ap gov voting

Rational choice theory

refers to individuals who base their decisions on what is perceived to be in their best interest

Retrospective voting

refers to individuals who decide whether the party or candidate in power should be reelected based on the recent past

Prospective voting

refers to individuals who vote based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

Straight-ticket voting

refers to individuals who vote for all of the candidates from one political party on a ballot

Voter turnout

differences in state-controlled elections (the hours polls are open, Voter ID laws, variations in funding for polling places and workers, variations in types of voting allowed, such as voting by mail, absentee voting, and early voting) ii. Variations in voter registration laws and procedures (registering in-person, online, or automatically) iii. Election type (more turnout for presidential elections than midterm elections)

Structural barriers

such as Voter ID laws, variations in funding for polling places and workers, variations in types of voting allowed, polling hours, availability of absentee ballots, voting by mail, and early voting opportunities, ability to register in-person and/or online,

Political efficacy

the belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference ; used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote

Voter choice

factors influencing voter choice include: i. Party identification and ideological orientation ii. Candidate characteristics iii. Contemporary political issues iv. Religious beliefs or affiliation, age, gender, race and ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics

Electorate

the people eligible to vote in an election

Party platform

formal set of principal goals of a political party to appeal to the public / electorate

Candidate-centered campaign

where the public focus is on the characteristics of the candidate and not on the party

Critical elections / Realignments

set of sharp changes in party ideology, issues, party leadership, regional and demographic bases of power in political parties, and political system rules and structures

Third party

; incorporation of third-party agendas into platforms of major political parties serves as a barrier to third-party and independent candidate success

Proportional system

a type of electoral system in which subgroups of an electorate are reflected proportionally in a legislative body

Winner-take-all system

serve as a structural barrier to third-party and independent candidate success ; winner-take-all voting advantages the two-party system in the U.S.

Incumbency advantage

benefits current officeholders possess over challengers

Closed primary

voting process to elect candidates where only voters registered in a given party can vote in their party’s primary election

Open primary

voting process to elect candidates by allowing voters of any party affiliation to vote in one party’s primary election

Caucus

closed meetings of party members to select candidates or decide policy

Party convention

a political convention where delegates of a political party come from across the nation to nominate their party candidates and decide on a party platform

General election

a regular election where all registered voters may vote for candidates for political office

Electoral College

states can choose how they allocate their electors; most states use a winner-take-all system

Popular vote

an election where the candidate with a majority or plurality of all votes in the nation

Presidential election

Incumbency advantage phenomenon ii. Open and closed primaries iii. Caucuses iv. Party conventions v. General (presidential) elections vi. The Electoral College

Congressional election

process and outcomes in U.S. congressional elections are affected by: i. Incumbency advantage phenomenon ii. Open and closed primaries iii. Caucuses iv. General (presidential and midterm) elections

Modern campaign

benefits and drawbacks of modern campaigns are represented by: i. Dependence on professional consultants ii. Rising campaign costs and intensive fundraising efforts iii. Duration of election cycles iv. Impact of and reliance on social media for campaign communication and fundraising