Elections, Voting, & Voter Behavior

Voting Amendments

Constitutional amendments that expand or protect voting rights (15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th).

Models of citizens voting

Ways people decide how to vote: rational-choice, retrospective, prospective, and party-line 

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast ballots

Voting criteria (who is in charge)

States set most voting rules (registration, ID, polling) but the constitution limits discrimination

Political Efficacy

A person belief they understand politics and that their participation matters

Swing states 

States where elections can go either way, so candidates focus heavily on them 

Voter ID laws

Laws requiring voters to show identification at the polls