Elections and Political Participation Vocabulary

19th Amendment (1920)

Gave women the right to vote

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Election Day

Occur every two years, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

Closed Primary

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote

General Election

An election held to choose which candidate will hold office...candidates are members of opposing political parties.

What is the most important factor in predicting whether an individual votes?

Education Level

Open primary

Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.

15th Amendment (1870)

States cannot deny any person the right to vote because of race.

Iowa Caucus

The first caucus of the presidential campaign season, which is closely watched and strongly contested.

National Convention

The meeting of party delegates every four years to choose a candidate for president/vice president and write the party's platform.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War, including literacy tests

Caucus

party members select the best candidate through a series of discussions and votes

Incumbent

the current officeholder, running for reelection

How often are federal elections held?

every 2 years