Unit 5 - Political Participation

14th Amendment

Gives all born in the United States citizenship

15th Amendment

Gives the right to vote to all regardless of race. Women still cannot vote.

17th Amendment

Establishes the direct vote for senators

19th Amendment

Provides the right to vote to women.

23rd Amendment

Gives 3 electoral votes to Washington, DC.

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on one's perceived interest

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on what the candidate did during their term.

Example: My candidate increased jobs, therefore I will vote for them.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on what you think a candidate will do.

Straight Ticket Voting

Voting entirely for the candidates of one party.

Linkage Institution

an institution that links people to government. where citizens make their voices heard

• media

• elections

• interest groups

  • political parties

Political Parties

Groups of like-minded individuals who work to influence election outcomes and legislative problems.

Interest Groups

groups organized around supporting a single interest (group of people).

Example: AARP (old people)

Elections

when people vote for their representatives and people in governement

Third Parties

people who are outside of the two main political parties. show dissent in the two parties

Winner Take All System

an electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins all the electoral votes or delegates in a contest. This system often discourages third-party candidates.

Proportional System

System used in some European countries. Seats are distributed according to the percentage of votes.

Free Riders

People who gain from a party without being a member

Single Issue Groups

groups that are focused on a single issue

Incumbency Advantage

Voters generally vote for the same candidate.

˜90% of congresspeople are re-elected

Open Primary

Voters can pick from either party's ballot

Closed Primary

You can only vote in your registered party’s primary.