Ap Flashcards

8874013475	Suffrage	Legal right to vote 15th amemendent - African Americans 18th Amendment - Women 26th amendment - 18 year olds	0
8874013476	Legitimacy	Fair and free way of selecting political leaders.	1
8874013477	Referendum	A state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment	2
8874013478	initiative petition	in some states voters may get signatures to put a referendum on the ballot	3
8874013479	political efficacy	The belief that one's political participation makes a difference.	4
8874013480	civic duty	The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should always vote.	5
8874013481	voter registration	a system adopted by the states that requires voters to register prior to voting Some states take registration on Election Day	6
8874013482	Motor Voter Act	Law that requires people to register to vote when they apply for a driver's license	7
8874013483	Mandate theory of elections	The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his platform Politicians like the theory, Political scientist do not	8
8874013484	policy voting	electoral choices that are made on the basis of the voters policy preferences and where canisters stand on issues	9
8874013485	Electoral College	a unique American institution providing for the selection of the president by electors	10
8874013486	retrospective voting	"What have you done for me lately"	11
8874013487	3 types of elections	Primary - to select nominees General - select office holder Policy - to select policy issues	12
8874013488	2 ways to pass laws	Referendum	13
8874013489	Election of 1800	First Peaceful transfer of power No primary's, conventions, or speeches	14
8874013490	Why do we have a electoral college	Rise of political party's 12th Amendment Election of 1800	15
8874013491	Election 1896	A bitter fight over economic interest Democrats - silver Republicans - gold McKinley campaigned from home Jennings Bryan started to campaign	16
8874013492	Election of 2000	George W Bush vs. Al Gore. Florida had re-counts; Supreme Court made final decision (George Bush)	17
8874013493	Election of 2004	Dem. John Kerry (Senator from Mass) Rep. George W. Bush Intensity of 2004 election was because of 2000 election Was characterized by negative campaigning War on terror & moral values - key issues	18
8874013494	Registration to vote	Most register 90 days prior Laws are different by state	19
8874013495	Who are more likely to vote	Older people Caucasian's (Other races are higher with compatible education) Females Married couples Union members Higher educated (All traits are cumulative)	20
8874013496	Mandate theory of elections	The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his platform	21
8874013497	How do people generally vote	To the party they agree with	22
8874013498	What is the downfall to party's	Candidate centered campaigns Party's hold on votes declined since the 60's and 70s	23
8874013499	What voters are up for grabs	Independent voters not attached to a party (floater voters)	24
8874013500	What do candidates want for themselves	A good visual image Especially with integrity, reliability, and competence	25
8874013501	What plays a role in a candidates visual image	Personality, especially for candidates who are dishonest and incompetent	26
8874013502	Policy voting occurs when (2)	Voters know where they and the candidates stand Can spot differences between candidates	27
8874013503	Policy voting is unlikely because	Candidates are ambiguous (uncertain) in issues Media focuses on the horse race	28
8874013504	What are candidates today forced to do	Candidates today are forced to take a clear stand in primary elections to increase policy voting	29
8874013505	Electoral College	Actually elects the President Founders wanted to choose the president by the elite (educated)	30
8874013506	Who chooses electors in the electoral college	The states Winner take all system puts emphasis to more populated states	31
8874013507	What decides a States electors	It's 2 senators and representatives (538 total) Maine and Nebraska are different	32
8874013508	Who gets all the states electors	The winner of the popular vote (winner take all system)	33
8874013509	When do electors meet	Monday after the 2nd Wednesday of December	34
8874013510	When are the votes reported to the VP	January 6th	35
8874013511	What happens if a candidate doesn't get 270 majority votes	The house of representatives vote for the president with one vote going to each state	36
8874013512	What do elections provide citizens	Regular access to political power	37
8874013513	How many signatures does a person need to get for a proposed law	10% of the number of votes in the previous election	38
8874013514	In the 2004 election what were the candidates nicknames	Kerry - flip flopper Bush - reckless	39
8874013515	What key choices did voters face in the 2004 election	Either to vote or not Who to vote for	40
8874013516	Easiest ways to increase American turnout levels on election day	Move it to Saturday or make it a holiday	41
8874013517	Highest reason voter turnout is low	Requirement of voter registration	42
8874013518	Best way to predict a voters choice	Party identification	43
8874013519	Three reasons why people might vote	People weigh the benefits each party gives them People have high political efficacy Simply to support our democratic government	44
8874013520	4 conditions necessary for policy voting	Voters need a clean view on positions Voters must know where candidates stand See differences between candidates Most vote for a candidate with like positions	45
8874013521	Two reasons why electoral college is important	Introduces a bias Candidates focus on states where there is a close contest	46
8874013522	Two tasks elections accomplish	Select policy makers Help shape policy	47
8874013523	Flaws in the electoral college	Winner of popular vote might not win election Electors are not required to vote according to popular vote Election might have to be decided by house of reps	48
8874013524	What is the district plan	1 vote for each district based on there popular vote and winner of whole population of state get 2 senator votes Maine and Nebraska use this	49
8874013525	Advantages and disadvantages of district plan	Adv- don't need to change constitution -Does away with winner take all system Dis- winner of popular vote still might not win election -Gives third party's a bigger role -Increases Gerrymandering -Slows down the election process	50
8874013526	Proportional plan	Candidate receives same share of population (%) of electoral votes they receive in popular vote	51
8874013527	Advantages and disadvantages of proportional plan	Advantages- wouldn't change constitution Disadvantage- 3rd party's get a bigger role - odds that the election is sent to the house increases	52
8874013528	National bonus plan	Keeps electoral college and winner takes all system but a national pool of electoral votes (102) would be awarded to winner of popular vote	53
8874013529	Advantages and disadvantages of national bonus plan	Adv- guarantees victory to winner of popular election Dis- have to change the constitution - small states wouldn't like it - hasn't gained any support	54
8874013530	Direct population plan	Do away with electoral college and use popular vote	55
8874013531	Advantages and disadvantages of direct population plan	Adv- winner would always be majority choice Dis- candidates would only go to population centers of each state -would have to go change constitution -smaller states would oppose	56
8874013532	Why to keep the electoral college	It's a known process The flaws are identified already We know who the winner is quickly and certainly	57
8874013533	The greater the differences between candidates	The more likely voters will be able to steer gov policy This is unlikely because candidates do not always clarify on issues	58
8874013534	What happens to candidates who vow to continue popular policies	Are likely to win elections	59
8874013535	What makes politicians nervous	Bad economy's	60
8874013536	How does elections effect the scope of government	Voters feel they are sending a message	61