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15th Amendment

Grants the right to vote to all citizens regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

19th Amendment

Grants the right to vote to all citizens regardless of gender, specifically ensuring women's suffrage.

23rd Amendment

Grants residents of Washington, D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

24th Amendment

Prohibits the imposition of poll taxes as a condition for voting in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.

501(c)(3)

A tax-exempt designation by the IRS for charitable organizations, educational institutions, and certain other nonprofits.

501(c)(4)

A tax-exempt designation by the IRS for social welfare organizations engaged in lobbying or political activities.

Absentee Ballot

A vote cast by someone who is unable to attend the official polling station.

Ballot Access

The process by which candidates gain a spot on the election ballot.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

Legislation aimed at regulating the financing of political campaigns.

Bundling

The practice of collecting and aggregating individual campaign contributions before passing them on to a candidate.

Candidate-centered Campaigns

Political campaigns that focus on the personality, attributes, and policies of the candidate rather than the party or issues.

Caucus

A meeting of members of a political party or movement to coordinate strategy, select candidates, or make decisions.

Coalitions

Groups of individuals or organizations that come together to pursue a common goal or interest.

Coattail Effect

The tendency for a popular political candidate to attract votes for other candidates of the same party in an election.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one's existing beliefs or theories.

Dark Ads

Political advertisements that are targeted at specific individuals or groups and are not publicly disclosed.

Direct Lobbying

Attempts to influence government officials directly, often through personal meetings or communication.

Divided Government

When different political parties control different branches of government, such as the presidency and the legislature.

DNC (Democratic National Committee)

The principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party.

Editorials

Opinion pieces written by the editorial board of a newspaper or magazine.

Electorate

The body of people entitled to vote in an election.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

An independent agency of the United States government that regulates communication by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

Federal Election Commission (FEC)

An independent regulatory agency that oversees the financing of federal elections in the United States.

Free-riders

Individuals who benefit from collective action without contributing to it.

Gatekeeper

An individual or group that controls access to information or resources.

General Election

A regular election of candidates for office, as opposed to a primary election.

Help America Vote Act

Federal legislation aimed at improving the administration of elections in the United States.

Horse-race Journalism

Coverage of political campaigns that focuses on polling data, public perception, and strategy rather than substantive issues.

Hyperpluralism

A theory of democracy that suggests excessive influence by special interest groups undermines the authority of government.

Incumbent

A current officeholder seeking reelection.

Interest Groups

Organizations that seek to influence public policy in specific areas.

Interest Groups to Know

Prominent interest groups with significant influence on public policy.

Intergovernmental Lobby

Efforts by state or local governments to influence federal policy.

Iron Triangles

Cozy relationships between government agencies, congressional committees, and interest groups that work together to shape policy.

Issue Networks

Loose coalitions of individuals, organizations, and interest groups that advocate for specific policy positions.

Linkage Institutions

Institutions that connect citizens to government, such as political parties and the media.

Lobbying Resources (5)

Various resources and tactics employed by lobbyists to influence policymakers.

Lobbyist

A person who attempts to influence government decisions on behalf of a client or organization.

Lobbyists

Individuals or groups engaged in lobbying activities.

McGovern Fraser Commission

A commission formed by the Democratic Party in 1969 to reform the presidential nominating process.

Midterm Elections

Elections held halfway through a president's term in office, often involving congressional races.

Motor Voter Law

Informal name for the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, which made it easier for Americans to register to vote.

National Voter Registration Act

Federal legislation aimed at increasing voter registration in the United States.

Party Realignment

Significant shifts in party support or electoral coalitions.

Party-line Voting

Voting based solely on party affiliation, without considering the individual candidates or issues.

Pluralism

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the competition and diversity of interest groups.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises money to support or oppose political candidates or issues.

Primary (and Types)

An election in which party members or voters choose candidates to run for office in a subsequent general election.

Proportional System

A voting system in which seats in the legislature are allocated in proportion to the number of votes each party receives.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on expectations of how a candidate will perform in office.

Provisional Ballot

A ballot used when there are questions about a voter's eligibility, which is counted only after eligibility is confirmed.

Rational-choice Voting

Voting based on a careful consideration of the issues and candidates.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on an assessment of the incumbent's performance in office.

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between government positions and lobbying or private sector jobs.

RNC (Republican National Committee)

The principal organization governing the United States Republican Party.

Single-issue Groups

Interest groups that focus on a single issue or narrow set of issues.

Single-member Districts

Electoral districts represented by a single officeholder.

Special Interest Group

A group that seeks to influence public policy in a specific area.

Splinter Parties

Political parties that break away from larger parties.

Suffrage

The right to vote.

Super PACs

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money to independently support or oppose candidates.

Super Tuesday

A day in the presidential primary season when multiple states hold their primary elections or caucuses.

Superdelegates

Party leaders and elected officials who are not bound by the results of primary elections or caucuses.

Think Tanks

Organizations that conduct research and advocate for specific policy positions.

Third Parties

Political parties other than the two major parties (Democratic and Republican) in the United States.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters

War Chest

A term used in politics to describe the funds accumulated and set aside by a candidate, political party, or advocacy group for use in an upcoming election or campaign. These funds are typically used for advertising, campaign events, staff salaries, and other expenses related to promoting the candidate or cause.

Watchdog

In politics and journalism, a watchdog refers to an organization, group, or individual that monitors and exposes wrongdoing, corruption, or unethical behavior within government, corporations, or other powerful entities. Watchdogs play a crucial role in holding those in positions of authority accountable and promoting transparency and integrity.

Winner-take-all

A voting system in which the candidate who receives the most votes wins the entire election or contest, rather than apportioning seats or victories based on proportional representation. This term is often used in reference to presidential elections in the United States, where the winner of the popular vote in each state typically receives all of that state's electoral votes.