Elections US and Voting behaviour

Question 1

Primaries

Answer 1

A Formal secret ballot election that selects delegates for party’s presidential nomination conventions
- They are used to chose part candidate for state and congressional elections.

Question 2

Caucuses

Answer 2

A meeting whereby local members of a political party register their preference amongst candidates running for office
- or selecting candidates to attend a convention.

Question 3

National nominating convention

Answer 3

• The occasion where the successful candidate is formally endorsed as their party candidate for the forthcoming presidential candidate.

Question 4

Gerrymandering

Answer 4

• Deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries, with the intent of creating undue advantage for a part, group within the constituency.

Question 5

Split- ticket voting

Answer 5

This is when a voter decides to vote for candidate from different parties in the same election.

Question 6

Abstention

Answer 6

Not turning out to vote

Question 7

Incumbency

Answer 7

An existing elected representative up for re- election

Question 8

Write-in

Answer 8

• Some states leave a blank space on ballot papers so voters can write the name of candidates who do not appear on the ballot paper.

Question 9

Electoral College

Answer 9

• Formally elects the President, usually state- based.

Question 10

Electoral System

Answer 10

• Usually State based.
• For example, Georgia election law requires a top-two election for its Senate seat.
• California, the top two candidates regardless of their party affiliation are selected in a state primary, and then goes head to head in the actual Senate election

Question 11

How are states given Electoral College Votes?

Answer 11

• By the number of Congress people they have.

Equivalent to the size of their congressional delegation

Question 12

How many ECV’S does California have?

Answer 12

55

Question 13

How many ECV’S does Washington DC have?

Answer 13

3, since Amendment 21 in 1961

Question 14

How frequent is the Census?

Answer 14

Every 10 years, it can also change the boundaries for the House of Representative districts.

Question 15

What system is used for the Congressional elections?

Answer 15

FPTP- the one with the most votes wins.

Question 16

How frequent is the Presidential elections?

Answer 16

Every 4 years in November.

Question 17

How frequent is the Congressional elections?

Answer 17

• Every 2 years

- When the whole House, and a third of the Senate is up for election.

Question 18

Mid- terms

Answer 18

Elections taking place between presidential election.

Question 19

Strengths of the Electoral system

Answer 19

• It offers many opportunities for political participation.
• An almost entirely clear majoritarian electoral system usually ensures clear results.
• Primaries and caucuses enable ordinary voters to play the key role in selecting candidates for political parties.

Question 20

Weaknesses of the Electoral system

Answer 20

• The Electors can suffer from voter’s fatigue.
• The Electoral system tends to favour a two- party dominant system, with little chance for minor parties and independents.
• Primaries and causes increases the time of elections and campaigning, it also encourages divisions within the party.

Question 21

Advantages of Primaries and Caucuses

Answer 21

• Boost opportunities for political participation
• Caucuses provides an opportunity for ordinary voters to discuss the relative merits and weaknesses of candidates.
• It allows political outsiders to run for major office; eg Trump.
• The length of primary campaigns enables a wide range of states to influence the outcome.

Question 22

Disadvantages of Primaries and Caucuses

Answer 22

• It increases focus on candidates as opposed to party or policies, exacerbates divisions eg Bill Clinton and Bernie Sanders in 2016.
• Outsiders can often lack DC connections and experience needed. Insiders often win nomination.
• It adds to the overall costs and lengths of campaigns, which increases voter’s fatigue.
• Caucuses meetings lacks voters secrecy and involves lengthy time and commitment. The 2020 Democrats Iowa caucus proved farcical (absurd).

Question 23

Role of the Party convention (NNC)

Answer 23

• a chance to unite a divided party
• Gives momentum to the candidate via publicity and a chance to explain and outline their main policy.
• It marks the formal beginning of the presidential campaigns.