Ap Gov Final Unit 5

What did the 15th Amendment do?

It granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting voter discrimination based on race.

What did the 17th Amendment establish?

It established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote, rather than being chosen by state legislatures.

What did the 19th Amendment do?

It granted women the right to vote, prohibiting voter discrimination based on sex.

What did the 23rd Amendment do?

It granted citizens of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

What did the 24th Amendment ban?

It banned poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that no citizen would be required to pay a tax to vote.

What did the 26th Amendment do?

It lowered the voting age to 18, ensuring that citizens who are 18 years or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age.

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

aimed to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans and enforce their right to vote, particularly in Southern states. It prohibited racial discrimination in voting and provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination.

What did Shelby County v. Holder do?

a landmark Supreme Court case in 2013 that invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Court ruled that the formula used to determine which jurisdictions were subject to federal oversight for changes to voting laws was unconstitutional, effectively weakening federal protections against racial discrimination in voting.

What is voter turnout?

refers to the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. It is a key indicator of civic engagement and reflects public participation in the electoral process.

What is political efficacy?

the belief that an individual can influence political processes and that their participation in politics is meaningful. It encompasses two dimensions: internal efficacy, which is the confidence in one's own abilities to understand and participate in politics, and external efficacy, which is the belief that the government will respond to citizens' demands.

Name one factor that increases voter turnout.

Education, income, age, or strong party mobilization.

What is political ideology?

a set of beliefs and values that guide an individual or group in understanding and participating in government and political processes. It shapes perspectives on issues such as social equality, economic policy, and individual rights.

What do liberals generally support?

generally support social equality, environmental protection, and government intervention in the economy to promote welfare.

What do conservatives generally support?

generally support limited government, individual liberties, free markets, and traditional social values.

What do libertarians generally believe?

generally believe in minimizing government involvement in both personal and economic matters, advocating for individual freedom and personal responsibility.

What is political socialization?

the process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs, values, and behaviors, often influenced by family, education, media, and social groups.

What is the strongest agent of political socialization?

family

Name two agents of political socialization.

School, media, religion, peers, family.

What are the two major political parties in the U.S.?

the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. They dominate the political landscape and shape electoral outcomes.

What is one function of political parties?

To organize elections and mobilize voters.

Which party is generally more liberal?

The Democratic Party

Which party is generally more conservative?

The Republican Party

What is a closed primary?

a type of primary election in which only registered members of a political party can vote to select that party's candidates.

What is an open primary?

is a type of primary election in which registered voters can participate in any party's primary election, regardless of their own party affiliation.

What is the incumbency advantage?

refers to the electoral edge afforded to those already in office. This advantage often comes from increased visibility, established relationships, and easier access to campaign financing.

How many total electoral votes are there?

538

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270

What is the winner-take-all system?

an electoral system used in most U.S. states where the candidate receiving the majority of votes in a state gets all of that state's electoral votes.

What is one criticism of the Electoral College?

can result in a candidate winning the presidency without winning the popular vote, thus undermining the principle of one-person, one-vote.

What did FECA regulate?

regulates campaign finance in U.S. federal elections, including the raising and spending of money by candidates and political parties.

What did BCRA attempt to limit?

attempted to limit soft money contributions to political parties and restrict the use of corporate and union money in electioneering communications.

What did Buckley v. Valeo establish?

established that spending money to influence elections is a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment, while allowing limits on individual contributions to candidates.

What did Citizens United v. FEC decide?

decided that political spending by corporations and unions is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, thereby allowing unlimited independent expenditures in elections.

What is an interest group?

an organization of people who share common objectives and actively seek to influence government policy and decision-making to achieve those goals.

What is lobbying?

the act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials, typically legislators or members of regulatory agencies, on behalf of a particular interest group or organization.

What is a PAC?

an organization that raises and spends money to elect or defeat political candidates, typically representing specific interest groups or parties.

What is a Super PAC?

a type of political action committee that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections, but cannot directly coordinate with candidates or political parties.

What is an amicus curiae brief?

A “friend of the court” brief submitted to influence court decisions.

What is public opinion?

The views held by the public.

What role does the media play in politics?

The media serves to inform the public about political events, shape public perception, and act as a watchdog by holding political figures accountable.

What is random sampling in polling?

Giving everyone an equal chance of being selected.

What is sampling bias?

When a poll sample does not accurately represent the population.

What are linkage institutions?

Structures connecting people to government.

Name the four main linkage institutions.

Elections, political parties, interest groups, and media.

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th Amendment.

Which amendment banned poll taxes?

24th amendment

Which amendment gave women voting rights?

19th amendment

Which amendment protected voting rights regardless of race?

15th amendment