Political Participation Flashcards
What does the 15th Amendment state?
The right of citizens to vote may not be denied on account of race or color.
What change did the 17th Amendment introduce?
It changed the method of election for U.S. senators from state legislators to a popular vote.
What did the 19th Amendment grant?
Women’s suffrage.
What does the 24th Amendment eliminate?
The poll tax.
What voting age was established by the 26th Amendment?
The voting age was lowered to 18.
What is Prospective Voting?
Voting for a candidate based on campaign promises and a belief that he or she will bring about positive change.
What is Retrospective Voting?
Voting for a candidate based on the approval of his or her past actions in office.
What is Rational Choice Voting?
Voting for a candidate based on an individual’s best interests, weighing the pros and cons of alternative options.
What is Party-Line Voting?
Voting for a candidate based on party loyalty.
What is Voter Turnout?
The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.
What is Compulsory Voting?
Requirement that all eligible citizens vote in elections.
What are Linkage Institutions?
The means through which people’s concerns and interests become political issues on the government’s policy agenda.
Examples include political parties, interest groups, media, and elections.
What is a Political Party?
A group of like-minded citizens who organize to win elections, hold office, and determine public policy.
What is a Party Platform?
A political party’s statement of its beliefs, goals, and policy aims for the next four years.
What is a Party Convention?
A meeting of party delegates every four years, where a party’s candidate is officially nominated and the platform is adopted.
What is a Critical Election?
An election in which new issues emerge and voters shift party loyalty.
What is a Direct Primary?
Elections that take place from January to June of an election year for the purpose of selecting each party’s candidate for the general election.
What is an Open Primary?
Elections in which registered party members and non-members can vote to select a presidential candidate.
What is a Closed Primary?
Elections in which only registered party members can vote.
What is a Caucus?
A meeting of party members to select delegates that will back a particular primary candidate.
What is a General Election?
Elections held to determine which candidate will hold public office.
What is a Mid-term Election?
Elections that take place every other year during which there is no presidential contest.
What is Incumbency Advantage?
The benefit a current office holder has going into an election, due to factors such as name recognition and campaign finance.
What is the Electorate?
The people who are entitled to vote in an election.
