Political Participation and Voting Rights

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to political participation, amendments affecting voting rights, voting behaviors, and campaign strategies.

15th Amendment

Gave black people the right to vote.

17th Amendment

Allowed the people to vote for their senators.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Banned the poll tax (no more tax to vote).

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Rational choice

Voting based on what benefits you personally.

Retrospective voting

Voting based on a candidate’s past actions.

Prospective voting

Voting based on what the candidate plans to do in the future.

Party-line voting

Voting for a candidate just because they belong to your political party.

Political efficacy

Belief that your vote matters.

Voter registration laws

Laws that can serve as obstacles to voter registration.

Winner-take-all districts

Only the candidate with the most votes wins.

Iron triangle

The relationship between an interest group, a bureaucratic agency, and a congressional committee that work together to make policy decisions.

Issue networks

A group of individuals and organizations that work together to influence policy on specific issues.

Incumbency advantage

Current officeholders have an easier time winning re-election.

Open primaries

Primaries where anyone can vote.

Closed primaries

Primaries where only party members can vote.

Horse-race journalism

Media coverage that focuses on who’s winning, rather than on issues.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

Raises and spends money to influence elections.

Super PAC

Can raise and spend unlimited money, but cannot directly coordinate with candidates.

Horse race journalism

Focus on who’s winning not on the issues

Media choices

More media choices mean, people can choose sources that support their beliefs

Ideologically oriented programming

Media Content tailor to specific political viewpoints

Media bias

News outlets may present information in a way that supports one side of the political spectrum