Voting and Elections Unit

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45 Terms
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citizenship

the status of being a citizen, a person who by birth or naturalization enjoys certain rights

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liberalism

an ideology favoring an active role for government in efforts to solve society's problems

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conservatism

an ideology favoring a limited role for government and more private initiative bu nongovernmental groups to solve society's problems

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14th Amendment

adopted in part to define citizenship rights. It also says that states cannot discriminate against citizens or deprive them of rights without due process of law

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naturalization

legal process through which a person not granted citizenship by birth can become a citizen

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libertarianism

ideology based on a strong belief in personal freedom. Conservative on economic issues, liberal on social issues.

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environmentalism

ideology that unites Americans deeply concerned with conservation and protection of the environment.

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moderates

middle-of-the-road voters; center of the political spectrum

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political party

an organization that seeks to achieve power by electing its members to public office

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interest group

any organized group whose members share a common goal and try to promote their interests by influencing government policymaking.

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platform

a political party's statement of principles and objectives

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two-party system

a political system in which two parties dominate the electoral process and control the government.

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political action committee (PAC)

an organization that raises and distributes funds to candidates running for office.

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lobbying

an organized effort to influence the policy process by persuading officials to favor or oppose action on a specific issue.

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public policy

a plan or course of action initiated by government to achieve a stated goal

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caucus

a meeting of party members to choose party officials or nominees for public office

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primary election

an election in which voters determine their political party's nominee for an elective office

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general election

an election in which voters choose among candidates from different parties to fill an elective office

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suffrage

the right to vote

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voter registration

the process of signing up to vote, under federal authority

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closed primary

voting in the primary is limited to registered party members

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open primary

allows all voters to vote in primary election

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presidential election

Occurs every four years in even numbered years

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midterm election

Occurs in even-numbered years between presidential elections

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off-year election

Occurs in odd-numbered years

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Electoral College

a body of electors from each state who cast votes to elect the president and vice president

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270

the number of Electoral College votes needed to win the presidential election

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26th Amendment

Sets voting age at 18

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incumbent

a public official seeking reelection to the position they currently occupy

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four qualifications for voting

18 years old, US citizen, resident of state in which you are voting, registered voter

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goal of a political party

to get their nominee elected and into public office

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socialism

The main goalis to limit economic inequality by ensuring a fair distribution of wealth.

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lawful permanent resident

an immigrant who is legally authorized to live and work in the US permanently, who is not a US citizen. (resident alien)

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undocumented immigrant

a person who has come the US to live and work without the required legal papers.

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ideology

a set of political beliefs about the roles of government and individuals in society

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precinct

local voting district

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third party

a term used for a minor political party

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presidential election dates

the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even numbered years

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538

total number of Electoral College votes

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The number of Electoral College votes a state has is based on

US congressional representation

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Minnesota primary

open primary; open to all eligible voters

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19th Amendment (1920)

Women gain the right to vote

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24th Amendment (1964)

Abolishes poll taxes

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Voting Rights Act of 1965

a law designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African-American suffrage

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15th Amendment (1870)

Prohibited voting restrictions based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude (slavery)

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