Voting & Voter Behavior

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to voting and voter behavior, including amendments, legislation, voter turnout, demographics, voting models, and policies affecting voter participation.

15th Amendment

Prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote

23rd Amendment

Gives residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18 years

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination on the basis of race

Voting Rights Act of 1965

A landmark piece of federal legislation that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot

Voter Apathy

lack of interest among voters in participating in elections

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's actions can affect political outcomes

Rational-Choice Model

voting model where individuals make decisions based on what they perceive as the best outcome for themselfs and society

Retrospective Voting

Making decisions based on the past performance of candidates or parties.

Prospective Voting

based on the anticipated future policies and actions of candidates.

Party-Line Voting

exclusively for candidates of one’s own party

National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

1993 law that requires states to offer voter registration opportunities same time as obtaining driver's license.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

2002 federal law intended to improve the administration of elections in the United States.

Voter IDs

Identification required to vote, which can impact voter participation.

Civil Rights Act 1957

legislation aimed at increasing voter registration among African Americans and addressing racial discrimination in voting practices.

White Primarys

primary election in which only white voters were allowed to participate,

17th amendment

established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

24th amendment

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections

Striaght Ticket Voting 

voting practice where a voter selects candidates from the same political party for all offices on the ballot.

Stuctural Barriers

Obstacles in the voting process that hinder participation

Voter fraud

illegal act of voting by someone who is ineligible or the manipulation of ballot

Voter Supression 

strategies to discourse or prevent some people from voting 

Most Likley voters

Middle aged or older, Religous, higher education, wealthy

Men 

Republican 

Women

Democratic

Blacks

Democratic

White 

Republican 

Hispanics

Democratoic

younger

Democratic

Older 

Republican 

Asians

Was republican but more democratic

Australian Ballot

a form of secret ballot in which votes are cast in private on uniform ballots.