Voting

Paulo is a citizen and a resident of the city where he’s voting. On Election Day, he votes in favor of a new law. The law receives majority support and passes. It goes into effect on January 1. This is an example of

• direct democracy.

• representative democracy.

• a presidential election.

• an absentee ballot.

Ariella is a citizen and a resident of the state where she’s voting. On Election Day, she votes for the candidate she wants to represent her. The candidate who wins will go onto vote on laws as part of the US Senate. This is an example of

• direct democracy.

• representative democracy.

• a presidential election.

• an absentee ballot.

In the US, presidential elections occur every ________ years.

• 2

• 4

• 6

• 8

In November 2014, there was a general election for seats in US Congress. All seats in the House of Representatives and half the seats in Senate were up for election. What type of election was this?

• presidential election

• special election

• midterm election

• ballot initiative

Which of these is not a requirement to vote in the United States?

• a US citizen

• a state resident

• at least 21 years of age

• not in prison for a felony

An informed voter is one who does which of these?

• knows which issues matter most to them

• researches the candidates

• learns about the candidates’ platforms

• all answer choices are correct

Which of these best allows people to hear directly from several candidates at one time about different issues?

• an op-ed in the newspaper

• a political ad

• a campaign rally

• a debate

Which of these best describes the history of voting rights in the US?

• The only major change to voting rights in the US occurred when the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age.

• At the founding of the country, voting was a right granted to white, landowning men. Different activists from different eras in history worked hard to expand and protect voting rights for African-Americans, women and other formerly excluded groups.

• Voting has been a right granted and protected to men and women of all races since the founding of the country.

• At the founding of the country, voting was a right granted only to white, landowning men. A single piece of legislation in 1865 expanded and protected voting rights for men and women of all races.

In the US today, a person can be required to do which of these in order to vote?

• graduate from a four-year college or university

• pass a literacy test

• pay a tax at their polling place

• register in their state of residence

Voter turnout refers to the

• percentage of eligible voters who actually cast a ballot.

• percentage of citizens meeting the requirements who actually register to vote.

• average distance people live from their polling place.

• number of people represented by a candidate they did not vote for.