Unit 3 -congressional Elections And Direct Democracy Flashcards
What happened in 2016 which challenges incumbency
Democrat congresswoman Tammy duckworth beat republican incumbent mark kirk
In 2014 national exit polls 45% of people cited what as their main concern
The economy
What is one thing the republicans promised when negatively campaigning against Obama in the 2014 midterms
Promise to repeal health care reform act
What was the 2014 mid term election turnout
36.3%
What was the midterm youth vote decrease from 2012 to 2014
19% votes in 2012
13% votes in 2014
A vote by a resident in ______ counts four times as much as one in _________
Full in the blank
Wyoming
California
In 2012 which campaign spent together $100 million on tv ads in key swing state Ohio
Obama and Romney
What was the amount raised by candidates in 2016 elections
$1.3 billion
What was the ammount raised by SUPER PACS
$615 million
What is a PAC
A political action committee organised for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect or defeat candidates
How much can pacs hive to a candidate per election
$5,000
What is a SUPERPAC?
Make independent expenditures in federal races eg running ads / sending mail
Do superpacs make contributions to candidates or parties?
No
Give an example of a SUPERPAC
American crossroads
Explain citizens united vs federal election commission 2010
Political spending is a protected form of speech under the first amendment and the gov can not keep corporations or individuals from spending money to support or oppose candidates in elections. Corporations/unions cannot give money directly to the campaigns but they can through ads and other means of influencing the voting public
Eg super pacs
What was the bipartisan campaign reform act 2002
Banned special interest groups from spending corporate or labour union money on broadcast ads that mention a candidate just prior to an election
This was ultimately overturned by citizens united 2010
What did McConnell vs federal election commission 2003 say
Declared unconstitutional the laws prohibit action on minors making contributions to candidates and political parties
Allowed parents to make contributions in their child’s name
Give examples of presidents who have adapted to new platforms meaning they thrived in elections
Nixon vs Kennedy first tv debate
Trump vs Hillary twitter
Give an example of a referendum about marijuana
Proposition 64 legalising marijuana 17 ballots put forward 15 by citizens signatures 2 by legislatures California
Give an example of a failed recall election
Scott Walker 2012
Republican , ppl wanted his out due to signing a austerity budget signed by Scott
A successful recall election?
Gray Davis 2003
Failed to get 50% of the vote
Disliked because of Californian electrical crisis
Give an example of an initiative
Proposition 8 2008
California removed the right of same sex couples to marry
