Extended suffrage to African American men

Established the popular election of US senators

Extended suffrage to women

Declared poll taxes void in federal elections

Extended suffrage to people aged 18-20 years old by lowering the voting age from 21 to 18

Legislation designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African American suffrage

Also called the "Motor Voter Act." Makes it easier for voters to register to vote by requiring states to allow citizens to register when applying for or renewing their driver's license

Voting based on what is perceived to be in the citizen's individual interest

Voting to decide whether the party or candidate in power should be re-elected based on the recent past

Voting based on predictions of how a party or candidate will perform in the future

Supporting a party by voting for candidates from one political party for all public offices at the same level of government

Laws that require citizens to register and vote in local and national elections

The congressional elections that occur in even-numbered years between presidential elections, in the middle of each presidential term

A citizen's belief that their vote matters and can influence government policies

A requirement that eligible voters enroll on an electoral roll before they can vote

The number of registered voters who vote in an election

Groups in society that connect people to the government and facilitate turning the people's concerns into political issues on the government's policy agenda

An organization of people with similar political ideologies that seeks to influence public policy by getting its candidates elected

A list of goals outlining a party's positions on issues and political priorities

The structure of national, state, and local parties that creates a platform, recruits candidates, and helps to manage campaigns by providing a fundraising and media strategy

The elected officials who belong to the party. These politicians are responsible for proposing, debating, voting on, and signing legislation that meets the party's platform goals

The citizens who identify with a party and support it by mobilizing voter support and turnout, and by donating to candidate campaigns

Funds raised to promote candidates, political parties, or policy initiatives. There are complex laws regulating who can contribute to campaigns and how much they can contribute

Political campaigns that focus on the candidates for office—their personalities and issues—rather than the parties they represent

An election when significant groups of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty

The process by which an individual loses his or her loyalty to a political party without developing loyalty to another party

The current process by which voters choose their party's candidate for national office

The growing practice of using computer models to identify voters who might support a candidate

A party organization with the goal of enriching party leaders, party workers, and citizen supporters through government contracts and jobs

An organization, usually representing an interest group or corporation, that raises money with the goal of supporting or defeating candidates, parties, or legislation

A major change in the composition of party coalitions, often brought on by a new or pressing issue (often economic trouble or war)

Also called an "independent expenditure-only committee," they may raise unlimited funds in support of a candidate or party as long as they do not coordinate in any way with the candidate or party

A meeting of local party members to choose party officials or candidates for public office and to decide the platform.

A primary in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.

The body of electors from each state who formally elect the president and vice-president of the US.

An election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill public offices.

An officeholder who is seeking reelection.

Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.

A meeting of delegates from a political party to vote on policy and select party candidates for public office.

The total amount of votes cast in an election.

People who promote the election of candidates for political office by helping advise candidates on how best to present their ideas to the public.