Election Basics

Election Basics

Open Ended

Why do we have elections?

Multiple Choice

Why do we have elections in the first place.

• Democracies can only exist when we elect representatives.

• The constitution lays out the foundation for all elections in each state.

• The nation is far too complex to have each citizen to decide policies on an individual basis.

• Humans are naturally drawn to competition.

Multiple Choice

What is adverse selection?

• When we decide what to choose even though we do not have all of the information we need to make the best choice.

• When we deliberately choose something that is not good for us.

• When we disagree with both options, so we decide not to participate in choosing at all.

• When we make a choice that backfires on us

Multiple Choice

One of the benefits of elections is that it forces the candidate to be more _______________ with the voters.

• dishonest

• honest

• generous

• humble

Multiple Choice

Elections are beneficial for the democracy because it

• Creates jobs for media analysts

• They are considered the most entertaining of news events

• The give the people the power to eliminate policymakers who do a poor job

• They give hope to people in a hopeless world

Multiple Choice

The Constitution of the United States

• gives each state detailed instructions how to operate elections.

• says nothing about elections at all.

• said nothing about elections until the 19th amendment.

• says that the states are responsible for elections, but gives very little detail except in the case of the president.

Match

Match the following amendment with how it changed our election process

• Fixed the way the Electoral College chooses the president and vice president.

• established the direct election of United States senators in each state.

• eliminated poll taxes

• lowered the voting age to 18

12th Amendment

17th Amendment

24th Amendment

26th Amendment

• 12th Amendment

• 17th Amendment

• 24th Amendment

• 26th Amendment

Multiple Choice

The Federal Election Commission was developed to

• make voting more accessible to American voters, especially minority voters

• limit how many people could vote in each state

• establish rules to prevent widespread voter fraud

• choose candidates qualified to run for office

Multiple Choice

Ballots, registration, polling locations, and hours of operation are decided by

• the candidates

• the federal government

• the state governments

• the Constitution

Multiple Choice

Which government takes actions that mostly RESTRICTS voting rights.

• Federal Government

• State Governments

Multiple Choice

In a WINNER TAKE ALL election the candidate that wins the popular election in that state, even if they only get one more vote, gets...

• The percentage of electoral votes that equals the percentage of popular votes they received.

• All of the electoral votes

• The majority of the electoral votes

Multiple Choice

Duverger's Law states that

• complicated elections discourage voters from voting

• people will vote for the candidate that is most attractive physically

• people tend to vote for candidates that seem most intelligent

• voters will most likely vote for candidates they feel have the best chance of winning

Multiple Choice

When it comes to electoral votes _______ states have a winner take all policy.

• 48

• 50

• 25

• 38

Multiple Choice

One general problem in an election with many candidates is that

• there is typically too much wasted spending on election ads.

• too many ideas confuse voters.

• the winner will typically not have the support of the majority of the voters.

• it violates the guidelines of the constitution.

Multiple Choice

Historically, laws passed typically ________ voting rights and participation.

• increased

• decreased

• eliminated

Multiple Choice

Most voters are

• extreme right wing

• extreme left wing

• closer to the center of left and right

• open to candidates from all parts of the political spectrum

Multiple Choice

The two main parties (political teams) in the U.S. are

• Libertarian and Democrat

• Democrat and Republican

• Republican and Libertarian

• Libertarian and the Green Party

Multiple Choice

After caucuses and primaries, each party organizes a ____during which they ___?

• National convention, choose a presidential nominee.

• .

  political party, choose the party King and Queen.

• dance crew, film a Tik Tok.

Multiple Choice

If you want to become president, the first step is..

• campaign (have meetings) around the country to convince the people they are the best candidate for their party. 

• ... sign on a list and wait for nomination.

Multiple Choice

During the general election American citizens vote for ...

• ....the President.

• ....electors (a group of people either Republican or Democrat).

Multiple Choice

When is the president inaugurated? 

• January 20th

• Immediately 

• January 1st