Exam 2 Study Guide

U.S. Constitution

Gives primary responsibility for regulating and administering elections for federal office to the state government.

State Election Laws

Vary across states, but Congress can set uniform rules.

County

In Georgia, elections are administered by each county.

Primary Election

Held to determine political parties' nominees.

General Election

Held so parties' nominees run against each other to determine who serves in office.

Referendum

A proposed law placed on a ballot by a legislative authority.

Citizen Ballot Initiative

A proposed law placed on a ballot by a citizen.

Article X of the Georgia Constitution

Requires an amendment to the Georgia Constitution to be ratified through a referendum in a general election on an even-numbered year.

Convenience Voting

A flexible way that gives opportunities to voters besides in-person voting.

Absentee Voting

One of the primary forms of convenience voting, allowing voters to vote through mail or in person without an excuse.

Early In-Person Voting

One of the primary forms of convenience voting, allowing voters to vote in person before Election Day.

Georgia

Above average in providing voters with convenience voting options.

Three Weeks

The early voting period in Georgia prior to Election Day.

Voter Turnout

Generally higher in presidential election years and lower in midterm election years. Higher in federal elections compared to local elections.

African American Citizens

Tend to vote at approximately the same rate as white Americans.

Hispanic (Latino/Latina) Citizens

Tend to vote at lower rates than African Americans.

Men and Women

Currently vote at approximately the same rate, with slightly more women.

Wealthier Americans

Tend to vote at a significantly higher rate than poorer Americans.

Older Americans

Tend to vote at a significantly higher rate than younger Americans.

Highly Educated Americans

Tend to vote at a significantly higher rate than less-educated Americans.

Epistocracy

Rule by the knowledgeable; theory that only highly informed people should vote.

Arguments for Increasing Voter Turnout

The threat or promise of voting is the only way to influence the self-interests of elected officials.

Government

More likely to serve the interests of those who vote and pay attention to voters or registered voters.

Rational Choice Model of Voting

Predicts citizens will vote if the benefits of doing so exceed the costs.

D-Term

Represents the direct benefit to the voter from the act of voting in the rational choice model.

C-Term

Represents the costs incurred by the voter by voting in the rational choice model.

Felonies Convictions

Basis for disenfranchising over five million American citizens over the age of 18.

Compulsory Voting

Requires citizens to vote, resulting in a high voter turnout.

Same-Day Registration

Increases voter turnout by 5% above average.

Section 203 of the Federal Voting Rights Act

Increased Latino representation in government by increasing turnout among Latino citizens who speak Spanish as a first language.

Civil Disobedience

The intentional breaking of laws to make a political point.

Demonstrations, Marches, and Protests

Used to make a point about a public policy issue and gain public recognition.

Strikes

Collective refusal to work to dramatize a situation or force concessions.

Boycotts

Collective refusal to purchase a particular good or service.

Riots

Indicate that the system is operating poorly.

Political Parties

Organizations that help choose and groom possible candidates, mobilize voters, structure issues, represent societal groups, aggregate interests, and form governing coalitions.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.

Cabinet

Group of advisors to help the president administer their duties.

Executive Order

A rule or order issued by the president that has the force of law.

Executive Privilege

The right to withhold information from Congress, the judiciary, or the public.

Signing Statements

Written statements made by the president at the time they sign a bill into law to influence its interpretation and implementation.

Executive Agreements

Agreements between the president and foreign country made without formal consent from the Senate.

Bureaucracy

The set of bureaucratic agencies in the executive branch.

Bureaucratic Agency

A government unit composed of unelected civil servants established to accomplish specific goals and objectives.

Civil Servants

Individuals who fill nonelected positions in government as careers and make up the bureaucracy.

Cabinet Departments

Executive branch organizations responsible for specific policy areas.