Government REview

1. Government REview

2. Political Efficacy- a persons trust in government and their belief they have an influence on government • Suffrage- The Right to Vote

3. Women’s Suffrage • Started in west • Seneca Falls- women’s right convention • Declaration of Rights and Sentiments- women’s rights documents

4. Other Qualifications • Registration- procedure of voter identification intended to prevent fraudulent voting • Imposed by 49 states • North Dakota • Registration is permanent until you move, die, are convicted of a felony, put in a mental institution, or fail to vote in 2 consecutive presidential elections.

5. Residence • One must be a resident of the state in which he or she wishes to cast a ballot • In most states a person must have lived in the state for a certain period of time • Two Reasons • Eliminate fraud • Time to become familiar with candidates

6. The Fifteenth Amendment • Ratified in 1870 • The Right to Vote cannot be denied to any citizen of the U.S. based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude • The amendment meant to ensure African American men the right to vote

7. 1964 24th Amendment • Outlawed poll tax. Black voter registration begins to increase.

8. Expanding Suffrage • Women’s Suffrage (1920) – 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote • 18-21 year-olds (1974) – 26th Amendment, sparked by Vietnam

9. Voting Requirements • Three Factors • Citizenship • Residence • Age

10. What is a PAC (Political Action Committee) A Legally Separate Organization of an Interest Group (at least 50 members) that raises money for candidates and political parties

11. Federal Matching funds • In American politics the term matching funds refers to the money a presidential candidate is given by federal government to match the money they have raised personally..

12. Two Types of Money • Hard Money – subject to regulation by the FEC • Money raised to elect candidates to Congress and the White House • Soft Money – funds given to party organizations for such “party-building activities” as candidate recruitment, voter registration and other drives • Regulation started in 2002

13. 2002 McCain-Feingold Bi-Partisan Campaign Finance Reform Act • Increases individual contribution limit from $1,000 to $2,000 • Limit of $5000 to a PAC

14. ” SOFT MONEY “SPEAKS” • Group that organizes for political fundraising, • Buys “independent” issue advertising not given directly to candidates

15. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) • Regulates campaign finance • Independent agency in the executive branch • 6 members appointed by President, confirmed by Senate • Require timely disclosure of campaign finance data • Place limits on campaign contributions • Place limits on campaign expenditures • Provide public funding for several parts of the presidential election process

16. Sources of Funding • Private Contributors – major source of funds • Small contributors – 10% of people of voting age • Wealthy – self-interest • Candidates – incumbents, challengers, and their families • Non-party groups – Political Action Committees (PACs); special interest groups • PAC – political arms of special interest groups • Over 4000 PACs • Temporary organizations – fundraisers • Public funds – subsidies – grants

17. Which Groups are most likely to Vote • Gender –women • Minority- African Americans • Voter Turnout- About Half