Voting, Elections, Media Lecture Notes

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on Voting, Elections, and Media.

What are the five factors influencing voter participation?

Education, Age, Race, Income, Party Competitiveness.

What amendment granted women the right to vote?

The 19th Amendment.

What is Rational Choice Voting?

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest.

What does absentee voting refer to?

Casting a ballot in advance by mail.

What is the Electoral College?

A system where each state gets a number of electors based on its congressional representation, totaling 538 electors.

What is a runoff election?

A follow-up election where no candidate wins the majority.

What term describes voting based on predictions of future performance of a candidate or party?

Prospective Voting.

What does the term 'voter fatigue' mean?

Voters grow tired of all the candidates or issues.

What is the significance of the 15th Amendment?

It granted African American men the right to vote.

Define 'party loyalty' in the context of voting behavior.

A major influence on voting where voters tend to support candidates from their affiliated political party.

What is 'horse race media'?

Coverage that focuses on polling results and the popularity of candidates rather than their policies.

Why do small states retain importance in the Electoral College?

Due to the winner-take-all allocation of votes per state, which can amplify their impact on election outcomes.

What is the impact of social media on political information acquisition?

It reinforces existing beliefs, creating echo chambers and leading to political polarization.

What is the difference between open and closed primaries?

Open primaries allow any registered voter to participate, whereas closed primaries restrict participation to registered party members.

What is retrospective voting?

Voting based on the past performance of the currently elected party or candidate.

What is meant by 'linkage institutions'?

Entities that allow individuals to communicate with and influence policy makers, such as political parties, interest groups, media, and elections.

What is one benefit of campaign communication via social media?

It allows for more direct engagement and fundraising from potential voters.

What does 'midterm elections' refer to?

Elections held near the midpoint of a president's term, including all House seats and one-third of the Senate.