Unit 5

Question 1

Federal Voting Requirements

Answer 1

General Requirements: Be a U.S. citizen, Be at least 18 years old, Be a resident of the state in which you are voting

Question 2

Hill v. Stone (1975)

Answer 2

Overview: A Supreme Court case that dealt with restrictions on voting rights based on racial discrimination and how those restrictions violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The ruling reinforced that restrictions that impact minority voters need to be evaluated under stricter scrutiny.

Question 3

Split Ticket Voting

Answer 3

Definition: When a voter selects candidates from different political parties for different offices in the same election. For example, voting for a Republican for president and a Democrat for congress.

Question 4

Straight Ticket Voting

Answer 4

Definition: When a voter selects candidates from the same political party for all offices in an election. For example, voting entirely for Republican or Democrat candidates.

Question 5

Absentee Voting

Answer 5

Definition: A method that allows eligible voters to cast a ballot in an election without going to their designated polling place, usually because they are out of town or unable to attend in person. Absentee voting typically requires submitting a request in advance.

Question 6

Coattail Effect

Answer 6

Definition: A phenomenon where a popular candidate (usually for president) helps other candidates from the same party get elected to office. The “coattails” of the popular candidate help boost the votes for down-ballot candidates.

Question 7

Interest Groups

Answer 7

Definition: Organizations that attempt to influence government policy in favor of their interests. Examples include the National Rifle Association (NRA) or the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Question 8

Lobbying

Answer 8

Definition: The act of attempting to influence government decisions, particularly legislation, through direct contact with legislators or government officials.

Question 9

Grassroots Pressure

Answer 9

Definition: The effort by an interest group to influence public policy by mobilizing ordinary citizens (the “grassroots”) to contact their legislators, demonstrate, or sign petitions.

Question 10

Australian Ballot

Answer 10

Definition: A secret ballot system where voters cast their votes in private, preventing others from knowing their choices. This system is now standard in most U.S. elections.

Question 11

Difference Between Political Parties and Interest Groups

Answer 11

Political Parties: Organize to win elections, run candidates for public office, and influence the government.
Interest Groups: Focus on influencing public policy, but do not run candidates for office.

Question 12

Special Interest Groups

Answer 12

Definition: A type of interest group that focuses on advocating for specific issues, policies, or causes, such as the Sierra Club (environment) or the AARP (retirees).

Question 13

Political Parties

Answer 13

Definition: Organized groups that seek to gain control of government through the election of candidates to public office. Examples include the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

Question 14

Advocacy

Answer 14

Definition: The active support or argument for a cause or policy, often carried out by interest groups or political parties to influence public opinion or government action.

Question 15

Public Policy

Answer 15

Definition: The principles, laws, or regulations adopted or enacted by governments to address issues and concerns of the public.

Question 16

Caucuses

Answer 16

Definition: A meeting of members of a political party to select candidates or decide policy. In some states, caucuses are used to choose delegates for national party conventions.

Question 17

Primary Elections

Answer 17

Definition: Elections held to select a party’s candidate for the general election. There are two types:
Closed Primaries: Only registered party members can vote.
Open Primaries: Any registered voter can vote, regardless of party affiliation.

Question 18

Exploratory Committee

Answer 18

Definition: A group formed by a potential candidate to determine whether they should run for office. The committee typically raises money, conducts polls, and builds support.

Question 19

Multi-Party System

Answer 19

Definition: A political system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition. Found in countries like Italy or Germany.

Question 20

Third Parties

Answer 20

Third Parties: Minor political parties that are not one of the two major parties (Democrats and Republicans). Examples: Green Party, Libertarian Party.

Question 21

Splinter Parties

Answer 21

Definition: A party that has split from a major political party due to disagreements over policies or leadership.
Examples: Bull Moose Party (1912) - Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Party.
American Independent Party (1968) - George Wallace’s party advocating segregation.

Question 22

Ideological Parties

Answer 22

Definition: Political parties that are based on a set of comprehensive and coherent beliefs or ideologies.
Examples: Libertarian Party - Advocates for minimal government intervention in personal and economic affairs.
Communist Party - Advocates for the establishment of a socialist state with collective ownership of resources.

Question 23

Literacy Tests

Answer 23

Definition: A requirement that voters demonstrate the ability to read and write before they could vote. Used in the past to disenfranchise African American voters, particularly in the South.

Question 24

Voter ID

Answer 24

Definition: Laws that require voters to show a form of identification before they are allowed to vote. Critics argue that these laws can disenfranchise minority, elderly, and low-income voters.

Question 25

The Political Spectrum

Answer 25

Definition: A system used to categorize and compare different political ideologies. It ranges from left to right, with various positions in between.
Left: Generally supports government intervention in the economy, social equality, and progressive policies (e.g., liberalism, socialism).
Right: Generally advocates for free markets, individual liberties, and traditional values (e.g., conservatism, libertarianism).
Center: A balanced or moderate position, blending elements of both left and right.

Question 26

Left of the Spectrum

Answer 26

Economic Views: Support government regulation, higher taxes on the wealthy, and welfare programs.
Social Views: Advocate for progressive social policies like LGBTQ+ rights, environmentalism, and affirmative action.

Question 27

Right of the Spectrum

Answer 27

Economic Views: Support free-market capitalism, lower taxes, and deregulation of businesses.
Social Views: Emphasize traditional family values, law and order, and limited government intervention in social matters.

Question 28

Where Do Most Americans Lay on the Political Spectrum?

Answer 28

Most Americans tend to fall in the center of the political spectrum, with some leaning slightly left or right. This is known as the moderate position.

Question 29

Midterm Election

Answer 29

Definition: Elections held every two years, between presidential elections, where voters elect members of Congress (House and Senate) and some state and local offices.

Question 30

Democratic-Republicans

Answer 30

Definition: A political party in the early U.S. (1790s–1820s), led by Thomas Jefferson. They advocated for states’ rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and an agrarian economy.

Question 31

Whigs

Answer 31

Definition: A political party active in the 1830s–1850s, formed in opposition to Andrew Jackson and the Democrats. They favored a strong legislative branch and modernization.

Question 32

Federalists

Answer 32

Definition: One of the first political parties in the U.S., led by Alexander Hamilton. They favored a strong central government, a national bank, and policies that supported industrialization.

Question 33

Democratic Party in the 1800s

Answer 33

Overview: The Democratic Party, in the 19th century, was associated with the common man, westward expansion, and limited federal government. Andrew Jackson’s presidency marked the rise of the Democratic Party.

Question 34

Green Party

Answer 34

Definition: A third party in the U.S. that focuses on environmental issues, social justice, and nonviolence. It advocates for policies like combating climate change, reducing corporate power, and promoting grassroots democracy.

Question 35

Bull Moose Party

Answer 35

Definition: A third party formed by Theodore Roosevelt in 1912 after he failed to win the Republican nomination. The party advocated for progressive reforms, including women’s suffrage, direct election of senators, and social welfare programs.

Question 36

Legislative Branch

Answer 36

Makes Laws

Question 37

Executive Branch

Answer 37

Enforces Laws

Question 38

Judicial Branch

Answer 38

Interprets Laws