Chapter 17 Test: Voting

When did the founding fathers make the first election day?

The first Tuesday after the first Monday of every November

Electoral college

the people who count the vote, 538 members of the electoral college.

How many votes are needed to win the presidential election?

270 to win

1970

the first time an election law dealing with campaign alliance, aka FECA

What is FECA?

Federal Elections Campaign Act: set rules and guidelines for raising and spending money on campaigns. Candidates have to disclose their campaign spending.

Why is voting a fundamental right?

- After the American Rev., there were many regulations placed on voting.

- Property requirement, certain religion to vote in some states.

- Early 1800s: Universal White Male Suffrage

15th Amendment

- Gave African Americans the right to vote

- The right to vote cannot be denied by race.

- Many Southern states put in roadblocks to voting

- State laws that made it difficult for African Americans to vote

Poll Tax

A tax you had to pay to vote, show receipts for every poll tax that you've paid.

Literacy Test

A test that included reading and writing skills that would give someone the right to vote.

Grandfather Clauses

If your grandfather was able to vote before 1867, you are exempt from the poll tax and literacy tests.

1964: 24th Amendment is passed

The 24th Amendment got rid of poll taxes.

1965: Voting Rights Act

Got rid of racial discrimination, allowed the national government to go into states and help people register to vote.

Women's Suffrage

- Some states in the West allowed women to vote.

- After WWI, people began to realize that women were also functioning members of society.

- 19th Amendment grants women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

- Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

- Created during the Vietnam War era.

- If 18 year olds can be drafted into a war, they should be able to vote for the politicians that sent them there.

Thins that influence the way people vote

- Background: age, education, religion, race, and ethnicity, does not always predict who a voter will vote for.

- Level of loyalty to their political party.

- Issues in a Campaign: policies, taxes, immigration, role of government, healthcare, environment.

- Candidate's Image: people want to vote for people who appear trustworthy, who appear to have leadership qualities.

- Propaganda: using ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion, is biased.

Cross-Pressured Voters

They have factors in their background that are conflicting that makes it hard for them to decide who to vote for.

E.g: A big business owner who is African American.

Strong Party Voter

- Someone who is registered with the party.

- Every election, they will always vote for the candidates from their party.

Weak Party Voter

Voters who do not always vote for candidates from their registered party.

ex: a registered Republican votes for the Democratic candidate.

Independent Voters

People who are not registered with a party.

Primary Elections

Elections held to determine which candidates will run in an upcoming general election.

Profile of a Regular Voter

- Someone who always votes.

- Age, income level, education level.

- The higher your education level, the more likely you are to vote.

- Higher levels of income, more likely to vote.

Age: middle aged people tend to vote more.

Voter Apathy

lack of interest in voting.