AP GOV Unit 5 Test

15^th Amendment

This provision stated that the right of citizens to vote may not be denied on account of race or color.

17^th Amendment

This provision changed the method of election for U.S.  senators from state legislators to a popular vote. 

19^th Amendment:

This provision granted women’s suffrage.

 24^th amendment:

This provision eliminated the poll tax. 

26^th amendment:

This provision lowered the voting age to 18

Prospective Voting:

Voting for a candidate based on campaign promises and a  belief that he or she will bring about positive change. 

Retrospective Voting:

Voting for a candidate based on the approval of his or her  past actions in office. 

Rational Choice Voting:

Voting for a candidate based on an individual’s best  interests, weighing the pros and cons of alternative options. 

Party-Line Voting:  

Voting for a candidate based on party loyalty.

Voter Turnout:

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

Compulsory Voting:

Requirement that all eligible citizens vote in elections. 

Linkage Institutions:

The means through which people's concerns and  interests become political issues on the government's policy agenda. For example:  political parties, interest groups, media, and elections.  

 Political Party:

A group of like-minded citizens who organize to win elections,  hold office, and determine public policy. 

 Party Platform:

A political party's statement of its beliefs, goals, and policy aims  for the next four years.

Party Convention:

A meeting of party delegates every four years, where a  party’s candidate is officially nominated and the platform is adopted.

Critical Election:

An election in which new issues emerge and voters shift party  loyalty.

 Direct Primary:

Elections that take place from January to June of an election  year for the purpose of selecting each party’s candidate for the general election. 

Open Primary:

Elections in which registered party members and non-members  can vote to select a presidential candidate. 

Closed Primary:

Elections in which only registered party members can vote. 

Caucus:

A meeting of party members to select delegates that will back a  particular primary candidate. 

General Election:

Elections held to determine which candidate will hold public  office.

Mid-term Election:

Elections that take place every other year during which  there is no presidential contest.

 Incumbency Advantage:

The benefit a current office holder has going into an  election, due to factors such as name recognition and campaign finance.  

Electorate:

The people who are entitled to vote in an election. 

 Electoral College:

The group of 538 individuals who ultimately elect the  President of the United States every four years.

 Winner-Take-All System:  

An electoral system in which all votes are given to  the candidate who comes in first in their constituency. 

Proportional System:

An electoral system that awards votes to a candidate as a  percentage of the number of votes won in an election. 

 Political Action Committee (PAC):

A committee set up by a corporation, labor  union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money. 

 Super PACs:

Citizens United v. FEC paved the way for these organizations, which  are allowed to raise an unlimited amount of funds as long as they do not coordinate  directly with candidates. 

 Hard Money:

Funding given directly to a candidate. 

Soft Money:

Funding given to political parties for party activities, as opposed to  funding directed towards a specific candidate.

Interest Group-

An organization of people sharing a common concern or goal  that seeks to influence public policy. 

Ideological Interest Group:

Political organizations that appeal to members  based on a coherent set of political convictions or interests. 

Free Rider:

An individual who does not join a group representing his or her  interests yet receives the benefit of the group's influence. 

Lobbyist-

Individuals who provide information and pressure legislators to pass  laws that align with a particular agenda. 

Grassroots support-

A tactic of influencing government officials that involves utilizing large groups of members or the public to make phone calls, send letters,  sign petitions, etc. 

Mass Media-

Popular means of communication to reach a wide audience, such  as television, radio, and the Internet. 

Sound Bite-

A short radio or video clip lasting approximately 8-10 seconds. 

Horse-race Journalism-

News coverage that focuses on who is ahead in the  polls rather than the issues. 

Gatekeeper:

The role of the media that can influence what subjects become  national political issues and for how long.

What is "hard money" in campaign finance?

. Contributions made directly to a candidate

Which of the following best describes "soft money"?

. Contributions to political parties for party-building purposes

What did the Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) decision establish?

Political spending by corporations as protected speech under the First Amendment

What is the maximum amount a PAC can contribute directly to a candidate?

 $5,000

Which statement about super PACs is correct?

They can receive donations from unions and corporations

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) NOT do?

Allow unlimited corporate contributions to candidates

Independent expenditures are defined as:

Money spent independently to support a candidate

What is the official name for super PACs?

Independent-expenditure-only committee

Which entities are prohibited from giving directly to PACs?

Independent-expenditure-only committee

Which entities are prohibited from giving directly to PACs?

Corporations and unions

What aspect of campaign finance was upheld by the Citizens United decision?

"Stand by your ad" provision

What is the key difference between PACs and super PACs regarding candidate contributions?

Only PACs can give directly to candidates

The primary purpose of a Political Action Committee is to:

Raise money to support a candidate or cause

After Citizens United, corporations can:

Spend unlimited money independent of campaigns

The "stand by your ad" provision requires:

Candidates to approve their campaign messages

 Campaign finance regulations primarily address:

Free speech and election integrity

Which statement about PACs is FALSE?

They can accept corporate donations

Super PACs are restricted in:

Direct contributions to candidates

The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act aimed to:

Reduce negative campaign advertising

Under current law, corporations and unions can:

Donate unlimited amounts to super PACs

Campaign finance regulations distinguish between:

Spending and contributions

What did the BCRA ban within 60 days of a general election?

Corporate and union independent political spending

How many days before a primary election did the BCRA restrict political spending by corporations?

 30 days

What kind of contributions did the BCRA prohibit from corporations and unions?

 Direct contributions to campaigns or political parties

What constitutional question was at the center of Citizens United v. FEC?

Can the political speech of corporations and unions be banned?

Which of the following was an issue in the case?

 Corporate direct contributions to candidates

What did the Supreme Court rule about corporate funding of independent political expenditures?

 It cannot be limited

What did the Court decide about direct corporate contributions to candidates?

The BCRA’s ban was upheld

What did the ruling directly lead to?

Super PACs

Which type of political fundraising did the Court strike down limits on?

 Soft money

What change occurred in terms of political ads due to the ruling?

Time limits on when ads could run were removed

Which constitutional clause was central to the Court’s decision?

Free Speech Clause

What was the Court’s view of corporate political speech?

It is protected under the First Amendment

According to the decision, what do corporations and unions have the right to do?

 Engage in political speech

Which two core democratic values were in tension in this case?

Free speech and electoral integrity

Supporters of the decision argue it protects what?

Free speech

Critics argue that the decision undermines what?

 Electoral integrity

What new type of political committee emerged after the ruling?

Super PACs

What distinguishes independent expenditures from direct contributions?

They aren’t coordinated with candidates

What media effect followed the decision?

Surge in political advertising

Which of the following best summarizes the ruling’s legacy?

 Increased role of money and speech in politics