AP U.S. Government & Politics Review Unit 5: Political Participation

Flashcards covering key concepts in Political Participation, including voting rights, electoral systems, and campaign finance.

Fifteenth Amendment

Extended suffrage to African-American men

Seventeenth Amendment

Established the popular election of US Senators by the people

Nineteenth Amendment

Extended suffrage to women

Twenty-Fourth Amendment

Abolished poll taxes in federal elections

Twenty-Sixth Amendment

Extended suffrage to people aged 18-20, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation that made it easier for African-Americans to vote by breaking down barriers such as the poll tax and literacy tests

National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Also known as the 'Motor Voter Act,' which made it easier to register to vote when applying or renewing a driver's license

Rational-Choice Voting

Voting based on what is in the citizen's best interest

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on a candidate's past actions and performance

Prospective Voting

Voting based on a candidate's future performance

Party-Line Voting

Supporting a political party by voting for all members of that party

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's vote matters and can influence policy

Presidential Elections

Elections for the President and Vice-President that occur every four years

Midterm Elections

Elections for Congress that occur during the middle of a President's term

Campaign Finance

Funds raised to support various political positions, regulated by laws

Direct Primary

A process where voters choose a candidate to represent their party in a Presidential election

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization representing an interest group or corporation that raises money to support their interests, limited in donations