AP Gov; Unit 5: Political Participation

What has the federal government done regarding elections in the last century?

Increased control over elections to prevent discrimination.

What does the 15th Amendment state about voting rights?

The right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

What is the significance of the 17th Amendment?

It established the direct election of U.S. Senators by voters in each state.

What does the 19th Amendment guarantee?

The right to vote cannot be denied based on sex.

What change did the 24th Amendment bring to voting rights?

It prohibits denying the right to vote in federal elections due to failure to pay taxes.

What does the 26th Amendment state about voting?

Citizens aged eighteen years or older cannot be denied the right to vote based on age.

What was the purpose of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

To ban literacy tests and other discriminatory practices in voting.

What is 'Political Efficacy'?

A belief that one can understand and impact politics.

How does the Massachusetts ballot differ in its design?

It lists candidates from the highest office to the lowest and groups them by office instead of party.

Describe Rational-Choice Voting.

Voters examine issues and candidates to decide how to vote based on perceived benefits.

What is Retrospective Voting?

Voting based on assessment of the incumbent party’s performance.

What is the goal of Prospective Voting?

Voting based on who is believed to handle future issues better.

What is Party-Line Voting?

Voting for candidates from one political party across all offices on the ballot.

What are some reasons contributing to low voter turnout?

Registration requirements, weekday elections, voter fatigue, and low political efficacy.

What is one suggestion to improve voter turnout?

Implement automatic registration or make voting compulsory.

What does the Motor Voter Law allow?

It allows people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license.

How do state voter photo ID laws affect voting?

They require voters to present a valid photo ID, impacting access to the polls.

Who is most likely to vote according to demographics?

College-educated individuals, higher-income individuals, and middle-aged or older people.

What is the best indicator of how a person will vote?

Party identification.

What are linkage institutions?

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policymakers.

What are the functions of political parties?

Mobilizing voters, educating the electorate, establishing party platforms, and recruiting candidates.

What is candidate-centered politics?

A focus on candidates as individuals rather than on party identification.

What is a critical election?

An election that leads to a significant and lasting change in party alignment.

What does campaign finance law affect?

The impact of private contributions allows candidates to be more independent of political parties.

What is the barrier faced by third parties in elections?

The plurality system and winner-takes-all voting districts limit their success.

What are interest groups?

Organizations that attempt to influence policy for specific or general purposes.

What are public interest groups?

Groups that work for the collective interest of a broad range of individuals.

What is grassroots lobbying?

Going directly to citizens to persuade them about an issue.

What are social movements?

Broad-based efforts to achieve significant policy changes.

What distinguishes presidential elections from congressional elections?

Presidential elections are typically more competitive with lower winning percentages.

What is the invisibility of the primary phase in presidential elections?

It refers to the initial phase where potential candidates gauge support before formal campaigning.