Unit 4 and 5 Flashcards
Voter Registration Laws
Regulations governing how individuals can register to vote, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Primaries and Caucuses
Primaries: Elections where party members vote to select their party’s nominee.
Caucuses: Local gatherings for party members to discuss and vote for candidates.
Voter Turnout
The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election.
Factors Influencing: Age, education, election type, and voter registration laws.
Electoral College
A system used to elect the president, consisting of 538 electors.
Majority Requirement: A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win.
Super PACs
Political action committees that can raise and spend unlimited funds independently of candidates.
Role: Influence elections through advertising and mobilization.
Soft Money
Unlimited contributions to political parties for general activities, now largely restricted.
Use: Party-building efforts and voter outreach.
Hard Money
Regulated donations given directly to candidates for their campaigns.
Limitations: Subject to strict contribution limits and reporting requirements.
Party Realignment
Definition: A major shift in the political landscape, often associated with critical elections.
Impact: Changes in party coalitions and voter support.
Interest Groups
Definition: Organizations that seek to influence public policy and promote specific causes or issues.
Types: Economic (business, labor) and public interest groups.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
Definition: Organizations that collect and distribute funds to candidates to influence elections.
Limits: Subject to contribution limits and regulations.
Agenda Setting
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.
Exit Polls
Definition: Surveys of voters conducted as they leave polling places, used to predict election outcomes.
Importance: Can provide insights into voter behavior and preferences.
Swing States
States where both major political parties have similar levels of support among voters, making them key targets in elections.
Voter Turnout
The percentage of eligible voters who actually cast their ballots in an election.
Voter Registration Laws
Regulations governing how individuals can register to vote, including deadlines and eligibility requirements.
Party Realignment
A significant shift in the political landscape, often associated with changes in party support and coalitions.
Critical Elections
Definition: Elections that lead to significant and lasting shifts in political party alignment.
Examples: Elections of 1860 and 1932.
Incumbency Advantage
The benefits that current officeholders have when running for re-election, including name recognition and access to resources.
Political Socialization
The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values, influenced by factors like family, education, and media.
Public Opinion
The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on political issues, which can influence policy and elections.
Political Ideology
A set of beliefs about the role of government and individual rights, often categorized as liberal, conservative, or moderate.
Liberalism
A political ideology that emphasizes individual rights, social justice, and government action to achieve equality.
Conservatism
A political ideology that values tradition, limited government, and free markets, emphasizing personal responsibility.
Individualism
A political ideology that prioritizes individual liberty and minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters.
Public Opinion Polling
The practice of surveying individuals to gauge their opinions on various issues, often used to predict election outcomes and understand public sentiment.
