18.2 - Influences on Voters

Voters can place their own proposed law on the ballot through

• a popular referendum.

• a legislative referendum.

• an initiative.

• a general referendum.

What term lengths do members of Congress serve?

• senators, two years; representatives, six years

• senators, six years; representatives, two years

• senators, four years; representatives, six years

• senators, six years; representatives, four years

Television ads showing the candidate as energetic, patriotic, and trustworthy are part of establishing the candidate's

• image.

• qualifications.

• platform.

• background.

Midterm elections are

• presidential elections held in the middle of a congressional term.

• House elections held in the middle of a Senate term.

• Senate elections held in the middle of a House term.

• congressional elections held in the middle of a president's term.

How can voters get a popular referendum on the ballot?

• by pressuring the legislature to place the measure on the ballot

• by voting to do so at a regular meeting of the legislature

• by gathering enough signatures

• by voting to do so at a caucus of voters

People who vote a straight party ticket

• have conflicting pressures from different elements of their identity.

• have strong party loyalty.

• are likely to switch their votes based on issues.

• consider the qualifications of all candidates before deciding.

Once elected, the president serves a term of

• two years

• four years

• six years

• eight years

What is one reason why voter participation in the United States is so low?

• Most voters don't feel an attachment to either party.

• Many voters cannot afford to pay the fee to vote.

• Elections are too infrequent to create voter enthusiasm.

• Voters must register to vote and re-register if they move.

One proposal made for increasing voter turnout is to

• change Election Day to Saturday or Sunday.

• reduce the number of early voting days.

• change from a national to a local registration system.

• stop allowing absentee balloting.

In 2013, the Supreme Court declared parts of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, leading to

• greater voter participation.

• broader federal oversight of elections.

• stronger voter ID laws.

• longer open hours at polling places.