UNIT 5: Political Participation

15th Amendment

Guaranteed the right to vote regardless of race or ethnicity, specifically for African-Americans.

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators.

19th Amendment

Guaranteed the right to vote regardless of sex, giving women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Prohibited poll taxes, ensuring that individuals cannot be forced to pay money to vote.

26th Amendment

Guaranteed the right to vote for those 18 years or older.

Rational-choice voting

Voting based on a person’s perceived self-interest.

Prospective voting

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on whether a candidate or party has performed well enough to be re-elected.

Party-line voting

Voting based on party identification across all offices.

Voter turnout

The percentage of eligible citizens who participate in elections.

Motor Voter Law

Requires states to allow voter registration when obtaining a driver's license.

Voter fraud

Illegal interference with the election process, often referred to in the context of voter registration.

Demographic characteristics

Features of voters that can influence their voting behavior, such as race, age, and socioeconomic status.

Political efficacy

The belief that one can influence political processes and that government responds to their needs.

Party identification

A person’s self-identification as a Democrat or Republican.

Ideological orientation

Self-identifying as liberal, conservative, or libertarian.

Candidate characteristics

Traits that appeal to voters, including education, experience, and speaking ability.

Polls

Instruments used to measure the opinions and views of a population.

Benchmark polls

Polls taken at a specific point in time to assess approval ratings.

Tracking polls

Polls designed to track changes in opinions or preferences over time.

Exit polls

Polls conducted as voters leave polling places to gauge their opinions and intentions.