Elections - AP Gov

What is political participation?

Engagement of citizens in various ways, including voting, attending meetings, campaigning, and organizing movements.

What are linkage institutions?

Organizations or systems that connect citizens to the government, such as elections, political parties, and interest groups.

What is suffrage?

The right to vote.

What major amendments expanded voting rights in the U.S.?

Fifteenth Amendment (race), Nineteenth Amendment (gender), Twenty-Fourth Amendment (poll taxes), and Twenty-Sixth Amendment (voting age).

What factors influence voter turnout?

Perceived importance of elections, mobilization efforts, voter apathy, and distrust of government.

What is the role of elections in democracy?

Elections allow voters to choose representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

How does demographic diversity affect elections?

It influences who votes, who runs for office, and the representation of diverse interests in government.

What are the stages of presidential elections?

Exploration and announcement, primaries and caucuses, national party conventions, general election campaign, and Election Day.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution, which formally elects the President of the United States.

What is the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)?

A law that established campaign finance limits, required disclosure of donations, and set rules for PACs.

What was the outcome of Buckley v. Valeo (1976)?

The Court upheld limits on individual contributions but struck down limits on candidate self-financing as unconstitutional.

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) aim to address?

It aimed to close loopholes in campaign finance, particularly concerning 'soft money' and issue-ads.

What was the significance of Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

It ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited money on independent political expenditures, citing free speech rights.

What are 'Clean Elections'?

State-level systems where candidates use public funding instead of private donations to reduce corruption.

What is the difference between a closed primary and an open primary?

In a closed primary, only registered party members can vote; in an open primary, any voter can choose which party's primary to participate in.

What is the purpose of a caucus?

A local meeting where party members debate and choose delegates to support a candidate.

What is the purpose of a general election?

To choose who wins the office itself, as opposed to selecting party nominees.

What are coattails in politics?

When a popular candidate helps other candidates from the same party win lower-level races.

What does the term 'popular sovereignty' mean?

The idea that political power comes from the people and that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

What is the role of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

An independent agency that enforces federal campaign finance law.

How has campaign financing changed in modern elections?

Campaigns are longer, more expensive, and often rely on large sums from individuals, PACs, and corporations, raising concerns about influence and equity.

What is voter apathy?

A lack of interest or concern among voters, often leading to lower turnout.

What is grassroots mobilizing?

A less conventional form of political participation where citizens organize at the local level to advocate for issues or candidates.

What is the significance of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment?

It eliminated poll taxes as a requirement for voting in federal elections.

What is the impact of campaign finance on political candidates?

It can favor wealthier candidates and shift power to interest groups, affecting the political landscape.

What are PACs?

Political Action Committees that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates.

What does the McCain-Feingold Act (2002) prohibit?

It bans soft money to parties and restricts certain political ads close to elections.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in McConnell v. FEC (2003)?

It upheld most of the McCain-Feingold Act, which was later weakened by Citizens United.

What is hard money in political campaigns?

Direct, regulated, limited donations to a candidate's campaign.

Define soft money.

Unregulated money given to parties or groups for 'party-building' rather than to a specific candidate.

What is the role of interest groups in politics?

Organizations that try to influence public policy through lobbying, litigation, and mobilization.

What does the term 'incumbent' refer to?

A current officeholder running for re-election.

What are negative ads or mudslinging?

Campaign advertising that attacks an opponent's character or record.

What is gerrymandering?

Drawing electoral districts to benefit a political party.

What is the efficiency gap?

A measure of wasted votes used to detect partisan gerrymandering.

Define political efficacy.

A person's belief that their vote or political participation matters.

What is rational choice voting?

Voting based on what benefits the voter most.

What is prospective voting?

Voting based on what a candidate promises to do in the future.

What is retrospective voting?

Voting based on a candidate's or party's past performance.

What is split-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates from different parties on the same ballot.

What is straight-ticket voting?

Voting only for candidates of one party.

What is a valence issue?

An issue where most people agree on the goal; candidates try to appear more competent.

What are critical elections?

Elections that cause a major shift in party coalitions.

What is party alignment?

Strong attachment to a party.

What is dealignment?

Decline in party loyalty; more independents.

What are party coalitions?

Groups of voters that consistently support a party.

What is a political machine?

Party organizations that use jobs and favors to win loyalty and votes.

What is the significance of the Electoral College?

A system where states award electors; most use winner-take-all.

What does the Fifteenth Amendment prohibit?

Denying voting rights based on race.

What does the Nineteenth Amendment grant?

The right to vote for women.

What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 accomplish?

Outlawed voting discrimination and required federal oversight in certain states.

What was the outcome of Shelby County v. Holder (2013)?

It struck down the VRA's preclearance formula, weakening federal oversight.

What are voter ID laws?

State laws requiring ID to vote; supporters argue they prevent fraud, critics say they suppress turnout.

What does the Twenty-Fourth Amendment ban?

Poll taxes in federal elections.

What does the Twenty-Sixth Amendment establish?

Lowers the voting age to 18.

What is the Motor Voter Act (1993)?

Allows voter registration at DMVs and public agencies to increase turnout.

What distinguishes candidate-centered campaigns from party-centered campaigns?

Candidate-centered campaigns focus on the candidate's personality and message, while party-centered campaigns focus on party platforms and loyalty.

What are Super PACs?

Groups that can raise unlimited money but cannot donate directly to candidates or coordinate with campaigns.

What is the significance of Citizens United v. FEC (2010)?

It allowed unlimited independent political spending by corporations and unions, as it is protected political speech.

What is the primary issue with the concept of 'Blue Lives Matter'?

'Us vs. them' issue that complicates discussions on race and policing.

What sparked the American culture wars?

The Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.

What was the backlash to the civil rights movement in the 1960s?

A reaction against the changes brought by the civil rights movement.

What demographic factor contributed to an increase in crime rates?

The number of 16-25 year old men.

What was the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

It led to 95% of eligible black voters being registered.

What did the 15th Amendment accomplish?

It granted ex-slaves the right to vote.

What was the purpose of the grandfather clause?

To disenfranchise black voters by allowing only those whose grandfathers could vote to bypass certain voting restrictions.

What is the significance of the Motor Voter Act?

It aimed to make registering to vote easier.

What does the term 'unitary executive theory' refer to?

The belief that the executive branch should have broad powers.

What is the impact of voter ID laws on voter participation?

They can suppress voter turnout, particularly among poor individuals.

What was the outcome of the Citizens United case?

It ruled that restrictions on political spending violate the 1st Amendment.

What was the main issue in Baker v. Carr?

Whether federal courts have jurisdiction over state legislature apportionment.

What did the Supreme Court decide in Shaw v. Reno?

It ruled that drawing districts solely based on race is unconstitutional.

How does the electoral college affect third parties?

It creates structural barriers that prevent third parties from gaining traction.

What is the significance of polling in elections?

Polling helps politicians understand public opinion and how to appeal to voters.

What is the difference between a random sample and a stratified sample?

A random sample is selected randomly, while a stratified sample is divided into subgroups for more accurate representation.

What does 'political efficacy' refer to?

The belief that one's vote matters and can make a difference.

What demographic factors influence voter turnout?

Education, age, race, gender, and marital status.

What is 'push polling'?

A polling technique that provides biased information to influence respondents.

What does the term 'civic duty' refer to in the context of voting?

The responsibility of citizens to participate in the electoral process.

What is the impact of the electoral college on political campaigns?

It leads candidates to focus on swing states rather than safe states.

What does the term 'plurality' mean in elections?

The most votes received by a candidate, even if not a majority.

What is the relationship between the electoral college and the two-party system?

The electoral college favors the two-party system by creating barriers for third parties.

What is the significance of the 24th Amendment?

It abolished poll taxes in federal elections.

What is the impact of education on voting behavior?

Well-educated individuals are more likely to vote.