12 Week Exam

Political parties can be defined as a group of people who

• work to control government by getting candidates elected to political offices.

• disagree on how to resolve the basic issues affecting the country.

• work separately to support one major program or policy.

• support split-ticket voting.

The United States has a two-party system mainly because

• the Constitution established a democratic government.

• leaders and voters agreed on the existence of two parties.

• Conflicts about the Constitution created opposing viewpoints.

• it was voted on and approved by both houses of Congress.

Which of the following is a sign of weakened political parties?

Group of answer choices

• campaigning for party candidates

• newly registered voters

• straight-ticket voting

• split-ticket voting

Most U.S. citizens today

• hold political parties in high regard.

• favor mandatory party membership.

• identify with neither political party.

• vote a straight party line.

All of these options are reasons for Americans not voting in U.S. elections EXCEPT

• widespread use of religious and literacy tests.

• long term mental or physical illness or illness on election day.

• rules and regulations that make registration and voting cumbersome.

• apathy or distrust of politics.

Typically, in off-year elections, the political party that controls the presidency

• Gains seats in Congress

• loses seats in Congress

• is not affected by off-year elections.

• is defeated by third-party candidates.

The majority of Americans vote

• in presidential elections

• in primary or special elections

• in off-year elections

• for county offices rather than for State offices.

The United States political system has a

• none of the answers

• multi-party system.

• one-party system.

• two-party system.

Disproportionally few members of Congress

• are married.

• have college degrees.

• are minorities.

• are white males.

The Founding Fathers established a bicameral congress, meaning

• it is divided into two houses.

• it has twice the members of the Senate.

• it is divided into two parties.

• it meets twice a year.