USG Quiz 13.5 The Election

Today, each State’s presidential electors are chosen by

• direct popular vote

• the State legislatures

• the political parties

• the governor

If there is a tie in the electoral vote for President,

• a runoff election must be held in the electoral college within 30 days

• the House of Representatives chooses among the top two candidates

• the House of Representatives chooses between the top three candidates

• Congress meets in joint session to choose between the top two candidates

Which of the following is NOT a defect in the electoral college system?

• The winner of the electoral vote is not automatically the same as the winner of the popular vote

• Electors are not legally bound to vote for the candidate who wins their State’s popular vote

• The result is usually not known for weeks or months after the popular vote

• There is always the possibility of a tie

The major criticism of the proportional plan is that it would

• weaken federalism

• give an unfair advantage to large States

• weaken the two-party system

• make the system less responsive to the will of the people

Direct popular election is unlikely to be adopted because

• a constitutional amendment would be required

• small States oppose direct election

• a truly national campaign would cost even more than the present system

• all of the above

Match the following

• electorate

• a system in which each presidential candidate would receive the same share of a State's electoral vote that he or she won in the popular vote

• proportional plan

• people vote for the President and the Vice President, not for electors

• direct popular election

• a system that would weight the current winner-take-all system in favor of the winner of the popular vote

• national bonus plan

• a system in which presidential electors would be chosen by each of a State's congressional districts

• district plan

• the mass of people who actually cast votes in an election