Chapter 10 Key Terms Flashcards
Legitimacy
A characterization of elections by political scintists meaning that they are almost universally accepted as a fair and free method of selecting political leaders.
Referendum
A state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment
Initiative petition
A process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in state constitution to a vote if sufficient signitures are obtained on petitions calling for such referendum
Suffrage
The legal right to vote, extended to african americans by the fifteenth amendment, to women by the nineteenth amendment, and to people over the age of 18 by the twenty-sixth amendment
Political efficacy
The belief that one’s political participation really matters-that one’s vote can actuallly make a difference.
Civic duty
The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should always vote
Voter registration
A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of election day
Motor voter act
Passed in 1973, this act went into effect for the 1996 election. It requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for their driver’s license.
Mandate theory of elections
The idea that the winning candidate has mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics.
Policy voting
Electoral choices that are made on the basis of the voters’ policy preferences and on the basis of where the candidates stand on policy issues.
Electoral college
A unique american institution, created by the constitution, providing for the selection of the president by electors chosen by the state parties.
Retrospective voting
A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask this simple question: “what have you done for me lately?”
