Dual Government Midterm Review 2

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Which of the following groups vote most democratic?

 African Americans.

 When parents have a coherent political ideology their children will?

Inherent the parents party.

 Which group has higher voter turnout?

College graduate.

Socioeconomic status and voting have which relationship?

Higher SES (Socioeconomic Status) is more active.

When 18-20 year olds were given the right to vote which occurred?

Had lower turnout than the rest of electorate.

Taking into account all elections most Americans?

 Do not vote.

 Split ticket voting is?

Voting for candidates of different parties on same ballot.

Voter turnout in the US?

 Is lower than most western countries.

 What is a referendum?

Determine whether citizens support action by state legislature.

Low efficacy is?

 Believing your vote has no effect on an election.

The term for passing on your political values to the next generation?

 Political Socialization

 A winner take all single member district plurality system results in?

The candidate who receives most votes wins.

PACs are most likely to contribute to?

 Incumbents of both major parties.

 Which influences a voter most in POTUS elections?

Party Identification.

PACs rep which group have increased most since 1970s?

Business.

BCRA did which of the following?

Banned soft money donations to the parties.

Which of the following statements about incumbent senators is true?

Senators are less likely to be reelected than house members.

Which influences an election the most?

 Incumbency status.

Critical elections are most closely associated with?

Party realignment.

What is Front Loading?

Putting important decisions or actions early in a process to have more influence.

 What is The National Party Convention?

A large meeting where a political party officially chooses its presidential candidate and sets its platform (policies and goals) for the election.

What is a Lame Duck Amendment?

the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which shortened the time outgoing officials stay in power after an election.

What is the most common form of political activity?

Election voting.

Least common political activity?

Giving money to a candidate.

Buckley v. Valeo was over?

Upholding hard $ limits - 1k.

What is the number one political socialization agent?

Family.

Which demographic has historically faced barriers to voting due to disenfranchisement?

African Americans.

Why do African Americans tend to support more liberal candidates?

Economic policies and civil rights history.

Which group is most likely to be an “active” voter?

Older, higher-income citizens.

Why was youth turnout low in 1972 after gaining voting rights?

Lack of interest and political experience.

What percentage of eligible voters typically vote in presidential elections?

About 55–60%.

What percentage of eligible voters typically vote in midterm elections?

About 40%

Why do men and women now vote in roughly equal proportions?

Equal legal rights and increased political engagement.

How do primary voters differ from general election voters?

Primaries attract more politically active and ideological voters.

Why is voter turnout lower in the U.S. than in other democracies?

Complicated registration process and fewer incentives

What is the effect of split-ticket voting?

Voters choose candidates from different parties for different offices.

What is the significance of a referendum?

It allows voters to directly decide policy issues.

Why do PACs often give money to incumbents?

Incumbents are more likely to win and already hold power.

What is a consequence of a single-member, winner-take-all system?

Leads to a two-party system.

What is the most common form of political participation?

Voting.

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002) do?

Banned soft money contributions to parties.

What is incumbency advantage?

Incumbents have name recognition and easier reelection.

What is the main difference between a political party and an interest group?

Parties nominate candidates; interest groups influence policy.

What is front loading?

Scheduling primaries early to gain influence.

What are critical elections and realignments?

Long-term shifts in party support.

What is the difference between plurality and majority?

Plurality = most votes, Majority = over 50%

What is the difference between hard money and soft money?

Hard money is regulated donations; soft money is unregulated party money.

What is the difference between Buckley v. Valeo and Citizens United v. FEC?

Buckley limited spending; Citizens United expanded independent spending.

What is the significance of Super PACs?

They can raise unlimited money for independent political spending.