AP gov Unit 5

Political Efficacy

The degree to which someone feels their vote actually matters.

Rational-choice model

Voters make decisions in the same fashion that they would decide on which car to purchase or brand of detergent to buy. They vote on what is their best individual interest.

15th Amendment

Ensured that voting rights could not be denied on the basis of "race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

19th Amendment

Ensured that voting rights could not be denied based on sex.

26th Amendment

Prohibited denying voting rights for age-based reasons to anyone over eighteen.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed discriminatory voting practices, including literacy tests. In addition, it allowed the federal government to register voters and oversee elections in areas that had a history of voter discrimination.

Mid-term election (off-year election)

The years in which there are congressional elections but not a presidential election. Voter turnout tends to dip due to less media coverage and general public interest.

Interest group

A group of people who share a common interest or goal regarding public policy.

Iron triangle

A three-way network between Congress, a bureaucratic agency, and interest groups that work together to develop and conserve their own power, and expand their political influence.

Issue networks

Associations of different interest groups and people who come together to advance a common cause in a way that affects governmental policy. They are more temporary and have more people than the iron triangle.

Third-party (minor party)

Any party other than the Democrats or Republicans.

Plurality voting

An electoral system in which the winner is the person who gets the most votes, even if he or she does not receive a majority; used in almost all American elections.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act)

Created because of the weaknesses in the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA). It created: a ban on soft money contributions, a higher limit on hard money contributions, "Stand by your ad" provision, and advertisement limits.

Incumbency advantage

A government official who currently holds office has name recognition, casework, campaign financing, and usually redistricting on his side, so he usually has an advantage over his challenger.

Open primary election

An election where any registered voter (regardless of party membership) within the state can participate in one primary.

Closed Primary Election

An election where only registered members of a particular political party can vote.

Political action committee

Organizations created for the purpose of pooling donations for a particular candidate or issue. They operate separately from that candidate's official campaign.

Sound bite

A piece of a person speaking during a video or speech. Used to make fun of politicians. These 30 second clips are blown out of proportion and context to resemble something negative about a candidate.

Horse-race journalism

When the media tends to focus on polling and who is winning a particular race rather than the issues at hand.

Narrowcasting

Media outlets tailor their programming to very specific audiences. This allows media consumers to essentially hear only what they wish to hear.

Social media

Internet- and mobile-phone-based platforms such as Snapchat, Facebook, and Twitter.

Hard Money

Money given directly to political campaigns. Spent according to government laws and restrictions.

Soft Money

Money given directly to a political party. Not so limited and was used during conventions, voter registration drives, and other activities that supported the candidate.