Electoral Systems in the US

Question 1

What is the electoral college?

Answer 1

The system that officially elects the President to power.

Question 2

How does the electoral college work?

Answer 2

The people vote for their chosen candidate, which in turn allocates college delegates to a state who then vote following the majority decision within that state.

Question 3

How many delegates are in the Electoral College?

Answer 3

538, as each district is entitled to a minimum of 3 electoral college votes.

Question 4

How many electoral college votes are needed to win the Presidency?

Answer 4

270 votes, as this is a majority and therefore cannot be disputed.

Question 5

What are the reasons for wanting change to the Electoral College?

Answer 5

The delegates are not required to vote in line with the voters.
It gives lots of power to the smaller states, and detracts from larger ones.
It creates a focus of swing states, meaning candidates spend more time some states than in others.

Question 6

What is the purpose of the invisible Primaries?

Answer 6

It is the initial stage of the Presidential election, which allows the candidates to gain support prior to the primaries and candidate selection process, often the winner of the invisible primaries goes on to win the election.

Question 7

What is a National Party Convention?

Answer 7

They set the Party Agenda
Delegates announce the selected party candidate for president
Gain publicity and debate amongst candidates, for funding and support for the party overall
To promote party unity to the nation

Question 8

Why does the electoral college give power to the smaller states?

Answer 8

Each state must have a minimum of two electoral college votes, meaning in small states the amount of people voting for a delegate is significantly less.

Question 9

Why are the NPC’s becoming outdated?

Answer 9

The Presidential candidate has already been decided in the primaries.
The VP is no longer announced at the Convention.
It just becomes a show with lots of unnecessary money spent.
In 2020, they happened on a much smaller scale, and they still had the same effect.

Question 10

Where is the provision for the electoral college found?

Answer 10

Article 2 section 1.

Question 11

When was US universal suffrage introduced?

Answer 11

1965, following the civil rights movement. This increased the voter basis for the Democrats, as they are more likely to vote in line with the party who defended their rights.

Question 12

What benefits are there to party debates being televised?

Answer 12

Helps to highlight the differences in the party- radicals vs moderates.
Key part of the invisible primaries as it helps to establish what the individuals truly stand for.

Question 13

Why do people feel that TV debates hold little significance?

Answer 13

The debates can become a bit of a circus and the people tend to have very little serious policy debate.

Question 14

Why is it important to win the invisible primaries?

Answer 14

It puts you as a “front runner” for the party candidacy.
Suggests strong opinion polls, meaning people know who a candidate is going into the primary process.
Traditionally the leading candidate does better in the Primaries.

Question 15

Who did Fox news blame the loss of the mid-terms on?

Answer 15

Women, as 68% voted in favour of the democrats.

Question 16

What are the timings of elections?

Answer 16

Year before- Invisible Primary
Jan to June- Primaries + Caucuses
Early June- Choosing the VP
July to August- National Party Conventions
Sept to October- Election campaigning.

Question 17

When is the election day?

Answer 17

The second Tuesday in November.

Question 18

How often is a Presidential election?

Answer 18

Every 4 years.

Question 19

What are the conditions for running for President?

Answer 19

At least 35 years old.
Lived in the US for 14 years.
Born as a US citizen.

Question 20

What are the extra-constitutional requirements for a president to run?

Answer 20

Political experience- 19/22 running in 2016 were from government.
Major party endorsement- Needs to be chosen by one of the main parties.
Personal characteristics- Usually are white males.

Question 21

What does the invisible primary currently look like?

Answer 21

Biden is running for re-election.
Trump and Ron DeSantis are in competition for the Republican nomination.

Question 22

What helps to demonstrate the successes of the invisible primaries?

Answer 22

Opinion polls.

Question 23

What occurs during the invisible primaries?

Answer 23

Fundraising
TV Debates
Produces a Front runner

Question 24

Why does fundraising occur during the Invisible primaries?

Answer 24

Allows for candidates to campaign and advertise.

Question 25

Example of wasted fundraising.

Answer 25

Bloomberg self funded $409 million for his campaign, and did not secure a party nomination.

Question 26

Which two states hold the first primaries?

Answer 26

Iowa and New Hampshire

Question 27

What change have the democrats made to the primaries?

Answer 27

They voted that south Carolina would hold the first primary, over Iowa. Decided in 2022.

Question 28

What are presidential caucuses?

Answer 28

State based meetings to choose a party's candidate. They are usually unrepresentative and have very low turnout.

Question 29

How many states held caucuses in 2020?

Answer 29

4

Question 30

What is Super Tuesday?

Answer 30

The first Tuesday in March, when 14 states decide to hold their Primaries. This aimed to increase the importance of these states.

Question 31

What is Front Loading?

Answer 31

When states schedule their Primaries early in order to have more influence over candidate selection.

Question 32

What is an Open Primary?

Answer 32

Allows for cross over voting, meaning that people can vote in any party primary. This allows swing voters a better choice.

Question 33

What is a Closed Primary?

Answer 33

A primary that only registered party members can vote in.

Question 34

What is a modified Primary?

Answer 34

Independents are able to vote in either party's primary. This allows for people that align with both, to still have a vote.

Question 35

What occurs in the primaries with an incumbent president?

Answer 35

Some states don't bother holding primaries. Usually renominated without opposition, so don't require the process.

Question 36

What are the formal functions of NPC's?

Answer 36

Deciding the Party Platform Choosing the VP candidate. Choosing the Presidential candidate.

Question 37

What are the Informal functions of NPC's?

Answer 37

Promoting party unity. Enthusing voters.

Question 38

Why was the electoral college introduced?

Answer 38

It provided insurance to the states. Allowed states to maintain their own laws on extending the franchise. Makes sure an appropriate candidate.

Question 39

What are the strengths of the electoral college?

Answer 39

Preserves the voice of smaller states. Promotes a two horse race, meaning the nation unites behind it.

Question 40

What are the weaknesses of the electoral college?

Answer 40

Small states are over represented. Winner takes all distorts the results. Unfair for national third parties.

Question 41

How many presidents have been defeated as incumbents?

Answer 41

4 since 1976.

Question 42

What advantages do incumbent presidents have?

Answer 42

Often unchallenged. Have a strong fundraising base. Name recognition. Can use their position to benefit certain states. Experience of the campaign.

Question 43

How many incumbents have won their re-election?

Answer 43

22/32

Question 44

In 2000 what was the rate of re-election?

Answer 44

97.8%