Lecture 3 - Elections part 1

Question 1

What are the key levels of elections in the U.S.?

Answer 1

Federal, state, county, and local elections, including positions like President, Governor, Mayor, and more.

Question 2

What does the Election Clause in the Constitution (Section IV, Article 1) state?

Answer 2

States regulate the times, places, and manner of holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress can alter these regulations.

Question 3

What does the 14th Amendment establish regarding citizenship and rights?

Answer 3

It grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and ensures equal protection under the law.

Question 4

What voting rights are provided by the 15th Amendment?

Answer 4

It prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Question 5

What is the significance of the 19th Amendment?

Answer 5

It granted women the right to vote in 1920.

Question 6

What does the 24th Amendment prohibit?

Answer 6

It prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

Question 7

What does the 26th Amendment establish regarding voting age?

Answer 7

It guarantees the right to vote to U.S. citizens 18 years of age or older.

Question 8

What were Jim Crow laws and their impact on voting?

Answer 8

Laws that enforced racial segregation and voter suppression, upheld by the Supreme Court.

Question 9

What was the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965 designed to address?

Answer 9

It was designed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from voting.

Question 10

What are the current limits for federal campaign contributions per individual?

Answer 10

$3,300 per candidate per election, but unlimited personal funds.

Question 11

What is the difference between a PAC and a Super PAC?

Answer 11

A PAC can donate directly to candidates, while a Super PAC cannot, but it can spend unlimited amounts independently.

Question 12

What is ‘First-past-the-post’ voting?

Answer 12

The candidate with the most votes in a district wins the election, even if it’s not a majority.

Question 13

What is the role of primaries and caucuses in U.S. elections?

Answer 13

Primaries and caucuses determine party nominees for the general election.

Question 14

How does the Electoral College system work?

Answer 14

Electors are chosen by states based on population, and the candidate with 270 electoral votes wins the presidency.

Question 15

What is the significance of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and its later amendments?

Answer 15

It suspended discriminatory voting practices like literacy tests and required federal approval for changes in voting laws.

Question 16

What are some key roles in state and local elections?

Answer 16

Key roles include Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Sheriff, and Mayor.

Question 17

How did Jim Crow laws evolve and what was their impact?

Answer 17

Jim Crow laws enforced segregation and voter suppression, upheld by the Supreme Court under ‘separate but equal’ rulings.

Question 18

What are the limitations on corporate and union donations under campaign finance laws?

Answer 18

Corporations and unions cannot donate directly to federal candidates, but can through PACs with separate funds.

Question 19

What is the significance of single-member districts in U.S. elections?

Answer 19

Single-member districts ensure that each elected official represents a district, influencing gerrymandering.

Question 20

What is the election cycle in the U.S.?

Answer 20

The election cycle includes pre-announcement activities, primaries, conventions, and the general election.

Question 21

What are run-off elections and where are they used?

Answer 21

Run-off elections are used when no candidate wins a majority, common in states like Georgia and Louisiana.

Question 22

What is ranked-choice voting and where is it used?

Answer 22

Ranked-choice voting allows voters to rank candidates by preference, used in Maine and Alaska.