FRQ Prep APGov

15th Amendment

gave right to vote to all men regardless of race

19th Amendment

gave women the right to vote

26th Amendment

gave right to vote to all citizens over 18

Connect voter turnout to motor voter laws

Allowed citizens to become eligible to vote with their drivers license allowing millions of new voters to join the polls

Connect voter turnout to photo ID Laws

Enforces that voter must bring some kind of government-issued identification with them to voting which can suppress some voters

How does Education affect voter turnout?

Individuals who have higher levels of education consistently voting at higher rates, people with a high-school diploma or lower have about 50-30% voter turnout while people with college degrees are 70-90%.

How does Age affect voter turnout?

Older people are more likely to vote because they have more time and the resources to be able to vote while younger people are busy and may not have the materials necessary to vote.

How is voter turnout in presidential vs midterm elections?

Presidential:

65% voter turnout for all voters, all demographics vote and media coverage is everywhere, early voting usually happens for states

How is voter turnout in presidential vs midterm elections?

Midterm:

50% voter turnout for midterm elections, mostly old white men, limited media covverage, same-day voting is common

What is voter turnout like in primary elections vs general elections?

Primary:

27% registered voters turnout, lower levels of public awareness

What is voter turnout like in primary elections vs general elections?

General:

60% registered voters turnout, perceived as more significant or the “main event”

Block Grant

A large grant given to a state by the federal government with only general spending guidelines.

Categorical Grant

Grants that appropriate federal funds to states for a specific purpose.

Why do state governments usually prefer a ____ type of grant?

States prefer block grants over categorical grants because there is more flexibility on what it can be used for

Federalist

They supported the new Constitution and a stronger central government.

Anti-Federalist

They opposed the new Constitution, fearing that a strong central government would threaten individual rights and state sovereignty.

What are some features of the original Constitution that have led to a growth in the power of the national government?

Ability to tax, ability to regulate interstate commerce

Clauses

Supremacy clause (ty mr shannon)

National government reigns supreme over all

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic clause)

Enact laws for exercising enumerated powers

Implied powers

Gave the government space to add more laws and create new powers

Full faith and Credit clause

States must honor laws and proceedings of other states

Ex: If you are legally married you are married all over the country

Drivers license

First Amendment

It ensures that Congress cannot make laws that infringe on Americans’ rights to freedoms and that the government can’t force any laws onto the people like the British did.

10th Amendment

Ensures that state and local governments retain authority over matters like running elections, creating marriage laws, and regulating schools, which are not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution

Due process clause

Guaranteed by 5th amendment

Action by state, not federal, government caused damages

Federal government not at fault for state actions

Equal protection clause

“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”

Citizens United v. FEC

Supreme Court ruling that enable corporations and unions to have the same political speech rights as individuals under the first amendment

As part of this ruling, the Supreme Court found that the government may not prohibit corporations or unions from using their general treasury funds to support or denounce political candidates in elections

Elite Model of Democracy -

Disturbance Theory:

Argument that interest groups form in response to changes in the political system

Pluralist Model of Democracy -

Pluralist Theory:

Argument that political power is divided among a wide range of competing interest groups, Competition is good, the end result is more groups being formed!

Participatory Model of Democracy -

Transactions Theory:

Argument that public policy results from transactions among political players, Policies are actually the result of narrowly defined exchanges or transactions among political actors, Elite classes have more time and money available to mobilize into interest groups