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Chapter 10 Key Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
legitimacy | A characterization of elections by political scientists 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 the state law to a vote if sufficient signatures are obtained on petitions. |
suffrage | The legal right to vote, in the United States gradually extended to virtually all citizens over the age of 18. |
political efficacy | The belief that one's political participation really matters-that one's vote can actually make a difference. |
civic duty | The belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should vote. |
voter registration | A system adopted by the states that requires voters to register prior to voting. Some states require citizens to register as much as 30 days in advance, whereas others permit Election Day registration |
Motor Voter Act | A 1993 act that requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply for their driver's license |
mandate theory of elections | The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics. Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do. |
policy voting | Electoral choices that are made on the basis of the voters' policy preferences and 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. Although the Electoral College vote usually reflects a popular majority. |
retrospective voting | A theory of voting according to which voters essentially make their decisions based on their answers to the question "What have you done for me lately"? |