Key U.S. Political Amendments, Court Cases, and Election Terms

15th Amendment

No denial of vote based on race.

26th Amendment

Lowered voting age to 18.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes.

Amicus Curiae

"Friend of the court" brief; lets interest groups give input in cases.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

Corporations/unions can spend unlimited $ on independent political ads (free speech).

PACs

Political Action Committees; raise/spend money for candidates.

Generational Effects

Political views shaped by major events in your youth (e.g., 9/11, COVID).

Life Cycle Effects

Politics shift with age/stage (young = liberal, older = conservative).

Electoral College

State-based electors pick president. Complaints: not direct, swing states too powerful, can win popular vote & lose.

Linkage Institutions

Connect people to gov (parties, media, elections, interest groups).

Free Rider Problem

People benefit from groups w/o joining/paying.

Horse Race Journalism

Media covers elections like sports (polls, who's winning).

Partisan

Strong loyalty to one party.

BCRA (2002)

Limited "soft money," regulated campaign ads (later weakened by Citizens United).