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