Unit 5: The Electoral Process and Direct Democracy Flashcards

1
Q

Name the 4 types of election in the US

A

Presidential

Congressional

Primaries

Direct Democracy

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2
Q

Name 3 ways the US electoral system could be considered effective

A

Lots of participation

Majoritarian system used in most elections - provides clear result

States have a large role

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3
Q

Name 3 ways the US electoral system could be considered ineffective

A

Voter fatigue

Favours two party system

States often manipulate elections e.g gerrymandering, ID laws

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4
Q

Name 3 ways midterms could be considered important

A

The coattails phenomenon (Pres. carries popular candidates into office with them) has diminished by midterms

Pres party usually loses seats in both houses - voters can express dissatisfaction with pres performance

Split ticket voting

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5
Q

Name 3 ways midterms could be considered UNimportant

A

Strong support for incumbents

Split districts have been declining

Less competitive districts

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6
Q

Name the 7 stages of the Presidential election process in order

A

Invisible primary

Primaries and caucuses

VP candidates

National party conventions

General election campaigns

Election day

The electoral college

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7
Q

Name the 3 constitutional requirements to become President

A

Natural-born American citizen

35 years old

Residency qualification of 14 years

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8
Q

Define invisible primary

A

The period between candidates declaring an
intention to run for the presidency and the first primaries and caucuses

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9
Q

Define primaries

A

A state-based election to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency.

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10
Q

Define caucuses

A

A state-based series of meetings to choose a party’s candidate for the presidency.

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11
Q

Define national party convention

A

The meeting held every four years by each of the two major parties to select presidential and vice presidential candidates and agree the party platform

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12
Q

What is the difference between a closed and open primary?

A

Closed - only registered party members can vote, Open - anyone can vote

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13
Q

What is the difference between Proportional and Winner-takes-all primaries?

A

Proportional - delegates awarded proportional to votes, Winner takes all - whoever gets most votes gets all delegates

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14
Q

Name 3 advantages of primaries and caucuses

A

Increased participation

Staggered length means many states can influence outcome

Increased choice

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15
Q

Name 2 disadvantages of primaries and caucuses

A

Voter apathy

Focus on candidates not policy

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16
Q

Name 2 reasons why national party conventions are and are not important

A

Yes: Party unity, enthuse voters

No: Candidates decided through primaries, VP candidates announced before elections

17
Q

Name 3 reasons why the electoral college should be abolished

A

Small states over represented

Loser of popular vote can win

Potential deadlock

18
Q

Name 3 reasons why the electoral college should not be abolished

A

Small states represented

Tradition - created by founding fathers, hard to abolish due to amendment

Other reforms more important

19
Q

Name 5 factors determining election outcome

A

Incumbency

Money

Media

Key issues

Leadership

20
Q

Name 3 ways campaigns are financed

A

PACs and Super PACs

Self-funding

Matching funds

21
Q

What is matching funds?

A

An attempt to limit campaign expenditure by offering to match reduced funds

22
Q

Name 3 reasons to reform campaign finance in the US

A

2020 spent more money than 2012 and 2016 combined

Only personally wealthy can enter politics

Loopholes e.g super PACs

23
Q

Name 3 reasons to not reform campaign finance in the US

A

Candidates still need to appeal to all voters

Spending doesn’t mean victory - Clinton

First Amendment - freedom of speech

24
Q

What impact did 9/11 have on voter behaviour?

A

9/11 - shift toward republican, increase participation

25
Name the 3 forms of direct democracy
Propositions Referendums Recall elections
26
Define propositions
Citizens can propose laws on a state level
27
Name 3 steps to filing a proposition
File with a state official Circulate to get required signatures Submit to officials for verification
28
Define a recall election
Voters can remove an elected official before their term has expired
29
Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to structural reasons
Constitution vs Parkiametary sovereignty Federalism vs devolution Role of SC and judicial review
30
Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons
People donate to further own beliefs People make decisions on variety of factors People have more freedom to spend money in US (liberal US vs. conservative UK)
31
Name 2 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons
Importance of free speech Concern over too much government control - fear of tyranny
32
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is similar or different in the UK and US due to structural reasons
US has primaries and caucuses but UK doesn’t Both set limited terms for elected offices Both use FPTP - but UK uses different in devolved
33
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons
Attacks more personal in US Both focus on swing states/constituencies Both place importance on personal skills
34
Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons
US has more diversity, both minorities favour left wing US religious right, UK not Younger voters more left wing - tuition fees and immigration