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Government > The Electoral Process and the Voter > Flashcards

The Electoral Process and the Voter Flashcards

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1
Q

The Republican party holds a primary election to determine its candidate for president. In a state with closed primaries, which of the following groups would be allowed to vote in this election?
A. registered Democrat voters only
B. all registered voters
C. registered Republican and Democrat voters only
D. registered Republican voters only

A

D. registered Republican voters only

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2
Q

True or False

In some situations, the House of Representatives can elect the president of the United States.

A

true

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3
Q

Contrast primary and general elections. How are these two types of elections different?

A

Primary elections elects candidates to run in the general elections. It is held several months prior to the general election and there are may types of primary elections. A general election is used to elect people to run the state or nation, such as presidents, congress members, or state representatives.

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4
Q

How does the Electoral College system protect the input and power of America’s smaller states?

A

The Electoral College system restricts the power of larger states. Without the Electoral College, candidates would only need to campaign in the largest cities and states. Under the popular vote, a candidate could lose in 44 states and still be elected president.

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5
Q

The above map shows Electoral College votes based on 2000 Census data. What do the numbers on this map represent? In the Electoral College system, what targets must be met by a presidential candidate in order to win the election?

A

The numbers on this map represent the set number of electoral votes that each state is given. For a presidential candidate to win the election, they must have the majority of votes and at least 270 electoral votes.

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6
Q

The presidential election of 2000 is an example of how a candidate can receive the greatest share of the popular vote, but lose the election to an opponent. Use the above map to explain why George W. Bush (shown in yellow) won this election, instead of Al Gore (shown in blue).

A

Despite winning the popular vote, Al Gore does not have at least 270 electoral votes. Bush won because he got 271 electoral votes even though he did not win the popular vote.

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7
Q 
During a primary election, if a candidate does not recieve at least 51% of the vote, which of the following types of elections would probably be used to help determine a winner?
A. runoff election
B. bond election
C. proposition election
D. special election
A

A. runoff election

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8
Q

Why are presidential elections considered to be indirect elections?

A

It is considered to be an indirect election because the people vote for representatives who will vote for the president that they said they would. The people do not directly vote for the president.

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9
Q 
In which type of election would citizens be most likely to vote on a proposition?
A. closed primary
B. runoff
C. general
D. open primary
A

C. general

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10
Q 
The death of a leader in office, a resignation, or the appointment of a leader to a different role are all situations that may trigger a \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A. general election
B. special election
C. bond election
D. runoff election
A

B. special election

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11
Q

Study the presidential election results shown in the above diagram. Which candidate won the popular vote in this situation?
A. Candidate A because she received 35,000 votes
B. Candidate A because she received 13 votes from electors
C. Candidate B because he received 42,000 votes
D. Candidate B because he received 11 votes from electors

A

C. Candidate B because he received 42,000 votes

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12
Q

Study the presidential election results shown in the above diagram. Which candidate won the electoral vote in this situation?
A. Candidate A because she received 35,000 votes
B. Candidate A because she received 13 votes from electors
C. Candidate B because he received 42,000 votes
D. Candidate B because he received 11 votes from electors

A

B. Candidate A because she received 13 votes from electors

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13
Q 
A \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is best defined as method of recording a citizen’s vote.
A. ballot
B. bond
C. proposition
D. resignation
A

A. ballot

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14
Q 
All United States citizens vote on a(n) \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ballot.
A. closed
B. open
C. secret
D. primary
A

probably D. primary

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15
Q 
In the 2000 presidential election, \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ won the presidency despite losing the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ vote.
A. Al Gore . . . popular
B. George Bush . . . popular
C. Al Gore . . . electoral
D. George Bush . . . electoral
A

B. George Bush . . . popular

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16
Q 
In the election of 1800, which president was chosen by the House of Representatives after tying Aaron Burr in the electoral vote?
A.
Thomas Jefferson
B.
Andrew Jackson
C.
John Quincy Adams
D.
Benjamin Harrison
A

A.

Thomas Jefferson

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17
Q 
A proposition is a law that is directly approved by \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A.
the voting public
B.
the Senate
C.
the House of Representatives
D.
the president
A

A.

the voting public

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18
Q 
The Democratic party is planning to hold an open primary election to choose a candidate for the senate. Which of the following groups would be allowed to vote in this election?
A.
only registered Democrats
B.
all registered voters
C.
only registered Republicans
D.
only registered Democrats and Independents
A

B.

all registered voters

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19
Q

You are the secretary of state in the state of Texas, and it is your job to oversee election results. In a presidential election, 33 percent of the votes in Texas were cast for Candidate A and 66 percent were cast for Candidate B.

How would your state’s electoral votes be distributed?
A. Candidate A will receive 1/3 of the votes, and Candidate B will receive 2/3.
B. Candidate A will receive all of the state’s electoral votes.
C. Candidate B will receive 1/3 of the votes, and Candidate A will receive 2/3.
D. Candidate B will receive all of the state’s electoral votes.

A

D. Candidate B will receive all of the state’s electoral votes.

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20
Q

Which of the following situations might require voters to hold a special election?
A.
A citizen announces that he or she is interested in running for office.
B.
A regularly scheduled election day is approaching.
C.
A state governor resigns from office partway through his or her term.
D.
A president reaches the end of his or her term.

A

C.

A state governor resigns from office partway through his or her term.

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21
Q 
When signing a voter declaration on a voting registration form, voters are certifying all of the following things EXCEPT:
A.
They are at least 18 years old.
B.
They are a Republican or Democrat.
C.
They have filled out the form truthfully.
D.
They are a citizen of the United States.
A

B.

They are a Republican or Democrat.

22
Q 
Poll taxes and literacy taxes were used in the United States until they became illegal in the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A.
1990s
B.
1910s
C.
1930s
D.
1960s
A

D.

1960s

23
Q 
The 24th Amendment to the Constitution made \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ illegal in the United States.
A.
poll taxes
B.
literacy tests
C.
voting fraud
D.
impersonation
A

A.

poll taxes

24
Q

Which of the following actions is an example of impersonation?
A.
submitting extra ballots to vote multiple times
B.
testing a voter’s knowledge of the Constitution
C.
voting under another citizen’s name
D.
requiring a voter to show identification at the polls

A

C.

voting under another citizen’s name

25
Q

A city official notices that voting fraud has become a problem in the community. Which of the following actions would NOT be a step the official might take to stop voting fraud?
A.
matching the number of votes with the number of voters
B.
requiring voters to pay a poll tax before voting
C.
helping to create harsh punishments for people who steal votes
D.
requiring voters to show picture identification at the polls

A

B.

requiring voters to pay a poll tax before voting

26
Q 
Which of the following circumstances is NOT something that would require a voter to re-register?
A.
starting a new job
B.
changing political parties
C.
changing addresses
D.
moving to a new state
A

A.

starting a new job

27
Q

Voting for a president allows citizens to choose the course of America’s future. Which of the following statements is NOT a way that a president’s decisions can affect the country?
A.
appointing new Supreme Court justices
B.
helping to set the agenda for laws that are discussed in Congress
C.
choosing local officials in city and state governments
D.
determining how money is spent by creating a federal budget

A

C.

choosing local officials in city and state governments

28
Q

True of False

If a voter does not move or change party affiliations, his or her registration lasts for life.

A

true

29
Q

True of False

When poll taxes were used as an obstacle to voting rights, they were imposed on all citizens.

A

true

30
Q

Miguel is interested in voting in a local election that will choose new officials in his community. Which of the following issues would most likely be affected by his vote?
A.
whether a Supreme Court justice is nominated
B.
how the state budget is determined in the future
C.
what new laws will be discussed in the US Congress
D.
how money is spent on a new bus system in the city

A

D.

how money is spent on a new bus system in the city

31
Q

People who do not believe their actions can affect politics have no sense of ____.

A

political efficacy

32
Q

Why are the conclusions drawn about voter sociology sometimes inaccurate?
a.
conclusions are based upon numbers
c.
conclusions are based upon a variety of studies conducted
b.
conclusions are based upon a sampling of voters
d.
conclusions are based upon the high voter turnouts and exit poll sampling

A

c.

conclusions are based upon a variety of studies conducted

33
Q

Based on voter turnout statistics, it is clear that many people
a.
believe voting is too time consuming.
b.
have never voted.
c.
find voting for President more important than voting for members of Congress.
d.
tend to vote in off-year elections if the ballot is not too long.

A

c.

find voting for President more important than voting for members of Congress.

34
Q 
Which of the following is not a factor in determining a voter’s behavior?
a.
higher income
c.
higher educational level
b.
higher intellect
d.
higher occupational status
A

b.

higher intellect

35
Q

All of the following statements are true of the sociological factors that affect voters and voter behavior EXCEPT:

a.
Income influences the party that an individual may choice to be a member of. For instance, generally speaking individuals with lowers incomes register as Democrats while individuals with higher incomes register as Republicans.
b.
Gender influences the party that an individual may choice to be a member of. There is a measurable difference between the party choice of men and women. Generally speaking, more men register as Republicans while more women register as Democrats.
c.
Geography and family can influence the party that an individual may choice to register for. Where you live and who you associate with has an impact on the political decision making process.
d.
Registration requirements influence the party that an individual may choice to be a member of. This is because each party has different registration requirements; for instance, Republicans require that all members pass a test before registering while Democrats require that all members take a class to learn about the candidates.

A 
d.
Registration requirements influence the party that an individual may choice to be a member of.  This is because each party has different registration requirements; for instance, Republicans require that all members pass a test before registering while Democrats require that all members take a class to learn about the candidates.
36
Q

All of the following are reasons that people do not vote within the United States, EXCEPT

a.
long-term mental or physical illness or illness on an election day.
b.
legal reasons, such those imposed on resident aliens.
c.
widespread use of religious and literacy tests.
d.
low political efficacy.

A

c.

widespread use of religious and literacy tests.

37
Q

People who are strongly loyal to a given party have strong ____.

A

party identification

38
Q 
A non-voter may be motivated by which of the following factors?
a.
intelligence
c.
issues that concern the voter
b.
new voting requirements
d.
wanting to have a reason to complain
A

c.

issues that concern the voter

39
Q 
The single most significant predictor of a person's partisan voting behavior is his or her
a.
party identification.
b.
educational background.
c.
political efficacy.
d.
perceptions of government.
A

a.

party identification.

40
Q

Which of the following statements is NOT a reason why citizens should use their right to vote?
A.
Voting allows citizens to express their opinions.
B.
Citizens are required to vote by law.
C.
Citizens can influence public services and policies by voting.
D.
When voting, citizens help hold public officials responsible.

A

B.

Citizens are required to vote by law.

41
Q 
Your political party has four possible nominees for an upcoming presidential election. Which type of election would be held in order to help your party choose a single candidate?
A.
special
B.
bond
C.
general
D.
primary
A

D.

primary

42
Q

The presidential election of 1888, won by Benjamin Harrison, is an example of how a candidate can __________.
A.
be chosen by the House of Representatives after tying in the electoral vote
B.
win the election while also winning the popular vote
C.
be chosen by the Senate after tying in the electoral vote
D.
win the election despite losing the popular vote

A

D.

win the election despite losing the popular vote

43
Q 
When voters elect a president, they are choosing a president who may appoint new \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
A.
senators
B.
members of Congress
C.
governors
D.
Supreme Court justices
A

D.

Supreme Court justices

44
Q

Why are poll taxes illegal in the United States? In a short paragraph, explain how poll taxes are an obstacle that takes voting rights away from poorer citizens.

A

A poll tax is a tax that a citizen must pay in order to be eligible to vote. Citizens might be required to pay a significant amount of money in order to be able to use their constitutional rights. For poorer citizens, this may force the citizen to decide between spending money to take care of daily needs, or spending money in order to vote. In the past, many US states created poll taxes in order to create obstacles that would keep voters from certain races or ethnic groups away from the polls. A constitutional 24th Amendment made these taxes illegal.

45
Q

____ is the practice of voting for candidates of more than one party in any one election.

A

split-ticket voting

46
Q 
According to studies, which party has historically been supported by higher percentages of men than women?
a.
Democratic
c.
Independent
b.
Republican
d.
Green
A

b.

Republican

47
Q 
When registering to vote, a voter must show identification. Which of the following forms of identification is NOT used to provide proof of citizenship?
A.
a passport
B.
a state identification card
C.
a club membership card
D.
a driver’s license
A

C.

a club membership card

48
Q 
All of the following are reasons given for why people do not vote EXCEPT:
a.
long ballots
c.
voting by mail
b.
a difficult registration process
d.
long lines at the polling place
A

c.

voting by mail

49
Q

Describe three important requirements you must meet in order to vote in the United States.

A

In the United States, some voting requirements change from state to state. However, there are a few requirements that must be met by every voter. First, a voter must be 18 years old to cast a vote in an official election. Second, a voter must be a citizen: even if a person is a legal resident of the United States, they must have citizenship to participate. Finally, a voter must be registered. Even if potential voters are citizens at the right age, they won’t be eligible until they register with their county clerk.

50
Q 
On average, less than \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ percent of eligible voters participate in elections.
A.
10
B.
20
C.
40
D.
60
A

D.

60

51
Q 
In which type of election would citizens be most likely to vote on a proposition?
A.
closed primary
B.
runoff
C.
general
D.
open primary
A

C.

general

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