AP Gov Unit 5: Political Participation

People that go to the polls and cast votes for candidates seeking political office

Voter who examines an issue or candidate, promises, or platforms, and consciously votes a way that seems to most benefit the voter (includes single-issue voters)

When a voter considers the track-record of a candidate/incumbent (for example, examines accomplishments/shortcomings of previous terms)

When a voter considers how a candidate’s initiatives might alter their lives in the future

When a voter votes “down the line” for a particular party, regardless of the candidate (most common!!)

How many people actually voted in an election and why/why not (affected by structural barriers, political efficacy, voter registration laws, voter apathy, election type, etc.)

Enrollment into electorate, usually reserved for those who are at least 18, are a citizen, resident of where they’re voting, and are a non-felon

Used when voter is unable to make it to the polls…. ballot is mailed to vote, filled out, then returned by mail

Absentee voting type that doesn’t require a “good excuse” to receive a form

Laws that require voters to present some form of ID at the voting booth, typically a drivers license (supported most by conservatives)

Voter ID laws, structural barriers, voting penalties/fines

Channels that allow individuals to communicate their preferences to policy makers (e.g. political parties, interest groups, the media, etc.)

An organization that coordinates candidates to compete in a particular country's elections… members usually hold similar ideas about politics and promote specific ideological or policy goals

A written list of beliefs and political goals of a given party… formed by party leaders and views of supporters, usually aligned with a particular ideology

A gathering of party leaders to establish a platform

Laws at the national and state level that limit how much donors can contribute to a campaign

When the candidate comes from outside the party system, usually as a result of accomplishments in other fields OR when a candidate has such a strong personality they easily reshape their party’s beliefs

Changes in party ideology as a result of changes in underlying forces… occurs becase a party is thoroughly defeated and/or large swaths of voters switch allegiances

Voting for political parties instead of a candidate, after which each party selects reps to fill seats based on percentages… not what the US has, but many democracies around the world follow this system

Whatever candidate receives the most votes in the general election receives all of that state’s electoral votes… Maine and Nebraska are only exception

Minor parties outside the typical two-party system, often centered around a specific issue or candidate… very narrow success

Single-member districts, money and ballot access, winner-take-all voting, devaluation due to major parties incorporating third party ideology into platforms…

The act of applying pressure to influence governments… achieved through iron triangles, issue networks, and direct/indirect lobbying

Groups formed around a single issue, like abortion or gun rights

The sitting president usually gets to skip the first three steps of the election process and has the advantage in their party to be nominated during the primary

A simple electoral process where people vote for the candidate they wish to represent their party in the general election… open means voters don’t have to declare support for a party, closed means they do

Voters meet with other like-minded voters to listen to endorsements, discuss candidates, and then ultimately vote for a candidate at the end of the process

Stage where candidates kick their campaigns into full gear

A group of delegates representing the 50 states (plus Washington DC) that formally elects the President based on the results of the general election

A law that regulated soft money donations and allowed for more hard money donations. Also made it illegal for PACs to pay for and place ads 60 days before election day

Groups of people that fund and donate to campaigns… usually restricted in some way, except for super PACs

Type of journalism in which reporters dig into stories to expose gov’t corruption, failures, or other stories

A type of media reporting in which “experts” give their opinions and interpretation of political events

News organization that represent and report from a particular ideological base

Conservative group published extended attack ad within 60 days of an election, violating the BCRA law. SCOTUS ruled that this was protected because Citizens United was considered an individual and therefore the gov’t couldn’t censor its speech. Basically says that people with the most money have the loudest voice and corporations can spend as much as they want towards campaigns.

Chief strategist and spokesperson for a particular political party, usually a non-gov’t person

Number of non-pledged delegates that can vote for any candidate, regardless of primary results

Type of electoral system in the US in which the candidate who wins the most votes wins the office

A multitude of views that ultimately results in a consensus on some issues

Inequality of political/economic resources, structural barriers, unequal access to decision makers, free rider problem

Formed as a result of the Citizens United case… can be made by anyone, collect money from anyone, have no limits on donations, but cannot directly coordinate with candidates

Former policy that required radio and TV broadcasters to present altered viewpoints… it was repealed, which has led to even more partisanship of media

Media outlets with a specific political and targeted audience

Opinionated articles that reveal the publication’s view or opinion on an issue

Type of journalism where facts and opinions are used to discuss political events

Press acting as a “watchdog” towards the government—continually questioning their actions, looking for corruption, scandals, inefficiencies, etc.

Donations towards political parties where the donor is unknown

PAC separate from official organization funded through donations from its members, formed because corps. and other unions/organizations can’t use money form their treasuries to influence elections

PAC that isn’t connected to any organization but are formed around a single issue, usually funded by public donations

Nonconnected PAC formed by former or current elected officials for other candidate’s campaigns

Money given directly to a candidate

Money given to a party or interest group, harder to regulate… reform was needed to control this so BCRA was enacted

Hiring professional consultants, showcasing candidate through media, using social media, developing a slogan and logo, mobilizing members of their coalition, defining the opponent, using tracking polls, etc

Independent regulatory agency whose purpose is to enforce campaign finance laws

When electors in the electoral college go against the popular vote

States retain importance in electing POTUS, candidates must campaign in all states, guarantees consensus POTUS with broad support, states keep power if election goes into House and Senate

Candidate can win popular vote and not electoral vote, electoral vote strength is higher per capita in smaller states, winner-take-all system discourages those who voted for the runner-up, delegations can vote independently of their states if it goes to House and Senate

Process in which a candidate gauges public interest in their candidacy, usually through media/polling

Invisible primary, primary/caucuses, party conventions, general election, electoral college

Type of interest group that lobbies both employers and politicians for better wages, working conditions, etc.

Opposite of a labor union, in which businesses create an interest group to obey on behalf of employers

AKA indirect lobbying. When an interest group tries to inform, persuade, and mobilize large numbers of people

A public expression of support; can influence how voters may vote in an upcoming elections

Less funding, fewer members, less political connections which makes it difficult to influence Congress

Little regulation, can often flood media with biased messages, can affect electoral outcomes and approval ratings, can harm people outside that particular group

Religious beliefs, gender, race, ethnicity, etc.

Times/locations for elections, format of acceptable ballot, voter registration standards, certification of results

Calendar date for elections, application of amendments/legislation, enforces campaign rules

Washington D.c. gets electors

No poll taxes

18 year olds get the vote