AP GOV Unit 5

1st amendment

protects freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and petition, essential for political participation, campaign funding, and lobbying

15th amendment

prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of service

17th amendment

established direct election of US senators by popular vote instead of being chosen by state legislatures

19th amendment

granted women the right to vote

24th amendment

prohibited poll taxes in federal elections

rational choice voting

when voters make decisions based on their own best interests

retrospective voting

voters make choices based on a candidate’s or party’s past performance

prospective voting

voters choose candidates cased on what they promise to do in the future

party-line voting

voters consistently support candidates from one political party

voter demographics

age - older voters tend to participate more, while young voters have lower turnout, or education - higher levels of education correlated with increased political participation

linkage institutions

organizations that connect citizens to the government

political parties

organizations that seek to influence government by electing members to office

third-party issues

struggle due to Winner-Take-All system but influence major parties by bringing attention to new issues

interest groups

organizations that seek to influence public policy

lobbying

efforts by interest groups to persuade policymakers

PACs (Political Action Committees)

organizations that raise and distribute campaign funds

Super PACs

groups that can raise unlimited funds for campaigns but cannot coordinate directly with candidates

party platforms

a political party’s official stance on various issues

comapign committees

groups that support candidates’ election efforts

voter mobilization

efforts to encourage voter turnout

incumbency advantage

the electoral edge enjoyed by current officeholders, often due to name recognition and fundraising ability

closed primary election

only registered party members can vote

open primary election

any registered voter can participate, regardless of party affiliation

caucus

meeting where party members discuss and vote for candidates

party convention

event where parties officially nominate their presidential candidate

candidate vs political power

candidates increasingly have more influence due to media and personal fundraising, but parties will provide structure and resources

general elections

elections where voters choose officeholders

midterm elections

elections held halfway through a presidential term, often shifting power in Congress

referenda

process where voters approve or reject laws directly

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)

aimed to reduce soft money in campagins

Citizens United vs FEC

SC case that ruled political spending by corporations and unions is protected speech under the 1A, leading to the rise of Super PACs

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

regulated campaign finance laws

role of media in campagins

provides info, shapes public opinion, and influences elections

social media influence in campaigns

platform for campaign outreach, voter mobilization, and political discourse