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US Politics > Unit 5: The Electoral Process and Direct Democracy > Flashcards

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
Q

Name the 3 forms of direct democracy

A

Propositions

Referendums

Recall elections

26
Q

Define propositions

A

Citizens can propose laws on a state level

27
Q

Name 3 steps to filing a proposition

A

File with a state official

Circulate to get required signatures

Submit to officials for verification

28
Q

Define a recall election

A

Voters can remove an elected official before their term has expired

29
Q

Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to structural reasons

A

Constitution vs Parkiametary sovereignty

Federalism vs devolution

Role of SC and judicial review

30
Q

Name 3 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons

A

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
Q

Name 2 reasons why campaign finance is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons

A

Importance of free speech

Concern over too much government control - fear of tyranny

32
Q

Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is similar or different in the UK and US due to structural reasons

A

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
Q

Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to rational reasons

A

Attacks more personal in US

Both focus on swing states/constituencies

Both place importance on personal skills

34
Q

Name 3 reasons why the electoral process is different in the UK and US due to cultural reasons

A

US has more diversity, both minorities favour left wing

US religious right, UK not

Younger voters more left wing - tuition fees and immigration

US Politics (4 decks)

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