unit 5 vocab

Question 1

This provision stated that the right of citizens to vote may notbe denied on account of race or color

Answer 1

15th amendment

Question 2

This provision changed the method of election for U.S. senators from state legislators to a popular vote

Answer 2

17th amendment

Question 3

This provision granted women’s suffrage.

Answer 3

19th amendment

Question 4

This provision eliminated the poll tax

Answer 4

24th amendment

Question 5

This provision lowered the voting age to 18

Answer 5

26th amendment

Question 6

Voting for a candidate based on campaign promises and a belief that he or she will bring about positive change

Answer 6

prospective voting

Question 7

Voting for a candidate based on the approval of his or her past actions in office

Answer 7

retrospective voting

Question 8

Voting for a candidate based on an individual’s best interests, weighing the pros and cons of alternative options

Answer 8

rational choice voting

Question 9

Voting for a candidate based on party loyalty.

Answer 9

party line voting

Question 10

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

Answer 10

voter turnout

Question 11

Requirement that all eligible citizens vote in elections

Answer 11

compulsory voting

Question 12

The means through which people’s concerns and interests become political issues on the government’s policy agenda. For example: political parties, interest groups, media, and elections

Answer 12

linkage institutions

Question 13

A group of like-minded citizens who organize to win elections, hold office, and determine public policy

Answer 13

political party

Question 14

A political party’s statement of its beliefs, goals, and policy aims for the next four years.

Answer 14

party platform

Question 15

A meeting of party delegates every four years, where a party’s candidate is officially nominated and the platform is adopted.

Answer 15

party convention

Question 16

An election in which new issues emerge and voters shift party loyalty.

Answer 16

critical election

Question 17

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

Answer 17

direct primary

Question 18

Elections in which registered party members and non-members can vote to select a presidential candidate.

Answer 18

open primary

Question 19

Elections in which only registered party members can vote.

Answer 19

closed primary

Question 20

A meeting of party members to select delegates that will back a particular primary candidate.

Answer 20

caucus

Question 21

Elections held to determine which candidate will hold public office

Answer 21

general election

Question 22

Elections that take place every other year during which there is no presidential contest.

Answer 22

mid term election

Question 23

The benefit a current office holder has going into an election, due to factors such as name recognition and campaign finance.

Answer 23

incumbency advantage

Question 24

The people who are entitled to vote in an election.

Answer 24

electorate

Question 25

The group of 538 individuals who ultimately elect the President of the United States every four years

Answer 25

electoral college

Question 26

An electoral system in which all votes are given to the candidate who comes in first in their constituency

Answer 26

winner take all system

Question 27

An electoral system that awards votes to a candidate as a percentage of the number of votes won in an election

Answer 27

proportional

Question 28

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group that raises and spends campaign money

Answer 28

PAC

Question 29

Citizens United v. FEC paved the way for these organizations, which are allowed to raise an unlimited amount of funds as long as they do not coordinate directly with candidates

Answer 29

super PAC

Question 30

Funding given directly to a candidate

Answer 30

hard money

Question 31

Funding given to political parties for party activities, as opposed to funding directed towards a specific candidate

Answer 31

soft money

Question 32

An organization of people sharing a common concern or goal that seeks to influence public policy

Answer 32

interest group

Question 33

Political organizations that appeal to members based on a coherent set of political convictions or interests.

Answer 33

ideological interest group

Question 34

An individual who does not join a group representing his or her interests yet receives the benefit of the group’s influence.

Answer 34

free rider

Question 35

Individuals who provide information and pressure legislators to pass laws that align with a particular agenda.

Answer 35

lobbyist

Question 36

A tactic of influencing government officials that involves utilizing large groups of members or the public to make phone calls, send letters, sign petitions, etc.

Answer 36

grassroots support

Question 37

Popular means of communication to reach a wide audience, such as television, radio, and the Internet

Answer 37

mass media

Question 38

A short radio or video clip lasting approximately 8-10 seconds

Answer 38

sound bite

Question 39

News coverage that focuses on who is ahead in the polls rather than the issues

Answer 39

horse race journalism

Question 40

The role of the media that can influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long.

Answer 40

gatekeeper