Political Participation
What amendments protect and enhance voting rights and privilege?
15th, 19th, 24th
Voter Turnout; Why don’t people vote?
They feel like their vote does‘t matter or count, they’re uninformed, they don’t care, or they are traveling overseas or sick/disabled.
What are Linkage Institutions?
Media, interest groups, pacs, political parties
What is an open primary?
Any registered voter is allowed to participate in.
How can 3rd parties impact electoral college?
If they manage to steal a states electoral votes and stop a candidate from getting to the magic number.
For voting types; what is Rational Choice voting?
Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen‘s individual interest.
Voter Turnout; What are some flaws in the system?
Takes place on a work day, long lines and limited voting options; 28 states have passed restrictions on voting in their states.
How do Linkage Institutions influence voting?
It is how we get connected to the government and how we get information on how or what the government is doing.
What is a closed primary?
ONly voters of that political party are allowed to vote.
Where do 3rd parties fall on the political spectrum?
Everywhere, extrem liberal, extreme conservative, and everything in the middle, can be anyone.
Voting Types; What is Retrospective voting?
Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past.
What are Voter Registration Laws?
Each state gets to make their own, their own deadlines for when you must register.
What are super pacs?
Soft money, doesn’t go to the candidate, there are no limits.
What is the Incumbent advantage?
Where they don’t have to pay for stamps to mail out flyers, name recognition, track record and voting record, show citizens what they have already done.
What is a 3rd partied influence of special interests?
Not a ton, they don‘t want to spend money on candidates they don’t think can win.
Voting Types; Prospective voting?
Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future.
How do states prevent voting by certain demographics?
By putting poll taxes in and literacy tests
Hard vs. Soft money?
Hard is traceable, soft goes to president
What is another name for Incumbent advantage?
Franking Privilege
What is a campaign managers role?
They run the election pretty much. They do the fundraising, travel, debates, interviews, they set up and organize everything that the candidate does on a daily basis.
Voting Types; What is Party Line?
Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public officers across the ballot.
What is Midterms vs. Presidential Elections?
Midterm is cheaper and less money is spent, less people vote, only deals with state and local topics.
How are personal donations easier to use?
It is like soft money, they can do what they want with it.
What are some barriers against 3rd parties?
Typically very small platform, very limited fundraising
What is Citizens United vs. FEC?
Supreme Court case that overturned the McCain Feingold Act - ruled businesses have the same freedom of expression and rights as a citizen does.