AP Gov Unit 3 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What are 527s and 501(c)(4)s?

A 527 organization is a tax-exempt group organized to influence elections; a 501(c)(4) is a tax-exempt organization for social welfare.

Ballot measures include and .

initiatives, referendums

What principle was established in the case Baker v. Carr?

One person, one vote.

What did the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 accomplish?

It banned soft money contributions to national political parties. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of Buckley v. Valeo?

The court ruled that spending money in support of or opposition to a candidate is free speech. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Campaign Reform Act of 1974 establish?

It created the FEC and set contribution limits. Signup and view all the answers

Who is a campaign manager?

The individual who coordinates the campaign and travels with the candidate. Signup and view all the answers

What was the ruling in LULAC v. Perry (2006)?

Part of the Texas redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act. Signup and view all the answers

What is casework in the context of Congress?

Activities that help constituents as individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of Citizens United v. FEC?

It ruled corporations and unions can spend money independently in elections as free speech. Signup and view all the answers

What is the coattail effect?

The boost candidates may receive due to the popularity of candidates above them on the ballot. Signup and view all the answers

What role do delegates play?

They vote based on their constituents' preferences. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electoral College?

Representatives of each state who formally elect the president. Signup and view all the answers

What is the franking privilege?

Benefit allowing members of Congress to mail materials postage-free. Signup and view all the answers

What does racial gerrymandering entail?

The practice of redistricting to dilute minority voting power. Signup and view all the answers

What are majority/minority districts?

Districts designed to enhance minority representation. Signup and view all the answers

What is front loading in the electoral context?

The tendency of states to schedule early primaries. Signup and view all the answers

What case is associated with Shaw v. Reno?

It addressed issues of racial gerrymandering in districting. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

527s and 501(c)(4)s

527 organizations are tax-exempt under Section 527 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
Primarily aim to influence elections and candidate selections at local, state, and federal levels.
501(c)(4) organizations emerged from the Revenue Act of 1913, focused on social welfare.

Ballot Measures: Initiatives, Referendums

Initiatives allow citizens to propose legislation or constitutional amendments.
Referendums enable voters to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature.

Baker v. Carr

Landmark case establishing "one person, one vote" principle.
Requires that legislative districts have equal numbers of eligible voters to ensure equitable representation.

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002

Prohibited soft money contributions to national political parties; only "hard" money is permitted.
Introduced by Senators John McCain and Russ Feingold.
Set maximum individual contributions to campaigns at $2,700 (as of 2016).

Buckley v. Valeo

Ruling deemed that independent spending by individuals or political committees is a form of free speech.
Claimed such expenditures cannot be restricted under the First Amendment.

Campaign Reform Act of 1974

Established the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
Required disclosure of contributions over $100 and prohibited foreign contributions.
Introduced Political Action Committees (PACs) with a limit of $5,000 per candidate.
Allowed for federal matching funds in presidential primaries.

Campaign Staff Roles

Campaign Manager coordinates the overall campaign and travels with the candidate.
Consultant provides strategies and services to facilitate the candidate's election campaign.

LULAC v. Perry (2006)

Court ruled Texas's 2004 redistricting plan violated the Voting Rights Act by disadvantaging Hispanic voters.
Affirmed the ability to partisan gerrymander during mid-cycle legislative changes.

Casework

Involves congressional activities that assist individual constituents, often involving navigating bureaucracy to aid rights or services.

Citizens United v. FEC

Supreme Court decided corporations and unions can exercise free speech through independent political expenditures.
Overturned previous restrictions on corporate spending established by Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and McConnell v. FEC.

Coattail Effect

Refers to the electoral advantage candidates gain from the popularity of leading candidates, particularly presidential candidates.

Delegates

Elected representatives who vote in a manner reflecting the wishes of their constituents over personal beliefs.

Electoral College

A body of representatives from each state that formally elects the president.

Franking Privilege

Allows members of Congress to send mail and materials without incurring postage costs.

Racial Gerrymandering

Prohibits the division of minority votes to dilute their political power.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 forbids creating districts based solely on race, labeling such actions unconstitutional.

Majority/Minority Districts

Often created to manage electoral outcomes, potentially leading to packing minorities into specific districts to minimize their overall influence.
Republicans are often identified as instrumental in promoting this practice.

Front Loading

Refers to the trend of states scheduling their primary elections earlier in the nomination calendar to gain influence.

Shaw v. Reno

A significant Supreme Court case addressing the constitutionality of racially motivated redistricting.
Further defined the parameters for drawing electoral district boundaries based on racial demographics.

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Description

This quiz features flashcards for Unit 3 of AP Government, focusing on 527 organizations and 501(c)(4) groups. Test your knowledge on how these organizations influence elections and public office candidates in the United States.