Unit 5 Political Participation

How did the 15th Amendment expand opportunities for political participation?

- right to vote for all men; states cannot discriminate based off race
- all men could vote; therefore, colored men could participate in politics (but they were prevented that methods such as literacy tests)

How did the 17th Amendment expand opportunities for political participation?

- power to directly elect a state's Senators
- no longer chosen by state legislatures -> the people have a say

How did the 19th Amendment expand opportunities for political participation?

- women's suffrage
- women could participate in politics

How did the 24th Amendment expand opportunities for political participation?

- prohibits the state and federal governments from charging a poll tax
- cannot prevent the poor from participating in politics

How did the 26th Amendment expand opportunities for political participation?

- lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
- expanded the number of people who could vote

How did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 expand opportunities for political participation?

- effort to secure the voting rights of African-Americans by protecting their rights to register and vote
- African-Americans could participate in politics

How did the Motor Voter Law expand opportunities for political participation?

- aka National Voter Registration Act of 1993
- allows Americans to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's licenses
- easier for Americans with disabilities to register
- online registration increases turnout because it is easier and less costly

Describe Rational-Choice Voting and provide an example.

- voting based on what a citizen believes is in his/her best interest
- want to achieve their goals

Describe Retrospective Voting and provide an example.

- voting based on an assessment of an incumbent's past performance
- interest groups issue "congressional scorecards" to keep members up with voting records of Congress

Describe Prospective Voting and provide an example.

- casting a ballot for a candidate who promises to enact policies favored by the voter in the future
- "Make America Great Again"

Describe Party-Line Voting and provide an example.

- voting for candidates who belong only to one political party for all of the offices on the ballot
- straight-ticket voting
- people of certain parties typically support the same causes

Define Demographics.

measurable characteristics of a population, such as economic status, education, age, race or ethnicity, and gender

Define Political Efficacy.

a person's belief that he/she can make effective political change

Define Electorate.

the people eligible to vote

How does Party Identification influence voter choice in an election?

- single-ticket voting
- those with a party affiliation are more likely to vote than those without one

How do Candidate Characteristics influence voter choice in an election?

- ex: Obama effect
- ex: women voting for Hillary Clinton
- candidates with a positive image

How do Demographic Characteristics influence voter choice in an election?

- higher socioeconomic status = more likely to get involved with interest groups and campaigns
- voting for a candidate with similar background as you

Define Linkage Institution. List the 4 linkage institutions.

channels that connect individuals with government, including elections, political parties, interest groups, and the media
- elections
- political parties
- interest groups
- the media