Voting and Amendments

Political Socialization

How people form their political attitudes (family, school, media)

Opinion leader

Influential individuals who shape others opinions

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics and the role of government (e.g., intervention, social justice and equality.)

Liberal

Generally supports government intervention, social justice and equality.

Conservative

Favors limited government, individual liberty and traditional values.

Moderate

Holds views between liberal and conservative; often pragmatic.

Radical

Advocates for significant or revolutionary change.

Reactionary

Seeks to return to a previous, often idealized, state.

Public opinion

The collective attitudes of citizens on political issues.

Scientific polling

Surveys using random sampling to accurately measure public opinion

Straw polling

Informal, non-scientific surveys (often unreliable)

Suffrage

The right to vote

Political efficiency

Belief that ones participation matters.

Voter demographics

Characteristics of voters (age, race, gender, etc.)

Non-voters

People eligible to vote who dont

15th amendment

All men can vote regardless of race

19th

Women can vote

23rd

D.C. gets electoral votes

24th

Ban poll taxes

26th

Lowers voting age to 18

Voting laws: Civil Rights Act of 1965

Bans discriminatory voting practices.