AP U.S. Government Unit 2: Key Terms and Concepts

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering Core American Values, Political Socialization, Political Ideology, Public Opinion, and Voting Behavior from AP U.S. Government Unit 2.

Absentee ballot

A ballot completed and submitted by a voter who is unable or prefers not to vote in person at an official polling place on Election Day.

Australian ballot

A government-printed ballot of uniform dimensions cast in secret, listing the names of all official candidates to prevent voter intimidation and fraud.

Bandwagon effect

A shift in voter support toward a candidate or policy because they are perceived to be ahead in the polls or gaining momentum.

Benchmark Poll

An initial survey taken at the beginning of a political campaign to establish baseline data regarding a candidate's name recognition, public image, and electoral support.

Civil Rights Act of 1957

Federal legislation establishing the Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to investigate voter disenfranchisement.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Landmark federal legislation outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and federally assisted programs.

Conservative/conservatism

A political ideology emphasizing limited government intervention in the economy, traditional social values, individual liberty, and a strong national defense.

Electorate

The entire body of citizens entitled to vote in a given election.

Entrance Poll

A survey conducted with voters immediately before they enter a polling place or caucus location to determine their preferences and motivations.

Equality of opportunity

The core American value that every individual should have an equal chance to succeed in life without structural barriers, distinct from equal outcomes.

Exit poll

A survey administered to voters immediately after leaving a polling station to project election outcomes and evaluate voting patterns.

Franchise

The legal and constitutional right to vote in political elections.

Free enterprise

An economic system grounded in private property, market competition, and minimal government intervention in business decisions.

Gender gap

The measurable difference in political perspectives, policy preferences, and voting behavior between men and women.

Generational Effects

The impact of major historical, economic, or social events on the political values and views of a specific age cohort that came of age during that period.

Globalization

The increasing worldwide integration of economies, cultures, policies, and communication across international borders.

Grandfather clause

A statutory provision used in Southern states exempting individuals from literacy tests or poll taxes if their ancestors had the right to vote prior to 1867, disenfranchising Black citizens.

Ideology

A comprehensive set of beliefs, values, and philosophies regarding the role, purpose, and scope of government and society.

Individualism

A core American value emphasizing personal independence, self-reliance, and individual rights over collective control.

Liberal/liberalism

A political ideology favoring government action to address economic inequality, protect civil rights, and provide social safety nets, while defending individual personal freedoms.

Libertarian/libertarianism

A political philosophy advocating for minimal government involvement in both economic affairs and individual private social choices.

Lifecycle Effects

The predictable shifts in an individual's political attitudes and priorities as they transition through different stages of life, such as aging, parenting, or retiring.

Limited Government

A foundational constitutional principle stating that government power is restricted by law to preserve individual liberties and prevent tyranny.

Literacy tests

Discriminatory reading and civics examinations historically required as a prerequisite for voting in Southern states to disenfranchise Black voters.

Majoritarian

A system or approach to governance based on the principle that the preferences of the majority of citizens should determine public policy.

Midterm election

A general election for congressional seats that occurs halfway through a president's four-year term.

Moderate

An individual whose political beliefs fall between liberal and conservative viewpoints, often endorsing a mix of policies from both sides.

Motor Voter Act

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, requiring states to allow eligible citizens to register to vote when applying for or renewing a driver's license.

Non-response bias

A polling error that occurs when individuals who choose not to participate or cannot be reached hold significantly different views than those who do respond.

Party-line voting

The practice of supporting every candidate running under a single political party's banner across an entire election ballot.

Political culture

The collective, widely shared set of fundamental beliefs, values, and norms regarding how a government and society should operate.

Political efficacy

A citizen's belief in their ability to understand and participate in politics and that their actions can influence government policy.

Political Ideology

A structured and coherent system of values and beliefs concerning the appropriate scope, functions, and goals of government.

Political socialization (agents of)

The lifelong process and institutions—such as family, school, peer groups, and the media—through which individuals form their political values and beliefs.

Poll tax

A fixed monetary fee required as a condition to register or cast a ballot, historically used in the South to disenfranchise low-income voters.

Poll weighting (stratification)

A statistical process in which survey responses are mathematically adjusted to ensure that demographic groups accurately match the broader target population.

Populist/Populism

A political approach presenting itself as the voice of ordinary citizens in opposition to established political and economic elites.

Prospective voting

Voting based on an evaluation of how a candidate or political party promises to handle issues and govern in the future.

Provisional ballot

A ballot cast by a voter whose eligibility is uncertain at the polling place, counted only after election officials verify the voter's qualification.

Public opinion

The distribution of the population's collective attitudes, values, and preferences regarding politics, candidates, and policy issues.

Public opinion poll

A systematic, scientific method of questioning a representative sample of individuals to measure overall public views on an issue or candidate.

Public policy

A course of intentional action, legislation, or regulation adopted by government entities to address a specific societal problem or public concern.

Push polling

A deceptive campaign technique disguised as an objective poll that uses loaded or biased questions to manipulate respondent opinions against an opponent.

Random sample

A sampling method in which every member of the target population has an equal mathematical probability of being selected.

Rational-choice voting

Voting behavior in which an individual objectively assesses candidate platforms and votes for the option that maximizes their own personal self-interest.

Representative Sample (Universe)

A small group selected for a poll whose demographic and ideological traits accurately mirror the characteristics of the entire population under study.

Retrospective voting

Voting behavior guided by an assessment of an incumbent official's or party's past performance and results while in office.

Rule of law

The principle that all people, institutions, and government officials are accountable to clear, publicly enacted laws that are applied equally and fairly.

Sampling error (Margin of error)

The statistical measure of the predicted variance between the results of a sample poll and the true opinions of the entire population.

Social desirability bias

The tendency of survey respondents to provide answers that align with perceived social norms or expectations rather than their genuine beliefs.

Structural barriers to voting

Legal regulations and logistical hurdles—such as strict voter ID laws, voter registration requirements, and limited polling hours—that make participating in elections more difficult.

Suffrage

The legal and constitutional right to vote.

Ticket-splitting

Voting for candidates from different political parties for multiple offices on the same election ballot.

Tracking Poll

A poll conducted repeatedly over a continuous period with the same questions to identify and trace shifts in public opinion or candidate support over time.

Valence issues

Policy issues on which the broad public shares a general goal or consensus (e.g., low crime, economic prosperity), with debate focusing on which leader will achieve it best.

Voter apathy

A lack of interest, engagement, or concern regarding political candidates, elections, and public policy outcomes among citizens.

Voter registration

A state-mandated requirement that eligible citizens formally enroll on an official voter roll before participating in an election.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voting-age or registered citizens who actually cast ballots in an election.

Voting blocs (who votes & who votes for whom)

Identifiable demographic groups (defined by age, race, religion, gender, or income) that exhibit distinct, consistent patterns of voter participation and party choice.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Federal legislation aimed at overcoming racial voter disenfranchisement by banning literacy tests and establishing federal oversight over voting procedures in designated areas.

Wedge issues

Contentious, polarizing political topics used intentionally by candidates or parties to divide an opposing coalition or motivate their own base.

15th Amendment

Constitutional amendment prohibiting the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

17th Amendment

Constitutional amendment establishing the direct popular election of United States Senators by the voters of each state.

19th Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote by prohibiting vote denial on the basis of sex.

23rd Amendment

Constitutional amendment granting residents of Washington, D.C., the right to vote in presidential elections by allocating electors to the District.

24th Amendment

Constitutional amendment abolishing poll taxes in federal elections, eliminating a financial barrier to voting.

26th Amendment

Constitutional amendment lowering the mandatory minimum voting age across the United States from 21 to 18 years old.