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17th amendment

established the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people instead of the state legislatures.

19th amendment

It granted women the right to vote

23rd amendment

gave residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections. It granted the district electors in the electoral college as if it were a state

24th amendment

it prohibits poll taxes in federal elections. 

26th amendment

it lowered the voting age to 18. it was in response to the Vietnam were young men could be drafted but not vote.

Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)

Allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited money on independent political ads. Led to the rise of Super PACs. This was after the anti-Hillary Clinton movie and argued that the government was resisting political speech.

Buckley v. Valeo (1976)

The Supreme Court ruled that limits on individual campaign contributions are constitutional to prevent corruption, but limits on a candidate’s own spending are unconstitutional because they restrict free speech. This case basically said that spending money in politics is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold)

This 2002 law banned “soft money” donations to political parties and restricted issue ads funded by corporations or unions close to elections. It was designed to reduce corruption by limiting big-money influence in federal campaigns.

Horse-race coverage

Media focuses on which candidate is winning or losing rather than policy issues. 

Ticket splitting

When a voter chooses candidates from different parties for different offices in the same election. Ex: voting republican for president but democrat for congress. 

Straight ticket voting

Voting every candidate from the same political party on the entire ballot. 

Down ballot voting

Voting for candidates in lower-level races (local or state) after choosing top of the ballot offices like president or governer.

Rational choice

Voters choose the option that benefits them the most based on logic and self-interest.

Prospective voting

Voters make decision based on what they think the candidate will do in the future.

Retrospective voting

Voters decide based on a candidate's, or their party’s, past performance.

Pluralist democracy

A democracy where many competing interest groups influence government decisions. A single group doesn’t dominate; policy is shaped by bargaining and compromise. It focuses on spreading out political power.

Participatory democracy

A model of democracy where citizens directly participate in political decisions as much as possible. Ex: town hall meetings, initiatives, referendums. Values public engagement and involvement. 

Primary election

An election within a political party to choose the party’s nominee for the general election. Can be open, closed, or semi-open depending on who can vote.

National convention

A party meeting held every four years where delegates officially nominate the presidential candidate and approve the party platform.

Democratic Policy Position

bigger federal governments, more social welfare programs, liberal social policies, higher taxes on the wealthy

Republican Party Position

smaller federal government, lower taxes, conservative social values, emphasize free markets

Exit polls

Polls taken right after people vote, used to predict winners and analyze trends

Push polls

Fake polls designed to influence not measure opinions. They are biased and/or use leading questions.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Eliminates literacy tests and strengthens protection for minority voters.

Lobbying