Civics Unit 4 - Electoral College & Linkage Institutions Guide

How does the Electoral College limit the voting power of citizens?

• The Electoral College eliminates the influence of political parties.
• The Electoral College allows direct voting for the President by citizens.
• The Electoral College ensures every citizen's vote counts equally.
• Sometimes a president is elected who did not receive a majority of popular votes.

The Democratic and Republican candidates for lieutenant governor have just squared off in a tough election. After all the votes were counted, the Democratic candidate pulled out a narrow victory. He will be the state’s next lieutenant governor. This describes what?

• the results of a general election

• the results of a primary election

• the results of the state caucus

• the results of the Electoral College

Which of the following best describes an “informed electorate”?

• Voters are aware of current laws/government policies and understand their effects on the world around them.

• Voters turn out in large numbers to vote on Election Day.

• Citizens are informed who won an election the same day that they voted.

• Voters fail to go to the polls in large numbers because they lack confidence in government leaders.

Miriam’s congressional campaign has just launched a series of ads. Half of the ads feature her past accomplishments and talk about her patriotism. The other half criticize her opponent and point out that he was investigated by the IRS. All of Miriam’s ads are examples of what?

• negative campaigning

• positive campaigning

• canvassing

• propaganda

All of the following tend to be part of political campaigns except

• propaganda

• glittering generalities

• funding from PACs

• mandatory sentencing.

Which of the following would not be considered part of the mass media?

• NBC’s nightly news broadcast

• The New York Times newspaper

• a private Instagram account

• Newsweek magazine

Which of the following is a strategy used by political candidates during a campaign?

• annexation

• limited government

• affirmative action

• “stacking cards”

What is a meeting of party leaders to discuss issues or choose candidates?

• platform

• patronage

• caucus

• canvass

What is an election in which voters make final decisions about candidates and issues?

• political machine

• direct primary

• caucus

• general election

“I’ve been your neighbor for 20 years.” is an example of what type of propaganda?

• glittering generality

• plain folks

• transfer

• name-calling