15th Amendment

Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race.

17th Amendment

Establishes direct election of U.S. senators by voters.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

24th Amendment

Bans poll taxes in federal elections.

26th Amendment

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Prospective Voting

Voting based on what a voter thinks a candidate will do in the future.

Retrospective Voting

Voting based on how a voter thinks an incumbent has performed in the past.

Rational Choice Voting

Voting based on what benefits the voter personally.

Party‑Line Voting

Voting only for candidates from one political party.

Voter Turnout

The percentage of eligible voters who actually vote.

Compulsory Voting

A system where citizens are required by law to vote.

Linkage Institution

A structure that connects people to the government (e.g.

Political Party

An organization that seeks to win elections and influence government.

Party Platform

A party's official positions and policy goals.

Party Convention

A meeting where a party formally nominates its presidential candidate.

Critical Election

An election that marks a major shift in political party alignment.

Direct Primary

Voters choose a party's nominee directly.

Open Primary

Any voter can choose which party's primary to vote in.

Closed Primary

Only registered party members can vote in that party's primary.

Caucus

A local meeting where party members choose delegates or candidates.

General Election

The election where voters choose officeholders.

Mid‑term Election

Elections held halfway through a president's term.

Incumbency Advantage

The benefits current officeholders have when running for re‑election.

Electorate

All eligible voters.

Electoral College

The system that formally elects the U.S. president.

Winner‑Take‑All System

The candidate with the most votes wins all of a state's electoral votes.

Proportional System

Seats or delegates are awarded based on the percentage of votes received.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A group that raises money to support candidates or causes.

Super PACs

Independent groups that can raise unlimited money but cannot coordinate with campaigns.

Hard Money

Direct

Soft Money

Unregulated donations to parties or outside groups.

Interest Group

An organization that tries to influence government policy.

Ideological Interest Group

A group focused on a specific set of beliefs or values.

Free‑Rider

Someone who benefits from a group's efforts without joining or contributing.

Lobbyist

A person who tries to influence lawmakers on behalf of an interest group.

Grassroots Support

Political action driven by ordinary citizens at the local level.

Mass Media

TV

Sound Bite

A short

Horse‑race Journalism

Media coverage that focuses on who's winning rather than issues.

Gatekeeper

The media's role in deciding which stories get attention.