• Political action committees (PACs) - raise funds to elect canidates
  • There are no limits to money but they cannot coordinate with the campaign

13.1 Forms of Political Participation

• Elections are a linkage institution, they connect citizens to the government
• Linkage institution - channels that connect governments and citizens
• Social movement - individuals joining seeking social or political change

13.2 Right to Vote & Exercising it

The Expansion of Voting Rights

• 15th Amendment - equal voting rights based on race
• 17th Amendment - populat election of senators
• 24th Amendment - prohibits poll tax
• 26th Amendment - reduces voting age from 21 to 18

Factors that shape Electoral Participation

• Voter turnout has declined over the years
• Voter turnout - the amount of eligible voters actually voting
• Demographic characteristics - impacts voter turnout

What affects Voter Turnout

• Socioeconomic status - measure of wealth
• Educational attainment - measure of education
• Political efficacy - confidence that one can make change
• Age