American Political Participation and Election Processes

Suffrage

The legal right to vote.

Political Participation

Any activity used by citizens to influence politics (voting, protest, etc.).

Political Efficacy

The belief that your vote and your participation actually matter.

Rational-Choice Voting

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

Party-line (Straight ticket) voting

Voting for every candidate from the same party on a ballot.

Poll Tax

A fee required to vote (now unconstitutional).

Political Parties

Groups that try to win elections to control the government.

Interest Groups

Groups that try to influence policy, but don't run their own candidates.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the President; 270 votes are needed to win.

Swing States

"Battleground" states where the vote is close and candidates spend the most time.

Winner-take-all system

The rule that the candidate with the most votes in a state gets all its electoral votes.

Lobbyist

A person who works for an interest group to persuade politicians.

Open Primary

Any registered voter can vote in either party's primary.

Closed Primary

Only voters registered with a specific party can vote in that party's primary.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on a candidate's past performance.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of how a candidate will act in the future.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually show up to vote.

Grandfather Clause

Old rule that let people vote only if their ancestors did (disenfranchised Black voters).

Literacy Test

A reading test required to vote (disenfranchised Black voters; now illegal).

Voter Registration Laws

Requirements to sign up before voting; can lower turnout if they are too strict.

Mid-term elections

Congressional elections held halfway through a president's term (lower turnout).

Presidential Elections

Elections held every 4 years (highest turnout).

Referendum

When the government lets citizens vote directly on a specific law.

Recall

An election to remove a politician from office before their term ends.

Initiative

When citizens gather signatures to force a vote on a new law.

Precinct

A small geographic area/neighborhood where you go to vote.

Civic Engagement

Working to make a difference in the community (volunteering, staying informed).

Contemporary Political Issues

Current "hot topics" like the economy or healthcare.

Religious Affiliation

How a person's religion impacts their voting behavior.

Voter mobilization (GOTV)

"Get Out The Vote"—efforts to get people to the polls.

Iowa Caucuses

The first major contest of the primary season (very influential).

New Hampshire Primary

The first primary election in the cycle.

Plurality

Having the most votes, even if it's not a majority.

Majority

Having more than 50% of the votes.

Front Loading

When states move their primaries earlier to get more media attention.

Retail Politics

Small-scale campaigning (meeting people in diners, handshakes).

Party Platforms

A document listing a party's goals and positions on issues.

Delegate

Someone sent to the national convention to officially vote for a nominee.

Superdelegates

Party leaders who get to vote for whoever they want at the convention (Democrats only).

Coattail Effect

When a popular president helps other candidates from their party win.

Realignment

A "political earthquake" where party loyalty shifts for a long time.

Third Party Candidate

A candidate from a party other than Republican or Democrat (e.g., Libertarian).

Independent Candidate

A candidate with no party affiliation at all.

Public Interest Group

A group that fights for a collective good (like clean air) that benefits everyone.

Amicus Curiae Brief

A "Friend of the Court" letter sent by an interest group to influence a judge's decision.

Incumbent Advantage

The high chance that the person already in office will win again.

National Popular Vote

A plan to ignore the Electoral College and give the presidency to whoever gets the most votes nationwide.

Soft Money

Money given to a party instead of a candidate (mostly banned).

Hard Money

Money given directly to a candidate (strictly limited).

Dark Money

Money spent by groups who don't have to reveal who their donors are.

Attack Ads

Commercials that highlight the negative traits of an opponent.

Issue Ads

Commercials that focus on a specific problem rather than a specific person.