Political Science Voting Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is rational-choice voting?

Voting based on emotional attachment to a candidate.

Voting for candidates solely based on media influence.

Choosing candidates based on past performance.

Selecting party or candidates based on personal views and preferences. (correct)

What does prospective voting entail?

Making decisions influenced by recent political events.

Voting for the candidate who has performed best in the past.

Supporting a party without regard to individual candidates.

Choosing candidates based on their promises for the future. (correct)

Which statement best describes voter turnout in the United States?

It consistently exceeds turnout in all other major democracies.

It is lowest during presidential elections.

It tends to be lower in midterm and off-year elections. (correct)

It is highest during local elections.

What is a characteristic of straight-ticket voting?

Voting for all candidates from one political party on one ballot. Signup and view all the answers

What is political efficacy?

A citizen’s capacity to understand and influence political events. Signup and view all the answers

What significant voting right was established by the 15th Amendment?

Right to vote for adult Black males Signup and view all the answers

Which provision was introduced by the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Banned literacy tests nationwide Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the Americans with Disabilities Act as it pertains to voting?

Requires voting devices to be suitable for visually impaired individuals Signup and view all the answers

What did the 24th Amendment abolish?

Poll taxes Signup and view all the answers

What was a major goal of the Motor Voter Bill of 1993?

To simplify the voter registration process Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Required photo identification for voting Signup and view all the answers

What does the 26th Amendment guarantee?

Voting age lowered to 18 years Signup and view all the answers

Which action is considered a form of unconventional political participation?

Civil disobedience Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary election?

An election where party members vote for their preferred candidate Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes a closed primary?

Only registered party members can vote in that party's primary Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a caucus?

To socialize, discuss, and then choose a candidate Signup and view all the answers

How do delegates function in the presidential nomination process?

They represent candidates at the national convention based on primary and caucus outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between Winner-Take-All and Proportional primaries?

Winner-Take-All gives all delegates to the candidate with the most votes, while Proportional divides delegates based on vote percentages Signup and view all the answers

Why do New Hampshire and Iowa hold a special role in the presidential nomination process?

They are the first states to hold primaries and caucuses Signup and view all the answers

During what event is the party platform officially adopted?

National party convention Signup and view all the answers

What is a general election primarily intended for?

Determining who will hold public office Signup and view all the answers

What is a common requirement for voting in many states?

Proof of residency and identification Signup and view all the answers

How does felony conviction impact voting rights in many states?

It causes temporary or permanent disenfranchisement Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic group is most likely to vote according to the content?

Individuals with higher income and education Signup and view all the answers

What obstacle do some voters face on Election Day?

Election Day being a weekday Signup and view all the answers

How do women generally vote compared to men?

More often for the Democratic Party Signup and view all the answers

What has changed in some states regarding voting during the pandemic?

More drop boxes for returning ballots were provided Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes voter turnout by election type?

Higher turnout in presidential elections compared to others Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'exact match' law in Georgia aim to accomplish?

Disenfranchise voters through strict matching criteria Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Citizens United v. FEC (2010) decision bring to corporate political spending?

It treated corporations as individuals with free speech rights. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding the effects of the Citizens United decision on democracy?

It has led to a significant influx of money from wealthy individuals and corporations. Signup and view all the answers

How does the First Amendment protect the media in the United States?

By prohibiting government censorship and prior restraint. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about Super PACs is true?

Super PACs are able to raise unlimited amounts of money from corporations. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a long-term impact of treating corporations as individuals in the context of political donations?

It has created challenges for meaningful campaign finance reform. Signup and view all the answers

What is a coalition in the context of political parties and voters?

An alliance of political parties or interest groups working together Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic groups are reliably part of the Democratic coalition?

Racial/ethnic minorities and urban voters Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern regarding campaign finance?

Lack of transparency in campaign spending Signup and view all the answers

What does the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) require candidates to do?

Disclose all campaign contributions and expenditures Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court decide in Buckley v. Valeo (1976)?

Campaign spending is considered a form of speech protected by the First Amendment Signup and view all the answers

How does campaign financing impact politicians' time and energy?

They often spend significant time fundraising instead of serving constituents Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential negative effect of private campaign donations?

Encouraging corruption and favoritism towards donors Signup and view all the answers

What framework does the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) create?

A legal structure for Political Action Committees (PACs) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Linkage Institutions

Linkage institutions connect individuals to their government.
They translate public input into policy outputs.
They act as a bridge between the public and policymakers.
They ensure that public preferences are considered by the government.
Four examples are political parties, interest groups, media, and elections.

Political Parties

Political parties are groups of people with similar ideas about how government should function.
Parties organize individuals to influence government.
They help citizens express their opinions and influence policies.

Framers' View of Political Parties

Founding fathers did not favor political parties.
They feared parties would divide the nation and prioritize self-interest over the country's best interests.
The Constitution does not mention political parties.
The Electoral College and actions by leaders like Madison and Washington cautioned against parties.

Functions of Political Parties

Unite people with shared goals and opinions.
Recruit and select qualified candidates.
Assist candidates with fundraising and media.
Inform the public and motivate participation.
Simplify election choices.
Encourage voter registration and participation.
Develop party platforms and policies to attract support.

Two-Party System

A two-party system is when only two parties have a realistic chance of winning elections.
Explanations for the persistent two-party system include:
- Shared cultural values and beliefs reduce the need for more parties.
- Historical tradition established a two-party system.
- Major parties often co-opt ideas from third parties, diminishing their presence.
- Plurality system, single-member districts, and winner-take-all election laws hinder third parties.

Effects of Third Parties

Third parties can provide an outlet for those unhappy with the existing system.
They may influence the major parties by drawing attention to important issues.
They might increase voter participation.

Realignment and Critical Realigning Elections

Realignment is a substantial and long-lasting shift in political support.
Critical realigning elections represent significant shifts in party coalitions.
The 1932 election is considered a critical realigning election due to the lasting influence it had on the political landscape.

Regional Realignment

Regional realignment is a major shift in political support within specific regions of a country.
An example in recent decades, is the change in party loyalty among Southern voters

Unified and Divided Government

Unified government occurs when the same party controls both the executive and legislative branches.
Divided government occurs when one party controls the executive and another controls the legislature.

Primary Election

A primary election chooses candidates for each political party.

Open Primary

Open primaries allow any registered voter (regardless of party) to vote in any party’s primary.

Closed Primary

Closed primaries allow only registered party members to vote in their party's primary.

Caucus

Caucuses are meetings where party members select candidates.

General Election

A general election is the final election held to determine the winner of the office.

Presidential Nomination Process

Primaries and caucuses allow voters in each state to choose their preferred candidate.
Delegates are awarded based on primary and caucus victories.
Candidates consolidate support through a national convention.
The candidate with the majority of delegates wins the presidential nomination.

Roles of Interest Groups

Interest groups are groups sharing common goals influencing public policy.
They can include economic, public interest, or governmental groups.

Interest Group Activities

Lobbying involves direct contact with lawmakers.
Grassroots mobilization encourages citizen action.
Litigation utilizes the courts to achieve policy goals.
Public advocacy utilizes media campaigns to sway public opinion.

Free Rider Problem

The free-rider problem is when individuals benefit from a group's actions without contributing.
This can discourage group participation.

Forms of Political Participation

Voting is the most common form of political participation.
Other forms include contacting officials, campaigning, protesting, joining groups, and running for office.

The Fifteenth Amendment extended voting rights to Black men.
The Nineteenth Amendment extended voting rights to women.
The Twenty-fourth Amendment prohibited poll taxes.
The Twenty-sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.

Voting Rights Act (1965)

Banned discriminatory voting practices.
Required federal preclearance of voting changes in select areas.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)

Requires voting facilities to be accessible.
Voting materials and devices are adaptable for those with disabilities.

Motor Voter Act (1993)

Made voter registration easier by allowing it at motor vehicle agencies.

Help America Vote Act (HAVA) 2002

Ensured voter access to election materials and technology.
Implemented standards for election administration.

Political Efficacy

Political efficacy is the belief that one can influence politics.
Voter turnout is sometimes a reflection of political efficacy.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout refers to the percentage of eligible voters who participate in an election.
Turnout varies by election type and demographic factors.

Voting in Elections (and barriers)

Voter turnout differs between election types (presidential, midterm, etc.).
State laws, registration, and voter identification requirements affect voter turnout.
Access to voting opportunities varies significantly.

Likelihood of Voting

Voter likelihood varies with factors such as education, income, and ethnicity.
Women tend to vote slightly higher than men.
Income level or education level influences voter turnout in a way.
Voters tend to turnout more in presidential elections, than midterm or local elections.

Party Coalitions

Coalitions involve groups united under similar political views or groups sharing common interests.
They often rely on specific groups to support their agenda.
The composition of political party coalitions can change over time.

Campaign Finance

Campaign finance involves raising and disbursing funds for election campaigns.
Issues include money's influence on politics and limitations on contributions and spending.
Laws are intended to limit corruption and maintain the integrity of elections.

Political Action Committees (PACs)

PACs are organizations that raise and spend money to influence elections.

Citizens United v. FEC (2010)

This Supreme Court decision significantly altered campaign finance laws.
Corporate and union spending in elections is protected under the First Amendment.

First Amendment

The First Amendment protects free speech, including political speech.
This protection has implications for campaign finance and limitations.

Media Roles and Criticisms

Media performs watchdog, gatekeeper, and scorekeeper functions in American politics.
Criticisms include bias, oversimplification, emphasizing the trivial, and focusing on entertainment.

Anonymity's Role in Political Discourse

Anonymity, specifically online anonymity, allows individuals to express different opinions and engage in discussions which might not be possible otherwise.

Madison's Argument on Factions

Madison identified factions as groups aiming for self-interest, potentially hindering a stable political system.
He argued that the Constitution's structure and checks and balances would help mitigate the negative effects of factions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key voting concepts and rights in the United States. This quiz covers topics such as rational-choice voting, voter turnout, and significant amendments affecting the electoral process. Enhance your understanding of political participation and election mechanisms in American politics.