Civics Benchmark Pt2 Flashcards
What are similarities between parties
organize to win elections
influence public parties
reflect both liberal and conservative views
define themselves in a way that wins most of the supports by appealing to the political center
What are the differences between parties
Stated in party platforms and reflected in campaigning
What are third parties
Introduce a new idea and or press for a particular issue
often revolve around a political personality for example Theodore Roosevelt
Strategies for evaluating campaign speeches literature and advertisement for accuracy
separating fact from opinion
detecting bias
detecting bias evaluating sources
evaluating sources
Identifying propaganda
mass media rolls in elections
Identifying candid
Emphasizing selected issues
Writing editorials creating political cartoons publishing op-ed pieces
Broadcasting different points of view
rising campaign costs
require candidates to conduct extensive fund raising activities
Limit opportunities to run for public office
give an advantage to wealthy individuals who run for office
encourage the development of political actions committees P a C
Give issue-oriented special interest groups increased influence
campaign finance reform
rising campaign costs have led to efforts to reform campaign finance laws
limits have been placed on the amount individuals may contribute to political candidates and campaigns
who made participate in primary and general elections
only citizens who register
What are the qualifications to register to vote in Virginia
must be a citizen of the United States
Must be a resident of Virginia in precinct
must be at least eighteen years of age by day of general election
when does voter registration close
It closes twenty two days before elections
how to register to vote in Virginia
in person at the registrar’s office at the division of motor vehicles or at other designated sites
By mail in application
what are the factors in prediction which citizens will vote
education
age
income
what are reasons why citizens fail to vote
lack of interest
Failure to register
true or false the percentage of voters who participate in presidential elections is usually greater than the percentage of voters who participate in state and local elections
true
true or false not all votes are important
False
what is the electoral college profess
a slate of electors for each state is chosen by popular vote
Most states have a winner take all system
The electors meet to vote for president and vice president
what is the winner take all system
the winner take all system leads to the targeting of densely populated states for campaigning although candidates must pay attention to less populated states whose electoral votes may make the difference in tight elections
What determines the number of electors of each state
The number of electors of each state is based on the size of the state’s congressional representation which is based on the state’s population
True or false the requirement for a majority vote to win the Electoral College favors a two-party system
true
what are the three distinct and independent branches of the government
Legislative branch
executive branch
judicial branch
what is the legislative branch responsible for
make the laws of the nation
approves the annual budget
confirms presidential appointments
raises revenue through taxes and other levies
Regulates interstate and foreign trade
declares war
What makes up the legislative branch
Consists of Congress a bicameral Legislature consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate
How many members are there in the House of Representatives
four hundred thirty five members based on populations of the states
how many members are there in the Senate
a 100 members two per state
What is the executive branch responsibilities
Executes the laws of the land
prepares the annual budget for congressional action
appoints Cabinet officers ambassadors and federal judges
administers the federal bureaucracy
Who is in charge of the executive branch
headed by the president of the United States the chief executive officer of the nation
what is the judicial branch responsibilities
the Supreme Court exercises the power of judicial review
The federal courts try cases involving federal law and questions involving interpretation of the Constitution of the United States
What makes up the judicial branch
Consists of the federal courts including the Supreme Court the highest court in the land
