3.14 electoral college

How do we know how many electors each state gets?

• Count the number in the State House of Representatives

• Count the number of people in the State Senate

• Count the number of Representatives in the House

• Add the number of Representatives and the number of Senators

Answer explanation

The number of electors each state gets in the Electoral College is determined by adding the number of its Representatives and Senators in the U.S. Congress. Each state has two Senators, while the number of Representatives varies based on the state's population. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Add the number of Representatives and the number of Senators'.

How old do you have to be to run for president?

• 18

• 25

• 35

• 45

Answer explanation

The question asks about the minimum age requirement to run for the presidency. The correct answer is 35. This is specified in Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that 'neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty five years.'

A state's "Congressional Representation" includes

• both its number of United States Senators and Representatives

• only its number of United States Senators

• Congressional Representation does not include senators or representatives

• only its number of United States Representatives

Answer explanation

The term 'Congressional Representation' for a state refers to the total number of its members in the United States Congress. This includes both its Senators and Representatives. Each state has two Senators, while the number of Representatives varies based on the state's population. Therefore, the correct answer is 'both its number of United States Senators and Representatives'.

Presidents and Vice Presidents are not chosen by direct popular vote, but by a body known as the...

• electoral college.

• Congress.

• Supreme Court.

• electorate.

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'electoral college'. In the United States, Presidents and Vice Presidents are not chosen by direct popular vote. Instead, a body known as the 'electoral college' is responsible for this task. The other options, 'Congress', 'Supreme Court', and 'electorate', are not involved in this process.

The number of votes a state has in the electoral college is based on...

• which party won the popular vote

• the state's Congressional representation

• how many people voted.

• the age of its eldest elector minus the age of its youngest elector

Answer explanation

The number of votes a state has in the electoral college is based on its Congressional representation. This includes both the number of Representatives and Senators a state has in Congress. It is not based on the party that won the popular vote, the number of people who voted, or the age difference between the eldest and youngest elector.

Which word in the statement above describes this process the BEST?

• primary election

• party platform

• general election

• winner-take-all

Answer explanation

The question asks for the term that best describes a certain process. The correct answer is 'winner-take-all'. This term is often used in politics to describe a system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of whether they have a majority. The other options, 'primary election', 'party platform', and 'general election', do not accurately describe this process.

How many electoral votes are needed to win a presidential election?

• 269

• NONE

• 270

• 538

Answer explanation

The question asks about the number of electoral votes required to win a presidential election. The correct answer is 270. This is because the total number of electoral votes is 538, and to win, a candidate must secure more than half, which is at least 270 votes.

Why is campaigning a small states like Delaware and Rhode Island necessary?

• Campaign rules require it

• The governors invite the candidates.

• In close elections, their votes make a difference.

• Party platforms require it.

Answer explanation

The question asks why campaigning in small states like Delaware and Rhode Island is necessary. The correct answer is that in close elections, their votes make a difference. This means that even though these states have a smaller population, their electoral votes can be crucial in determining the outcome of a close election. Therefore, candidates campaign in these states to secure these important votes.

If someone receives the most votes in an election, they have received __________ votes.

• anonymous

• a minority of

• a majority of

• unanimous

Answer explanation

The question asks who has received the most votes in an election. The correct answer is 'a majority of'. This is because the person who receives the most votes in an election has received more than half of the total votes, which is a majority. The other options, 'anonymous', 'a minority of', and 'unanimous', do not accurately describe this situation.

How many electoral college votes is needed in order to win the Presidency?

• 100

• 270

• 435

• 538

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 270. In the United States, a candidate needs a majority of the electoral college votes to win the Presidency. The total number of electoral college votes is 538, so a candidate needs more than half of these, which is at least 270, to win.