Exploration of US Elections

What do elections allow citizens to do?

• Travel abroad

• Have a voice in shaping the nation’s future

• Earn money

• Buy property

Answer explanation

Elections empower citizens to participate in democracy, allowing them to express their opinions and influence decisions that shape the nation's future, making 'Have a voice in shaping the nation’s future' the correct choice.

What is one of the main purposes of voting in a democracy?

• To choose leaders and make decisions

• To increase taxes

• To avoid responsibilities

• To create new holidays

Answer explanation

One of the main purposes of voting in a democracy is to choose leaders and make decisions that affect the community, ensuring that citizens have a say in their governance.

What does voting ensure about the government?

• It represents the people

• It controls the weather

• It provides free internet

• It builds more schools

Answer explanation

Voting ensures that the government reflects the will and interests of the people. It is a fundamental mechanism for democratic representation, making 'It represents the people' the correct choice.

What percentage of citizens 18+ voted in 2020?

• 60%

• 70%

• 66.8%

• 75%

Answer explanation

In the 2020 election, 66.8% of citizens aged 18 and older participated in voting, making it the correct choice among the options provided.

What age group is referred to in the 66.8% voting statistic?

• Under 18

• 18 and older

• 21 and older

• 16 and older

Answer explanation

The 66.8% voting statistic refers to individuals who are 18 and older, as this is the legal voting age in many jurisdictions. Therefore, the correct answer is '18 and older'.

What interesting outcome can the Electoral College system lead to?

• A candidate winning the popular vote but losing the election

• A candidate winning without any votes

• A candidate winning by default

• A candidate winning all states

Answer explanation

The Electoral College can result in a candidate winning the popular vote but losing the election, as seen in instances like the 2000 and 2016 elections, where the distribution of electoral votes did not reflect the nationwide popular vote.

Who do electors represent in the Electoral College?

• Themselves

• The voters of their state

• The U.S. Congress

• The Supreme Court

Answer explanation

Electors in the Electoral College represent the voters of their state. They are chosen to cast votes based on the preferences of the electorate, ensuring that the choice of the president reflects the will of the people in their state.

What might a candidate win but still lose the election?

• The popular vote

• The electoral vote

• The state vote

• The congressional vote

Answer explanation

A candidate can win the popular vote, which is the total number of votes cast by the public, but still lose the election due to the electoral vote system, where electors in each state ultimately decide the winner.

Which states get more electoral votes?

• States with more cities

• States with higher populations

• States with more land

• States with more schools

Answer explanation

Electoral votes are allocated based on population, as each state's representation in Congress (and thus its electoral votes) is determined by its population size. Therefore, states with higher populations receive more electoral votes.

What is the total number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?

• 270

• 300

• 250

• 280

Answer explanation

To win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of the 538 electoral votes available. This means they must secure at least 270 electoral votes, making 270 the correct answer.