Chapter 7: Voting & Elections Flashcards
Electoral College
Definition: The constitutionally created group of individuals chosen by the States, with the responsibility of formally selecting the next US president
Significance: EC helps appoint the next president, most states have rules on how they want to run their elections.
Example: If biden wins CO by 57% & Trump won by 43% then all of the EC votes will go to Biden. It doesn’t matter if the candidate wins by 2 million votes of 5,000 votes, the winner will get the states EC votes. (2020 presidential elections)
Felony Disenfranchisement
Definition: Vast increase in the # of states where convicted felons have no right to vote
Significance: It was a way to limit low income whites & black men from having the right to vote
Example: During presidential elections almost all states don’t allow felons in prison to vote, Only two states which are Maine & Vermont have no restrictions on felons voting.
Direct Democracy Processes
Definition: Is a form of democracy in which electorate decides on policy initiatives without an elected representative
Significance: It allows the American people too create new policies and have more of a say on what is going on.
Example: communicating with elected officials, petitioning to adopt of dismiss certain policy. this can be done by sending letters, making phone calls or even signing petitions
