Chapter 10

Voter Apathy

The lack of interest among the citizens in participating in elections.

Suffrage

The legal right to vote.

Ballot

The list of candidates on which you cast your vote.

Incumbent

The official who holds an office

Winner-Take-All System

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins.

PAC (Political Action Committee)

An independent organization established by interest groups, political candidates, and people who hold office. PACs serve to raise and contribute money to the political campaigns of individuals whose platforms agree with the aims of the PAC.

26th Amendment

Changed the voting age from 21 to 18 (1971).

Federal Election Campaign Act (1971)

Enacted February 7, 1972; increased disclosure of contributions for federal campaigns-amended in 1974 to place legal limits on the campaign contributions.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote (1920).

Propaganda

Information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause.

Canvassing

Persuasion of voters in a political campaign.

Soft Money

Political contributions made in such a way as to avoid the United States regulations for federal election campaigns (as by contributions to a political action committee).

Initative

Process through which voters may propose new laws.

Exit Poll

Public opinion surveys used by major media pollsters to predict electoral winners with speed and precision.

Campaign

Several related operations aimed at achieving a particular goal (usually within geographical and temporal constraints).

Recall Election

A special election called by voters to remove an elected official before his/her term expires.

Polling Place

A place where voters go to cast their votes in an election.

Straight Ticket

A ballot cast by a voter who votes for all the candidates of one party.

Split Ticket

A ballot cast by a voter who votes for candidates from more than one.

Endorsement

A formal and explicit approval.

Australian Ballot

A government-printed ballot of uniform dimensions to be cast in secret that many states adopted around 1890 to reduce voting fraud associated with party-printed ballots cast in public (secret ballot).

Referendum

A legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate.

Absentee Ballot

A voting ballot submitted by mail before an election. Used if voters are unable to go to the polls on Election Day.

Eletorate

All the people who are eligible to vote.

15th Amendment

It stated that no one can be kept from voting because of " race, color, or previous condition of servitude." It gave all men of color the right to vote. It was ratified by the states in 1870.

National Voter Registration Act

This act was passed in 1993 and frequently called the "Motor Vehicle Act" is a piece of legislation that includes a provision that makes it possible to register to vote when applying for or renewing your drivers license.