Citizenship, Voting and Amendments

The Bradley Effect is a situation where voters don't admit the truth when they are polled about their preferences, which means that the polls don't accurately predict election outcomes.

False

The minimum wage is classified as a "valence" issue because all voters want it to be higher.

False

Naturalization Process

Enter US legally, 18 years old or older, live in the US for 5 years, pass a test on american history, read write and speak English, take an oath of alligence.

Geography is almost universally a dominant factor in helping voters decide which candidates are really "their kind of people.

False

In recent years a lot of evidence has emerged that the two main American political parties are becoming less and less opposed to each other, which is known as "decreasing polarization

False

Political scientists have determined that the more informed the electorate is, the more party loyalty matters to the way they vote.

False

What was the purpose of the Voting Rights Act of 1965

It can increase voter participation

Plurality rule is efficient, almost always producing a winner. What other key effect does it have on the American political landscape?

It focuses on two party systems

What is needed to make sure that this "elections hold candidates accountable" system works?

So we can have the right decisions

16th Amendment

Allows the federal government to collect income tax

Which amendments expand the right to vote? And what groups rights to expand?

Amendment 15- Black Women Amendment 19- Women Amendment 26- 18 year olds

22nd Amendment

Amendment that created a 2 term limit on presidents.

According to the Constitution, what day can be set by Congress but needs to be "the same throughout the United States?

Any day

citizenship

1) Law of soil 2) Law of Blood

Which amendment changed the process of electing the President, but still kept to an indirect selection process?

12th amendment

What are the qualifications for voting today

18 years old Resident of state US citizen Register (except north dakota)

Changes in Immigration

1880s: immigrants began taking American jobs so U.S. passed laws restricting immigration 1920s: Quota System passed to restrict the number of immigrants each year

Which Amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th amendment

States can decide the boundaries of Congressional election districts, but NOT the number of representatives in Congress a state will have. Why can't they determine the number?

Because it is based on the states population

Define polling places.

A place where voters vote

What is a precinct?

A voting district

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

How many of the 50 states are "winner take all" when it comes to Presidential elections?

About 48 out out 50 states

How is buying a used car an example of adverse selection?

Because we can get all the info we need

Give an example of a state that allows voters to participate in public referendums on individual issues.

California

20th Amendment

Congress begins on January 30th; President starts on January 20th "Lame-duck" Amendment

What are the limits on voting?

Convicted of a felony Mentally disturbed Don't meet state requirements for voting

14th Amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators

Duties vs. Responsibilities

Duty is a moral commitment to something or someone, whereas responsibility is a condition of being responsible.

What are two common restrictions on voting that states often enact?

Felonies and can't vote more than once

19th Amendment (1920)

Gave women the right to vote

Losing citizenship

Give it up, denationalization, treason

23rd Amendment

Gives Washington DC electoral college votes as if it were a state (DC still has no representation in Congress)

What does it mean when you Absentee Vote?

If you know you will not be able to make it to the polls.

How do elections, in theory at least, make candidates more accountable to the voters?

It makes things more competitive

Define Apathy and how can that hurt the American Representation System?

Lack of interest- most people don't vote

Rights

Legal entitlement to have or obtain something in a certain way , Religion voting and Open Business

Naturalization

Legal process by which an immigrant becomes a US citizen

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Who are poll watchers?

Party members who watches to see if election is conducted fairly

How were African Americans prevented from exercising their right to vote before the 1960s? Define each one?

Poll taxes Literacy tests Grandfather clause

25th Amendment

Presidential Succession; Vice Presidential Vacancy; Presidential Inability

18th Amendment

Prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages

11th Amendment

Prohibits citizens of one state or foreign country from suing another state.

21st Amendment

Repeal of Prohibition

Citizen

The 14th amendment defines a US citizen as anyone who is born or naturalized in the United States

What kind of political party almost never wins in U.S. elections?

The conservative party

Where can you find most of the important rules that determine how elections must be carried out?

The constitution

What dominates in most elections instead of "majority rule," and what does it mean?

The elections

Restrictions

U.S. restricts the number of immigrants each year

Why is it very important that you vote?

Voice a opinion of government officials

What is a ballot and what are the two ways that people can cast their vote?

The list of candidates on which you cast your vote, Paper or machine

What did the 24th Amendment outlaw, and what impact did that have on elections?

The outlawed poll taxes which let poor people vote

The Constitution has been changed to allow for the direct election of whom?

The senators

What determines how candidates get on the ballot so they can attempt to be elected?

The state laws

Civic Duties

The things that citizens must do: obey the law, attend school, pay taxes, serve in the Armed Forces, and appear in court.

If you vote for a candidate based on what you imagine the person will do in the future, you are doing "prospective voting."

True

In general, Americans are well-informed voters.

True

Party loyalty is often thought of as the single largest predictor of how a person will vote.

True

People who grew up during the Great Depression and formed a positive view of FDR tended to become, and to stay, Democrats

True

Senators and congressmen are much more likely than the average American to be millionaire college graduates.

True

Suppose that your senator has many times in the past voted to provide funding for more college loans. If you vote for him because of his record on this issue, you are engaged in "retrospective voting."

True

The three main issues political scientists identify as influencing voter behavior are party loyalty, candidate characteristics, and issues.

True

15th Amendment (1870)

U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed

How is voting both a Right and Responsibility

We are the ultimate rulers of our democracy

In American elections, voters usually vote for what instead of policies?

We choose representatives

What can trigger a run-off election?

You have to get the majority of the votes.

Alien

a citizen of another country

immigrant

a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country

13th Amendment

abolished slavery

27th Amendment

congressional pay raises are not begun until the next election

Civic Responsibilities

obligations of citizens to be active, peaceful, loyal and supportive of the community.

12th Amendment

separation of votes for President and Vice President

Define Straight Tickets

voted for a party you are apart of

Define Split Ticket.

voting for candidates of different parties for various offices in the same election