AP U.S. Government and Politics Flashcards: Voting Rights and Models of Voting Behavior
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is rational choice voting?
Rational choice voting refers to when individuals base their voting decisions on what is perceived to be in their own best interest.
Card 1 of 10
All Flashcards (10)
What is rational choice voting?
Rational choice voting refers to when individuals base their voting decisions on what is perceived to be in their own best interest.
Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, expanding the electorate to include younger citizens.
What was the primary impact of the 15th Amendment on political participation?
The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote, providing a constitutional protection for their political participation.
How did the 17th Amendment alter the process for electing U.S. Senators?
The 17th Amendment changed the election of Senators from a vote by state legislatures to a direct popular vote by the people of each state.
What is straight ticket voting?
Straight ticket voting is the practice where individuals vote for all of the candidates from one political party on a single ballot.
Which constitutional amendment granted women the right to vote?
The 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, expanding opportunities for political participation.
An incumbent president is voted out of office following a major economic recession. This is most likely an example of which voting model?
This is most likely an example of retrospective voting, where voters hold the incumbent responsible for the recent past state of the economy.
A citizen votes for a candidate based on their campaign promise to improve the economy in the coming years. What model of voting behavior is this?
This is an example of prospective voting, as the vote is based on predictions of how a candidate will perform in the future.
How did the 24th Amendment protect voting rights?
The 24th Amendment protected voting rights by eliminating poll taxes, which were used as a structural barrier to prevent citizens from voting.
What is retrospective voting?
Retrospective voting is when individuals decide whether the party or candidate in power should be reelected based on their performance in the recent past.