Introduction: Why Voting and Elections Matter in AP Gov
Voting and elections form the backbone of democracy. In AP U.S. Government and Politics (AP Gov), Unit 5 — Political Participation — emphasizes how citizens engage with government through voting, how elections are structured, and how institutions respond.
The College Board loves this unit because it brings together constitutional principles, Supreme Court cases, and political behaviors. On the exam, you can expect multiple-choice questions about suffrage amendments, as well as Free-Response Questions (FRQs) about voter turnout, the Electoral College, or campaign finance.
This guide will give you the essential facts on voting and elections you need to know for AP Gov — plus strategies, examples, and resources from RevisionDojo to help you prepare with confidence.
The Expansion of Voting Rights
Voting rights have expanded significantly since the founding of the U.S.
- 15th Amendment (1870): Prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
- 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote.
- 24th Amendment (1964): Banned poll taxes in federal elections.
- Voting Rights Act (1965): Eliminated literacy tests and strengthened enforcement.
- 26th Amendment (1971): Lowered the voting age to 18.
👉 Exam Tip: Be ready to identify which constitutional amendments expanded suffrage.
Voter Turnout Trends
- The U.S. has lower voter turnout compared to other democracies.
- Presidential elections draw higher turnout than midterms.
- Local elections often see the lowest turnout.
- Factors that increase turnout: higher education, older age, strong party identification.
- Factors that decrease turnout: voter ID laws, registration requirements, weekday voting.
The Electoral College
The Electoral College is one of the most tested institutions in AP Gov.
- System: Each state has electors equal to its members of Congress.
- Winner-take-all: Most states award all electors to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.
- 270 votes to win: Out of 538 total.
- Criticism: A candidate can win the presidency without winning the popular vote (e.g., 2000, 2016).
👉 FRQ Connection: You may be asked to evaluate the pros and cons of the Electoral College versus a direct popular vote.
Primaries and Caucuses
- Primaries: Voters select party nominees through elections.
- Caucuses: Party members meet and vote in a more public process.
- Open vs. Closed Primaries: Open allows independents to vote; closed limits to registered party members.
- Frontloading: States moving primaries earlier to increase influence.
Campaign Finance Basics
Understanding money in politics is crucial for AP Gov.
- Federal Election Campaign Act (1971): Established rules for disclosure and limits.
- Buckley v. Valeo (1976): Upheld limits on contributions to others but struck down limits on candidates spending their own money.
- Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (2002): Limited “soft money” to parties.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions, leading to the rise of Super PACs.
👉 RevisionDojo Resource: Simplified charts explaining campaign finance laws and key cases.
Political Participation Beyond Voting
Voting isn’t the only way citizens influence politics.
- Protests and demonstrations: Civil Rights Movement, Women’s March.
- Contacting officials: Letters, emails, calls.
- Joining interest groups: NRA, Sierra Club, ACLU.
- Social media activism: Increasingly important in the 21st century.
Sample FRQ Practice
Prompt: Explain how voter ID laws may increase or decrease voter turnout. Provide one reason political parties support such laws and one reason they oppose them.
Model Answer:
- Decrease turnout: Strict ID laws can disenfranchise minorities, the elderly, or low-income citizens.
- Increase turnout: Supporters argue ID laws protect election integrity and may increase confidence in the system.
- Partisan divide: Republicans tend to support ID laws, Democrats often oppose them.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Confusing civil rights (equal access to voting) with civil liberties.
- Forgetting the difference between open and closed primaries.
- Assuming turnout is always high — the U.S. lags compared to other democracies.
- Not connecting Supreme Court cases (e.g., Citizens United) to voting and elections.
Real-World Examples to Use in Essays
- 2000 Election (Bush v. Gore): Electoral College controversy.
- 2016 Election: Popular vote vs. Electoral College outcome.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010): Campaign finance transformation.
- Shelby County v. Holder (2013): Weakened Voting Rights Act enforcement.
👉 Use examples like these in FRQs for stronger answers.
How to Study Voting and Elections for AP Gov
- Flowcharts: Show how primaries, caucuses, and general elections connect.
- Case studies: Review major election controversies (2000, 2016).
- Practice quizzes: Use AP Classroom and RevisionDojo together.
- Flashcards: Memorize amendments and campaign finance rulings.
How RevisionDojo Helps with Voting and Elections Prep
RevisionDojo makes Unit 5 (Political Participation) easier with:
- Practice FRQs on turnout, elections, and campaign finance.
- Quick-reference guides to suffrage amendments.
- Case summaries for Citizens United and Shelby County v. Holder.
- Study strategies tailored for AP Gov students.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s AP Gov resources to master elections and political participation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why is voter turnout lower in the U.S. than in other democracies?
A: Barriers like registration requirements, voter ID laws, and weekday elections reduce turnout.
Q: Do I need to know every election in history for AP Gov?
A: No. Just know key examples like 2000 (Bush v. Gore) and 2016 (Clinton vs. Trump).
Q: What’s the difference between a primary and a caucus?
A: Primaries are ballot-based elections; caucuses are meetings where party members vote in person.
Q: Do I need to memorize campaign finance laws?
A: Yes, know the basics of FECA, BCRA, Buckley v. Valeo, and Citizens United.
Q: Will the Electoral College be on the exam?
A: Absolutely. It’s a favorite multiple-choice and FRQ topic.
Final Thoughts
Voting and elections aren’t just another AP Gov unit — they’re the core of democracy. To score well on the AP exam, you’ll need to know not just the facts, but also how to analyze voter behavior, evaluate institutions like the Electoral College, and connect laws and court cases to political participation.
By combining AP Classroom practice with RevisionDojo’s study guides, you’ll have the knowledge and strategies to answer multiple-choice questions and write strong FRQs.
On exam day, you’ll be ready to tackle questions about turnout, campaign finance, or the Electoral College with confidence.
