Redrawing the Lines (Redistricting)
This term describes the practice of drawing congressional districts to pack together voters of the same party to ensure a specific electoral outcome.
Gerrymandering
This is defined as an organization of people with shared policy goals who enter the policy process at several points to achieve them.
Interest Group
These organizations raise money from individuals and then distribute it as "hard money" contributions directly to candidates.
Political Action Committees (PACs)
The three corners of an "Iron Triangle" consist of an interest group, a bureaucratic agency, and _______________.
congressional committee
In Citizens United v. FEC, the Supreme Court ruled that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts is protected by this Amendment.
the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech)
This constitutional principle requires that congressional districts be drawn with approximately equal populations to ensure every citizen's vote carries the same weight.
"one person, one vote" (or equal protection)
This specific activity involves a group representative communicating directly with government officials to persuade them to support a policy.
Lobbying
This 1974 Act first required federal candidates to disclose exactly who contributed money to their campaigns.
Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)
In the Iron Triangle, interest groups provide this to members of Congress during an election year in exchange for friendly legislation.
electoral support or campaign donations
This shift in modern elections has decreased the role of political parties in managing campaigns while increasing the role of individual candidates.
candidate-centered campaigns
A major consequence of gerrymandering is that it makes general elections less competitive, often leading to an increase in this.
Polarization
Unlike political parties, interest groups do not do this, though they may support those who do.
Run candidates for office or try to win elections
Created following Citizens United, these groups can raise unlimited funds as long as the money is used for independent expenditures and not given to a candidate.
Super PACs
Within the triangle, bureaucratic agencies provide what things to interest groups.
low regulation or special favors
Modern candidates rely heavily on these professionals to help adjust and curate their public image for the media.
professional consultants
This landmark 1962 case established that unevenly distributed representation in rural vs. urban districts denied citizens "equal protection under the law."
Baker v. Carr
Organizations like the NRA or MADD, which represent members who focus their intense advocacy efforts on one specific cause or narrow policy area, are known as this.
Single-issue interest groups
This is the name for political donations that are strictly regulated by law and come from individuals or PACs.
hard money
Critics of this system argue it is problematic because it encourages a goal of competing for power rather than pursuing this.
public good or general welfare
This federal agency was specifically formed to regulate elections and candidate spending.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
In this 1993 case, the Supreme Court ruled that redistricting based primarily on race—known as racial gerrymandering—was unconstitutional.
Shaw v. Reno
To educate members of Congress, a green energy interest group might send a research report to a congressional office. What function is this interest group fulfilling?
Providing interest-specific information to lawmakers
This 2002 law, also known as McCain-Feingold, aimed to eliminate "soft money" contributions to national political parties.
Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)
In the triangle relationship, Congress provides this to bureaucratic agencies.
funding or authority to make/enforce regulations
This form of lobbying involves interest groups encouraging regular citizens or members to contact their legislators directly.
grassroots lobbying