Year 11 Politics and Law - US Congressional Elections (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on US Congressional Elections.

Fill in the Blank: The process of drawing electoral district boundaries to advantage one political party is called __.

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor a particular party, often resulting in oddly shaped districts.

Mirror Representation

The concept that the demographics of elected representatives should reflect the demographics of the population.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Two-Party System

A political system dominated by two major parties, with third parties having limited impact on seats under plurality voting.

Voter Suppression

Policies or practices that reduce participation of eligible voters (e.g., strict ID laws, purges, polling place closures).

Midterm Turnout Pattern

Voter turnout is typically lower in midterm elections than in presidential elections; spikes can occur due to mobilization or contentious issues (e.g., 2018).

Purple America

Counties or voters with mixed political views (not solidly red or blue); reflects a non-uniform political landscape.

Diversity in Congress (Race/Ethnicity)

As of 2024, 26% of members identify as not white; the 119th Congress has the most racial and ethnic diversity in history.

Racial/Ethnic Categories in Congress

Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), Native American and Alaska Native, and Multiracial.

White Representation Gap

White Americans make up a larger share of Congress than the U.S. population.

Women in Congress (House vs Senate)

In the 119th Congress, the House is 29% women and the Senate is 25% women.

Generational Mix in the 119th Congress

Members come from Silent, Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z generations.

Redistricting Actors

Who draws congressional districts? State legislatures, political appointees, commissions (state or independent), or a combination depending on the state.

Gerrymandering Project’s Report Card

A grading system for redistricting maps: A = Good; B = Better than average with some bias; C = Average; D/F = Poor; Insufficient Data.

North Carolina Gerrymandering Outcomes (2018–2022)

Electoral results show misalignment between votes and seats: e.g., 2018: 50% R/48% D with 10R-3D seats; 2020: 8R-5D; 2022: 7R-7D.