Back to AI Flashcard MakerPolitical Science /AP Gov: Unit 2 Vocab (PT 2) Part 1
AP Gov: Unit 2 Vocab (PT 2) Part 1
This deck covers key concepts and terminology from Unit 2 of AP Government, focusing on the electoral process, voting rights, and election-related amendments.
Rational Choice Voting
Assumes that political actors will make decisions based on their own benefit, carefully weighing all choices.
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
Rational Choice Voting
Assumes that political actors will make decisions based on their own benefit, carefully weighing all choices.
Plurality Election
Whoever gets the MOST votes wins (not necessarily a majority).
Nomination
Party rallies and chooses one candidate for an office to compete against the other parties.
Primary Elections
Elections within the party where voters help determine the nomination leading up to the national convention.
Caucus
Meetings within the party where voters help determine the nomination leading up to the national convention.
Open Primary
Voters may determine on election day the primary in which they will participate due to the lack of registration for political party.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
Rational Choice Voting | Assumes that political actors will make decisions based on their own benefit, carefully weighing all choices. |
Plurality Election | Whoever gets the MOST votes wins (not necessarily a majority). |
Nomination | Party rallies and chooses one candidate for an office to compete against the other parties. |
Primary Elections | Elections within the party where voters help determine the nomination leading up to the national convention. |
Caucus | Meetings within the party where voters help determine the nomination leading up to the national convention. |
Open Primary | Voters may determine on election day the primary in which they will participate due to the lack of registration for political party. |
Closed Primary | Voters register for a political party and may only participate in that party's primary. |
McGovern-Frasier Commission | Reformed the nomination process for the Democratic party resulting in a more transparent, representative process based today primarily on the result of primary elections. |
Super Delegate/Automatic Delegate | Person guaranteed a vote at the national convention that is not tied to the results of the caucus/primary within the state (element of elitism). |
New Hampshire Primary | First primary of the election season. |
Iowa Caucus | First caucus of the election season. |
Frontloading | Phenomenon of holding the primary and caucus competitions earlier and earlier in the season. |
Electoral College | Created as a check to the popular vote, this group will determine the presidency, voters cast a ballot for an elector chosen by the party who will then cast an official ballot for the presidency, requires 270 to win. |
Electoral Mandate | The perception that an election victory signals broad support for the winner's proposed policies. |
Initiative Petition | State allows voters to propose legislative/constitutional changes. |
Referendum | State allows voters to approve legislative/constitutional changes. |
Voter Registration | Requires voters to register prior to the election though a few states allow on the spot registration, barriers such as time limits and id requirements will limit voter turnout. |
Motor-voter Law | Federal law requiring states to offer voter registration at the time of drivers license renewal. |
Legitimacy Theory of Elections | A characterization of elections by political scientists meaning that they are almost universally accepted as a fair and free method of selecting political leaders. |
Suffrage | Right to vote for citizens. |
15th Amendment | Constitutional amendment that states race cannot be used as a qualification for voting. |
19th Amendment | Constitutional amendment that states gender cannot be used as a qualification for voting. |
23rd Amendment | Constitutional amendment that grants electoral votes for Washington DC. |
24th Amendment | Constitutional amendment that eliminations of poll taxes as a requirement for voting. |
Voting Rights Act | Law eliminating literacy tests and grandfather clauses in the election process. |