Unit 3 Key Terms

Question 1

Suffrage

Answer 1

the right to vote for electing public officials

Question 2

Voter Efficacy

Answer 2

the feeling that an individuals political action does or can have an impact on the political process

Question 3

14th AMENDMENT in relation to voting rights

Answer 3

formerly enslaved people were given citizenship and established birthright citizenship which granted the right to vote to citizens (specifically POC)

Question 4

15th AMENDMENT in relation to voting rights

Answer 4

the right for U.S. citizens to vote and not being denied because of race, color, ethnicity etc.

Question 5

17th AMENDMENT in relation to voting rights

Question 6

24th AMENDMENT in relation to voting rights

Answer 6

Elimination of poll taxes

Question 7

26th AMENDMENT in relation to voting rights

Answer 7

Establishment of the national minimum age of 18 to participate in state/local election’s

Question 8

Structural barriers to voting

Answer 8

barriers that prevent people from voting / make voting difficult

Question 9

voter registration laws

Answer 9

system designed to reduce voter fraud which limit voting

Question 10

rational choice theory

Answer 10

someone voting in their best interest/supporting a candidate whose platform will give them the best outcome

Question 11

Retrospective voting

Answer 11

looks backward to consider candidates track records

Question 12

Prospective voting

Answer 12

citizens anticipate future/consider how candidates or proposed ballots initiatives might affect their lives or operation of government

Question 13

Party-line voting

Answer 13

citizens who affiliate with a political party or hold a strong party loyalty will likely vote with that party at most opportunity

Question 14

Split-ticket voting

Answer 14

when voter in an election votes for candidates from different political parties when multiple offices are being decided by a single election

Question 15

Voter turnout

Answer 15

the proportion of the voting-age public that casts ballot in any election

Question 16

Demographics

Answer 16

characteristics of population that include age, race, income etc.

Question 17

Electorate

Answer 17

a large percentage of Americans go to polls to cast a vote for the American President and other offices

Question 18

Linkage institutions

Answer 18

structure within society that connects people to the government or centralized authority (elections, political parties, interest groups and media)

Question 19

Political party

Answer 19

an organization that seeks political power by electing people to office so its positions and philosophy’s become the public policy

Question 20

Third parties (minor party)

Answer 20

a term used for political parties other than the 2 major parties (Republican and Democratic)

Question 21

Single issue party

Answer 21

a political party that’s campaign focuses on only 1 issue

Question 22

Party platform

Answer 22

set of principles /goals designed to address pressing political issues. Each party platform is broken into planks that speak on each specific issue

Question 23

Candidate-centered campaign

Answer 23

the candidate has most of the initiative and influence

Question 24

Interest groups

Answer 24

an organization of people with similar policy goals that try to influence the political process and try to achieve their goals

Question 25

Presidential Election

Answer 25

Every 4 years U.S. citizens vote for president and vice president