AP GOPO Midterm Study Guide

Suffrage

The legal right to vote.

Rational Choice Voting

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

Retrospective Voting

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

Party-line Voting

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices at the same level of government.

Structural Barriers

Obstacles like voter ID laws and location of polling places that hinder voter turnout.

Federalism and Registration

The division of authority in voter registration, managed by states, demonstrating federalism.

Political Efficacy

A citizen’s belief that their vote matters and can influence the government.

Linkage Institution

A structure that connects the people to the government, such as political parties and interest groups.

Candidate-Centered Campaigns

Campaigns where candidates build their own followings and rely less on party hierarchy.

Critical Election

An electoral earthquake where new issues emerge and new coalitions replace old ones.

Winner-Take-All System

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins, creating barriers for third parties.

Proportional System

A system where legislative seats are awarded to a party in proportion to the number of votes won.

Lobbying

Persuading public officials to support a specific policy.

Incumbency Advantage

The benefit of already being in office that increases chances of re-election.

Electoral College

A compromise for electing the President through electors based on popular vote.

BCRA (2002)

Legislation aimed to ban "soft money" and restrict political ads close to elections.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

A Supreme Court decision that allowed unlimited spending by corporations and unions on independent political broadcasts.