Voting and Elections Unit

citizenship

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

liberalism

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

conservatism

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

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

naturalization

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

libertarianism

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

environmentalism

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

moderates

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

political party

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

interest group

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

platform

a political party's statement of principles and objectives

two-party system

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

political action committee (PAC)

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

lobbying

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

public policy

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

caucus

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

primary election

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

general election

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

suffrage

the right to vote

voter registration

the process of signing up to vote, under federal authority

closed primary

voting in the primary is limited to registered party members

open primary

allows all voters to vote in primary election

presidential election

Occurs every four years in even numbered years

midterm election

Occurs in even-numbered years between presidential elections

off-year election

Occurs in odd-numbered years

Electoral College

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

270

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

26th Amendment

Sets voting age at 18

incumbent

a public official seeking reelection to the position they currently occupy

four qualifications for voting

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

goal of a political party

to get their nominee elected and into public office

socialism

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

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)

undocumented immigrant

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

ideology

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

precinct

local voting district

third party

a term used for a minor political party

presidential election dates

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

538

total number of Electoral College votes

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

US congressional representation

Minnesota primary

open primary; open to all eligible voters

19th Amendment (1920)

Women gain the right to vote

24th Amendment (1964)

Abolishes poll taxes

Voting Rights Act of 1965

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

15th Amendment (1870)

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