Unit 4 and 5

Question 1

Voter Registration Laws

Answer 1

Regulations governing how individuals can register to vote, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Question 2

Primaries and Caucuses

Answer 2

Primaries: Elections where party members vote to select their party’s nominee.

Caucuses: Local gatherings for party members to discuss and vote for candidates.

Question 3

Voter Turnout

Answer 3

The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.

Factors Influencing: Age, education, election type, and voter registration laws.

Question 4

Electoral College

Answer 4

A system used to elect the president, consisting of 538 electors.

Majority Requirement: A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.

Question 5

Super PACs

Answer 5

Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of candidates.

Role: Influence elections through advertising and mobilization.

Question 6

Soft Money

Answer 6

Unlimited contributions to political parties for general activities, now largely restricted.

Use: Party-building efforts and voter outreach.

Question 7

Hard Money

Answer 7

Regulated donations given directly to candidates for their campaigns.

Limitations: Subject to strict contribution limits and reporting requirements.

Question 8

Party Realignment

Answer 8

Definition: A major shift in the political landscape, often associated with critical elections.

Impact: Changes in party coalitions and voter support.

Question 9

Interest Groups

Answer 9

Definition: Organizations that seek to influence public policy and promote specific causes or issues.

Types: Economic (business, labor) and public interest groups.

Question 10

Political Action Committees (PACs)

Answer 10

Definition: Organizations that collect and distribute funds to candidates to influence elections.

Limits: Subject to contribution limits and regulations.

Question 11

Agenda Setting

Answer 11

Definition: The process by which the media and political leaders determine which issues are prioritized in public discourse.

Impact: Influences what topics are considered important by the public and policymakers.

Question 12

Exit Polls

Answer 12

Definition: Surveys of voters conducted as they leave polling places, used to predict election outcomes.

Importance: Can provide insights into voter behavior and preferences.

Question 13

Swing States

Answer 13

States where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, making them key targets in elections.

Question 14

Voter Turnout

Answer 14

The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their ballots in an election.

Question 15

Voter Registration Laws

Answer 15

Regulations governing how individuals can register to vote, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.

Question 16

Party Realignment

Answer 16

A significant shift in the political landscape, often associated with changes in party support and coalitions.

Question 17

Critical Elections

Answer 17

Definition: Elections that lead to significant and lasting shifts in political party alignment.

Examples: Elections of 1860 and 1932.

Question 18

Incumbency Advantage

Answer 18

The benefits that current officeholders have when running for re-election, including name recognition and access to resources.

Question 19

Political Socialization

Answer 19

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, influenced by factors like family, education, and media.

Question 20

Public Opinion

Answer 20

The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues, which can influence policy and elections.

Question 21

Political Ideology

Answer 21

A set of beliefs about the role of government and individual rights, often categorized as liberal, conservative, or moderate.

Question 22

Liberalism

Answer 22

A political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, social justice, and government action to achieve equality.

Question 23

Conservatism

Answer 23

A political ideology that values tradition, limited government, and free markets, emphasizing personal responsibility.

Question 24

Individualism

Answer 24

A political ideology that prioritizes individual liberty and minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters.

Question 25

Public Opinion Polling

Answer 25

The practice of surveying individuals to gauge their opinions on various issues, often used to predict election outcomes and understand public sentiment.