Engagement in a Democracy

social capital connections with others and the willingness to interact and aid them

Direct Democracy

initiative law or constitutional amendment proposed and passed by the voters and subject to review by the state courts; also called a proposition

recall the removal of a politician or government official by the voters

referendum a yes or no vote by citizens on a law or candidate proposed by the state government

Voter Turnout

chronic minority voters who belong to political parties that tend not to be competitive in national elections because they are too small to become a majority or because of the Electoral College system distribution in their state

early voting an accommodation that allows voting up to two weeks before Election Day

voter fatigue the result when voters grow tired of voting and stay home from the polls

voting-age population the number of citizens over eighteen

voting-eligible population the number of citizens eligible to vote