Unit 5: Political Participation

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to political participation, voting processes, and campaign financing.

Political participation

Activities by citizens aimed at influencing the selection of government officials or the policies they pursue.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Voter registration

The requirement to register before being allowed to vote.

Structural voting barriers

Legal or practical obstacles that can make it harder for certain groups to vote (e.g., voter ID laws, limited polling hours).

Rational choice voting

A model that assumes voters make decisions based on what they perceive to be in their best interest.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on how one perceives the incumbent's past performance.

Prospective voting

Voting based on what a candidate promises to do if elected.

Political efficacy

The belief that one's political participation can make a difference.

Linkage institutions

Organizations that connect citizens to the government.

Political parties

Organizations that seek to control government by winning elections.

Third parties

Political parties other than the two major parties in a two-party system.

Interest groups

Organizations that seek to advance their causes and influence public policy.

Elections

The formal process of selecting a person for public office or of accepting or rejecting a political proposition by voting.

Media

Various means of communication that influence people's political views and behavior including broadcast, paper, internet, and social media.

Incumbency advantage

The electoral benefit that current officeholders have over challengers.

Redistricting

The process of drawing new congressional and state legislative districts.

Gerrymandering

The practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or class.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy.

Primary election

An election in which voters select a candidate to run for office.

Closed primary

A primary election in which only registered party members can vote.

Open primary

A primary election in which any registered voter can participate.

General election

An election in which all voters choose among candidates who have been nominated.

Electoral College

The system for selecting the president in which voters in each state choose electors.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises money to contribute to candidates or campaigns.

Super PAC

A type of PAC that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, and individuals.

Soft money

Political donations made to parties for party-building activities.

Hard money

Political donations made directly to a candidate's campaign.

Campaign finance

The way in which money is raised and spent in political campaigns.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

Law aimed at regulating the financing of political campaigns.

Lobbying

Attempting to influence government policy through direct communication with government officials.

Political polarization

The divergence of political attitudes away from the center toward ideological extremes.

Horse race coverage

Media focus on which candidates are leading rather than on substantive issues.

Consumer-driven media outlet

Media whose content is influenced by the actions and needs of consumers.

Voter suppression

Strategies to discourage or prevent specific groups of people from voting.