AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: Voter Turnout
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 11 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is political efficacy?
Political efficacy is the belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference.
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What is political efficacy?
Political efficacy is the belief that an individual’s participation in the political process will make a difference.
Identify the most significant factor influencing voter choice.
Party identification and a voter's ideological orientation are primary factors that influence their choice of candidate.
What two broad factors play a role in voter turnout?
Individual choice and state laws both play significant roles in determining voter turnout in elections.
Besides party ID, name three other factors that influence a voter's choice.
Voter choice is also influenced by candidate characteristics, contemporary political issues, and demographic characteristics like race, gender, and age.
What three general factors can create differences in U.S. voter turnout?
Structural barriers, political efficacy, and demographics can influence differences in voter turnout in the U.S.
How can state voter registration laws impact turnout?
Variations in voter registration laws, such as requiring in-person registration versus allowing online or automatic registration, can influence voter turnout levels.
Distinguish between factors influencing 'voter turnout' and 'voter choice'.
Voter turnout factors determine *if* an individual votes (e.g., structural barriers, registration laws), while voter choice factors determine *who* they vote for (e.g., party ID, candidate characteristics).
What two factors are used to predict the likelihood of an individual voting?
Demographic characteristics and an individual's level of political efficacy or engagement are used to predict the likelihood of whether they will vote.
Provide two examples of structural barriers that can affect voter turnout.
Examples of structural barriers that can influence voter turnout include polling hours and the availability of absentee ballots.
Identify two ways that state-level election controls can create variations in voter turnout.
Variations in state-controlled elections, such as different Voter ID laws or the types of voting allowed (e.g., mail-in, early voting), can influence turnout.
How does the type of election typically affect voter turnout?
Voter turnout is generally higher for presidential elections than for midterm elections.