FARMBROUGH - US POLITICS (ELECTORAL SYSTEM) Flashcards
1
Q
what are the 4 main elections in the US?
A
- presidential elections
- congressional elections
- primaries/caucuses
- direct democracy
2
Q
how often are presidential elections?
A
- every 4 years in November
3
Q
how often are congressional elections?
A
- every 2 years for House
- every 6 years for Senate (1/3 re-elected every 2 years)
4
Q
which elections have federal requirements?
A
- presidential
5
Q
why is the US electoral system effective?
A
- many opportunities to participate
- majoritarian therefore single party control
- reflects federal nature of US
- primaries/caucuses allow voters to select candidates (more democratic)
- electoral college protects small states
6
Q
why is the US electoral system ineffective?
A
- voter fatigue
- favours 2-party system
- hard to win both chambers therefore gridlock
- electoral manipulation (gerrymandering, ID laws)
- primaries/caucuses increase length of elections
- electoral college exaggerates power of small states
7
Q
which is more partisan UK or US?
A
- US
8
Q
what are the controversies surrounding ID laws for voting?
A
- many people don’t have a form of ID, it requires money and most Americans don’t need to leave the country.
- republicans target poorer voters and immigrants who don’t have ID by saying ID is required to vote, essentially silencing them
9
Q
what are some swing states?
A
- Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa
10
Q
how much money was spent on the 2022 elections?
A
- $14 billion
11
Q
how much did Bernie Sanders raise in 2020?
A
- $46 million from 2.2 million separate donations
12
Q
what were the results of the 2018 midterms?
A
- 34% against Trump
- 26% for Trump
- democrats gained 40 districts in House, lost 2 in senate
- republicans lost the House
13
Q
which is more common primaries or caucuses?
A
- primaries
