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AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Unit 5- Political Participation – Review Packet

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Thompson River University (TRU )

Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions (e.g., political parties, interest groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in many venues for citizen influence on policy maki...

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AP U.S. GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Unit 5- Political Participation – Review Packet

Governing is achieved directly through citizen participation and indirectly through institutions (e.g., political parties, interest
groups, and mass media) that inform, organize, and mobilize support to influence government and politics, resulting in
many venues for citizen influence on policy making.

The principle of self-government is dependent on both citizen participation and the operation of the various linkage
institutions that help citizens connect with the government. These institutions help people become a part of the policy-
making process.

Playing an important role in this process, the media report public opinion data and can sometimes influence the formation
of that opinion as well. The accuracy of public opinion data is dependent upon the scientific polling methods that are used,
and the results of these opinion polls are often used as a means of political influence. The role the media play in this
process is at times criticized for the bias demonstrated in the format, context, and content of information distributed as
well as the manner in which that bias impacts public understanding of political information. Social media poses both
opportunities and challenges for democratic participation.

Social movements, political parties, and interest groups also serve to connect the electorate with the government by
influencing the manner in which people relate to and participate in its composition, functions, and policy-making agenda.
Various social movements develop in response to conditions perceived as negatively impacting specific groups of people;
their political strategies are aimed at changing public policy in a way that benefits the adversely impacted group. Political
parties run campaigns in an attempt to win office and make policy consistent with their platform and goals. Over time
political parties respond to election results, campaign laws, and changes in the way information is disseminated to the
public. Even though political parties are designed to connect the people with government, there are various barriers that
interfere with this connection, even to the extent of preventing candidates who represent interests outside the two major
parties from being elected. Finally, interest groups exist as a form of political participation for people with particular policy
concerns. While these groups exist for different causes, they are sometimes criticized for wielding a disproportionate
impact on the policy-making process based on their organized pressure tactics and allocation of money for campaigns
and lobbying.

Like political parties and interest groups, elections connect citizens with government. The number of eligible voters has
expanded over time based on various constitutional provisions, court rulings on voter access and campaign finance, and
legislation. The Fifteenth, Nineteenth, Twenty-Fourth, and Twenty-Sixth Amendments, each a response to a specific
social/political concern, serve to eliminate political discrimination against people due to a citizen’s race, sex, age, and
ability to pay a poll tax. Voter turnout is impacted by the various provisions that states implement regarding voter
requirements and qualifications that involve issues not addressed in those amendments. Voter turnout varies widely from
election to election, and political candidates have taken advantage of technology and campaign finance laws to
communicate their platforms more effectively to the voting public. The data regarding voter turnout in the United States
provides a foundation for interesting analysis when compared to voter turnout in other democracies, and political scientists
periodically study why voter turnout in the U.S. falls below that in other similar republics.

Essential Questions:
● How have changes in technology influenced political communication and behavior?
● Why do levels of participation and influence in politics vary?
● How effective are the various methods of political participation in shaping public policies?

1

, Big Idea #1- Factors associated with political ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence
the nature and degree of political participation.

Voting Rights

Describe how each expanded opportunities for political participation

15th Amendment U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed

17th Amendment Established the direct election of senators instead of being chosen by state legislatures

19th Amendment Women gained the right to vote

24th Amendment Eliminated the poll tax as a prerequisite to vote in national elections

26th Amendment Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Voting Rights Act of 1965 Banned racial discrimination in voting. Provided for federal election examiners to
enforce the law

Motor Voter Law Required states to allow voters to register when they get their driver’s license

Models of Voting Behavior

Describe the different models of voting behavior. And, provide an example.

Rational-choice voting When a voter has examined an issue or candidate, evaluated campaign promises or
platform points, and consciously decided to vote in the way that seems to benefit the
voter
Retrospective voting A theory of voting in which voters essentially ask “what have you done for me lately”

Prospective voting Basing voting decisions on well-informed opinions and consideration of the future
consequences of a given vote

Party-line voting A vote in which a substantial majority of members of a political party vote for those in
their party

Governing of elections
Put a mark if the STATE Put a mark if the FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT governs the GOVERNMENT governs the
election. election.
Set times and locations, and most dates of X
elections.
Has judicial jurisdiction on election policy X X
Certifies elections results days or weeks after X
Election Day
Draws congressional district lines X
Enforces relevant civil rights legislation X
Sets date for federal, general elections X
Chooses format of acceptable ballots and how to X
file for candidacy.
Administers and enforces campaign finance rules. X
Addresses suffrage in constitutional amendments. X
Creates rules and procedures for voter registration. X
Special Note: In addition to the impact that demographics and political efficacy can have on voter choice and turnout,
structural barriers and type of election also affect voter turnout in the U.S

2

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