Campaigns elections and voting

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Electorate

The body of persons entitled to vote in an election.

15th Amendment

Ratified in 1870, it grants African American men the right to vote by prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on 'race, color, or previous condition of servitude.'

17th Amendment

Ratified in 1913, it established the direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

19th Amendment

Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Ratified in 1964, it prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Ratified in 1971, it lowered the voting age to 18 years.

Direct Primary

A primary election in which registered members of a political party nominate candidates for office.

Recall

A procedure allowing voters to remove an elected official from office before the end of their term.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can result in the adoption of a new law.

Initiative

A process that allows voters to propose legislation or constitutional amendments and to vote on them directly.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on a calculation of which candidate will provide the most personal benefit.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on the past performance of a candidate or political party.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on predictions of future performance of a candidate or party.

Party-Line Voting

Voting for candidates who belong to the same political party as the voter.

Political Efficacy

The belief that one's political participation makes a difference.

Motor Voter Law

A law that allows individuals to register to vote while applying for or renewing a driver's license.

Primary Elections

Elections to determine the nominees for the general election.

Closed Primary

A primary election in which only registered party members may vote.

Open Primary

A primary election in which voters may choose on the day of the primary which party's primary to participate in.

Blanket Primary

A primary election in which voters can select candidates for each office without regard to party lines.

Runoff Primary

A second primary election held when no candidate receives the majority of votes in the first primary.

General Elections

Elections that determine which candidates will fill the public offices.

Off-Year Elections

Elections held in odd-numbered years when there is no presidential election.

Midterm Elections

Elections held halfway through a president's term, where members of Congress are elected.

Coattail Effect

The phenomenon by which a popular candidate at the top of the ballot helps candidates lower down the ballot from the same party.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates and plan strategy.

Presidential Preference Primary

A primary in which voters indicate their preference for their party's candidate for president.

Front Loading

The practice of scheduling more primary elections early in the election cycle.

Super Tuesday

A day when multiple states hold primary elections or caucuses.

Superdelegates

Party leaders and elected officials who are given the right to vote for a candidate at the party's national convention.

Electoral College

A group of representatives from each state who formally elect the president and vice president.

Maintaining Elections

Elections in which the existing party continues to hold the majority of power and support.

Deviating Elections

Elections in which a temporary shift of voter allegiance occurs, leading to a different party winning.

Critical Elections

Elections that result in a significant change in the political landscape.

Realigning Elections

Elections that result in a lasting shift in party loyalty and voting behavior.

Dealigning Elections

Elections in which voters become less attached to the two major political parties.

Split Ticket Voting

Voting for candidates of different parties for different offices on the same ballot.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

An independent regulatory agency overseeing campaign finance laws in federal elections.

Freedom of Expression

The right to express one's opinions and ideas without fear of government retaliation or censorship.

Soft Money

Campaign contributions that are not regulated by federal law, typically used for party-building activities.

BCRA (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act)

A law passed in 2002 aimed at regulating campaign financing.

Citizens United v FEC

A landmark Supreme Court case that ruled that corporations and unions can spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns.