Gov Unit 5 Flashcards

These flashcards outline key terms and concepts related to political participation and the electoral process as described in the lecture notes.

15th Amendment

Ensures people can't be denied the right to vote based on race.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes, making it easier for poor people to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Protects against racial discrimination in voting and helps ensure fair elections.

Help America Vote Act (2002)

Improves the voting system to prevent issues like those seen in the 2000 election.

Rational Choice Model

Voters choose based on what benefits them most, like which candidate's policies align with their needs.

Sociological Model

Voters are influenced by social factors like income, race, or education.

Psychological Model

Voters often stick with a party due to emotional attachment or past experiences.

Political Context Model

The political environment, like the economy or the media, affects voting behavior.

Issue Voting Model

Voters make decisions based on specific issues they care about.

Felony Disenfranchisement

Some states prevent people with felony convictions from voting.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on the promises made by a candidate or party.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on a candidate’s/party’s past performance.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another.

Super-PAC

Independent-expenditure-only committees that can raise unlimited funds for political campaigns.

Voter ID Laws

State laws that require voters to present specific forms of identification to vote.

Polling Places

Locations where voters go to cast their votes on election day.

Hard Money

Campaign contributions that are regulated by law.

Soft Money

Unregulated contributions to political parties for party-building activities.

Linkage Institutions

Structures that connect citizens to their government, including political parties, interest groups, and the media.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution for electing the president and vice president.

Recall Election

A procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office.

Initiative

A process that allows citizens to propose legislation or constitutional amendments.

Referendum

A direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal.