Understanding the Electoral College

Multiple Choice

What was one of the concerns the framers of the Constitution had about congressional selection of the President?

• The people would have no say in the country’s leader

• The President would have too much power

• The election process would be too expensive

• The President would be selected too quickly

Multiple Choice

Why did the framers of the Constitution fear direct popular election of the President?

• They feared who the people might select

• They thought it would be too complicated

• They believed it would take too long

• They were concerned about voter fraud

Dropdown

What was the compromise solution for electing the President that combined features of both congressional selection and direct popular election?

Select answer

Multiple Choice

How does the electoral college reflect federalism?

• By ensuring states have a role in selecting the president

• By allowing the President to be elected by Congress

• By giving the Supreme Court the final say in elections

• By making the election process faster

Multiple Choice

According to Alexander Hamilton, what was the primary reason for forming an intermediate body of electors?

• To ensure the President is elected by a popular vote

• To reduce the opportunity for tumult and disorder

• To increase the power of the President

• To make the election process faster

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How often is the US Census taken to determine the number of representatives each state will have in the House of Representatives?

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Every 5 years

Every 10 years

Every 15 years

Every 20 years

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What determines the number of electors for each state in the Electoral College?

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The number of senators only

The number of representatives only

The number of representatives and senators

The number of governors

Multiple Choice

What is each state worth in the Electoral College?

• Points based on their population

• Points based on their representation in Congress

• Points based on their land area

• Points based on their economic output

Drag and Drop

Who appoints the electors in the United States?

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The President

The Supreme Court

Each state legislature

The Congress

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What is a requirement for someone to be an elector?

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They must be a member of the military

They must be loyal political party members

They must be a judge

They must be a business owner

Dropdown

Who can be an elector?

Select answer

Dropdown

What are electors not allowed to do?

Select answer

Multiple Choice

Where do electors' names appear?

• On the back of the ballot

• On the ballot under the candidate they will vote for

• On a separate sheet of paper

• On the candidate's website

Multiple Choice

What is one advantage of Electors according to James Madison?

• They can make decisions based on their own judgment.

• They are always guided by the public opinion.

• They do not need to know the candidates personally.

• They must follow the first choice of their constituents.

Multiple Choice

What is one reason Electors might be left to their own judgment?

• They have no information about the candidates.

• They are guided by further information acquired by them.

• They are required to follow the public opinion strictly.

• They are not allowed to make independent decisions.

Drag and Drop

Which state has the highest number of electoral votes?

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Texas

Florida

California

New York

Multiple Select

Which of the states have the least number of electoral votes?

• Delaware

• Hawaii

• Alaska

• Michigan

• Vermont

Dropdown

How many total electors are there in the U.S. Electoral College?

Select answer

Multiple Choice

What happens if no candidate reaches 270 electoral votes in a U.S. presidential election?

• The candidate with the most popular votes wins

• The election is decided by the Senate

• The election is decided by the House of Representatives

• A new election is held

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To win the U.S. presidency, a candidate needs at least how many electoral votes?

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270

300

435

538

Multiple Choice

In the U.S. Electoral College system, who gets all of a state's electoral votes?

• The candidate who wins the majority of counties in the state

• The candidate who wins the popular vote in the state

• The candidate who wins the most congressional districts in the state

• The candidate who wins the most cities in the state

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a possible issue with the Electoral College?

• Winning the popular vote guarantees winning the electoral college vote.

• Electors are required by federal law to vote according to the state popular vote.

• Swing states receive less attention during an election year.

• It is possible to win the popular vote but lose the electoral college vote.

Multiple Choice

What does neither the Constitution nor federal law require electors to do?

• Vote according to the state popular vote.

• Vote according to their personal preference.

• Vote according to the national popular vote.

• Vote according to the party's decision.

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Which states get almost all the attention in an election year?

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All states equally.

Swing states.

States with the largest population.

States with the smallest population.