Unit_2

Political Participation

The involvement of citizens in the political process, including voting, campaigning, and other forms of civic engagement.

Duties of a Citizen

Mandatory actions that a citizen must perform, such as obeying the law, paying taxes, and serving on a jury.

Responsibilities of a Citizen

Optional actions that enhance the quality of government and community, including voting, volunteering, and participating in civic life.

Voter Eligibility in Tennessee

Requirements include being a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a resident of Tennessee, and having voting rights if previously convicted of a felony.

Primaries

Elections inter-party in which candidates are selected to run in the general election; can be closed or open.

Closed Primary

A primary election where only registered party members can vote to select their candidate.

Open Primary

A primary election that allows any qualified voter to participate, regardless of party affiliation.

Caucus

A meeting of party members to select candidates and delegates; requires participation and often involves discussion among supporters.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the United States Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President.

Initiatives

A process that allows citizens to propose laws directly through petitioning and requiring a certain number of signatures.

Referendum

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

Recall Election

A procedure that allows citizens to remove and replace a public official before the end of their term.

Media Bias

The perception that media outlets favor one perspective over another in their reporting, impacting public opinion.

Public Opinion Polls

Surveys used to measure the public's views and preferences, often employing scientific methods to ensure accuracy.

Universe and Sample in Polling

The universe refers to the entire population being studied, while a sample is a representative subset of that population.

Democratic Profile

Demographic characteristics often associated with Democratic voters, including younger individuals, women, and minority groups.

Republican Profile

Demographic characteristics often associated with Republican voters, including higher income, older age groups, and those in rural areas.

Party Affiliation

The political party with which an individual identifies, strongly predicting their voting behavior.

Civic Life Participation

Engagement in community and national affairs, such as attending school, voting, and volunteering.