Money

Parties collect donations to support campaigns and party activities.

Two-Party System

A political system where two major parties dominate elections and government.

Majority

When a party holds more than half of the seats or votes.

Third Party

A political party outside the two major parties.

Single-Issue Party

A party focused on one specific issue.

Alternative Ideology Party

A party promoting ideas ignored by the major parties.

Candidate-Driven Party

A party formed mainly to support a specific candidate.

Winner-Take-All System

In most states, the candidate with the most votes wins all electoral votes.

Multi-Party System

A political system with several parties competing for power.

Plurality

Winning more votes than any other candidate, but not necessarily a majority.

Coalition

An alliance of parties working together to form a majority government.

Single-Party System

A system where one political party controls the government, often associated with communist states.

National Party Organization

Includes the national chair, national committee, and national convention.

State Party Organization

Includes state conventions and congressional district committees.

Local Party Organization

Includes city and county committees, precinct leaders, activists, volunteers, and voters.

Informal Groups

Groups within parties that unite members around a specific issue or purpose but are not part of the formal structure.

Constitution and Political Parties

The Constitution does not mention political parties.

George Washington’s View on Parties

In his Farewell Address, he warned that political parties could take power away from the people.

Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans

Early political parties that quickly formed after Washington left office, creating a regional divide.