AP®︎ U.S. Government & Politics: Topic 5.2 Flashcards

The extent to which people entitled or able to participate in an election actually cast ballots

Ballots cast ÷ the specified population denominator × 100

Everyone age 18 or older, including people ineligible to vote; using it as the turnout denominator generally produces a lower percentage

People legally eligible to vote, excluding noncitizens and others barred by law; usually the best denominator for participation among eligible voters

Ballots cast as a percentage of registered voters; usually higher because eligible people who never registered are excluded

Institutional explanations emphasize election rules and access, while individual explanations emphasize voters’ characteristics, resources, attitudes, and choices

States set many registration and voting procedures while local governments commonly operate polling places and count ballots, producing policy variation among states

An institutional rule or practical condition that increases the time, effort, uncertainty, or expense required to vote

A procedure allowing an eligible citizen to register and vote during the voting period rather than meeting an earlier deadline

A system using information already given to a government agency to register eligible citizens unless they decline

Federal law requiring covered states to offer registration through driver’s-license and certain public-agency transactions and to provide mail registration for federal elections

State requirements that voters present specified identification, potentially increasing voting costs for eligible people who lack acceptable documents

Casting a ballot at a designated location before Election Day, expanding the available times for voting

Receiving and returning a ballot without appearing at an Election Day polling place

Casting and returning a ballot by mail rather than voting at an Election Day polling place

Turnout is generally higher in presidential elections because they receive more attention, mobilization, and perceived importance than midterms

The belief that political participation can matter

Confidence in one’s own ability to understand politics and participate effectively

The belief that government officials and institutions are responsive to ordinary citizens

Attention to and involvement in public affairs, such as following politics, discussing issues, or caring strongly about parties or policies

Campaign or organizational efforts that increase participation by supplying information, reminders, encouragement, or help with voting procedures

Turnout asks whether a person votes; voter choice asks which candidate or party the voter supports

A person’s psychological attachment to a political party and one of the strongest predictors of candidate choice

A voter’s general liberal, conservative, or moderate outlook, used to compare candidates and platforms with the voter’s own views

Turnout generally rises with age and is lowest among young adults

Higher educational attainment is strongly associated with higher voter turnout

Higher-income citizens generally vote at higher rates because they tend to have more resources that reduce participation costs

Turnout differences vary across elections and reflect eligibility, barriers, resources, political context, and mobilization rather than race or ethnicity alone

Women have generally voted at somewhat higher rates than men in recent national elections

Qualities such as experience, competence, character, leadership style, communication ability, background, and identity that can influence voter choice

Current issues and events that shape voter priorities and influence candidate choice

Religious beliefs and group affiliations can shape policy views, political information, mobilization, and voter choice

Age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, region, and related characteristics predict patterns of candidate and party support without determining an individual’s vote