Election Quiz

What type of election has a vote where party members select their candidates?

• General Election

• Primary Election

Answer explanation

A Primary Election is where party members vote to select their candidates for the general election. In contrast, a General Election is when voters choose among the candidates selected in the primaries.

The candidate that wins the popular vote (getting the most votes) becomes President.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The statement is false because the U.S. President is elected through the Electoral College system, not solely by the popular vote. A candidate can win the popular vote but still lose the presidency.

the Electoral College benefits smaller states because it...

• ensures that the candidate with the most votes wins the presidency

• ensures candidates focus their campaigns on states with large populations

• helps smaller states to have a role in selecting the president

• removes the need to campaign in rural areas

Answer explanation

The Electoral College helps smaller states have a role in selecting the president by giving them a minimum number of electoral votes, ensuring their interests are considered in the election process.

A problem with the "winner-takes-all" system is that it ....

• focuses attention on swing states

• leads to a president who wins the popular vote

• encourages voter turnout in all states equally

• forces candidates to campaign in less populated areas

Answer explanation

The "winner-takes-all" system concentrates campaign efforts on swing states, as candidates focus on areas where the outcome is uncertain, neglecting states with predictable results. This leads to unequal attention across the country.

The Electoral College has resulted in a president being elected without winning the popular vote...

• in just the last two election

• only in elections where federalists were campaigning

• five times

• in almost every modern election

Answer explanation

The Electoral College has led to a president being elected without winning the popular vote five times in U.S. history, notably in the elections of 1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016, making 'five times' the correct choice.

What would happen without the Electoral College?

• candidates would only focus on voters in cities with big populations

• smaller states would have more influence than larger states

• presidential elections would be determined on swing states

• campaigns would focus more on less populated states

Answer explanation

Without the Electoral College, candidates would likely concentrate their efforts on populous cities, neglecting rural areas and smaller states, leading to an imbalance in campaign focus and representation.

What are some requirements to vote in U.S. elections?

• registered to vote

• be 18 years old

• pay all your taxes

• have a high school diploma

Answer explanation

To vote in U.S. elections, you must be registered to vote and at least 18 years old. Paying taxes and having a high school diploma are not requirements for voting.

When is election day?

• October 7th, 2024

• November 3rd, 2026

Answer explanation

Election Day in the United States is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. In 2024, this falls on November 5th, making it the correct answer.

How many electoral votes do you need to become president?

• 270

• 250

• 300

• 280

Answer explanation

To become president, a candidate needs a majority of the electoral votes. There are 538 total electoral votes, so 270 is the minimum required to win the presidency.

"Winner take all" means that all of a state's electoral votes go to the candidate who had the majority of votes in that state.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True. "Winner take all" means that the candidate with the majority of votes in a state receives all of that state's electoral votes, which is a common practice in U.S. presidential elections.