11/12 Do Now

Which of the following best describes an open primary?

• A primary where only registered party members can vote
• A primary where any registered voter can participate regardless of party affiliation
• A primary where voters can select candidates from any party for each office
• A primary that requires a runoff if no candidate receives over 50% of the votes
• A primary limited to independent voters only

Answer explanation

An open primary allows any registered voter to participate in a party's primary regardless of affiliation, promoting wider voter participation.

The process by which electoral district boundaries are redrawn following each census is known as:

• Gerrymandering
• Apportionment
• Redistricting
• Reapportionment
• Malapportionment

Answer explanation

Redistricting redraws district boundaries to reflect population changes post-census, typically controlled by state legislatures.

The Twenty-third Amendment (1961) granted electoral votes to which of the following?

• Puerto Rico
• Washington, D.C.
• Native American reservations
• U.S. territories in the Pacific
• The state of Alaska

Answer explanation

Ratified in 1961, this amendment allowed D.C. residents to participate in presidential elections with electoral votes.

What is the primary purpose of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

• To oversee the Electoral College
• To enforce campaign finance laws for federal elections
• To organize and conduct federal elections
• To regulate state election procedures
• To monitor political party activities

Answer explanation

The FEC enforces campaign finance laws, ensuring transparency and integrity in federal elections.

In a plurality voting system:

• The candidate must receive over 50% of the votes to win
• The candidate with the most votes wins, even without a majority
• Seats are allocated based on the percentage of votes received
• A runoff election is required if no candidate gets a majority
• Voters rank candidates in order of preference

Answer explanation

In a plurality system, the candidate with the most votes wins, even without achieving a majority.

Which type of gerrymandering aims to increase the representation of minority groups in Congress?

• Partisan gerrymandering
• Racial and ethnic gerrymandering
• Incumbent gerrymandering
• Bipartisan gerrymandering
• Judicial gerrymandering

Answer explanation

Racial and ethnic gerrymandering creates majority-minority districts to enhance minority representation.

Midterm elections in the United States are characterized by:

• Higher youth voter turnout compared to presidential elections
• Election of the president
• Occurring halfway through a president’s term
• Lower importance compared to general elections
• Being held every four years

Answer explanation

Midterm elections occur halfway through a presidential term, often acting as a referendum on the president's performance.

What is the primary advantage of incumbents in congressional elections?

• Automatic reelection
• Greater name recognition and access to campaign resources
• Immunity from gerrymandering effects
• Ability to change electoral rules in their favor
• Guaranteed media coverage

Answer explanation

Incumbents benefit from name recognition and established relationships, making it challenging for challengers.

A primary in which voters can select candidates from any party for each office on the ballot is called a:

• Closed primary
• Open primary
• Blanket primary
• Runoff primary
• Top-two primary

Answer explanation

In a blanket primary, voters can choose candidates from any party for different positions, maximizing choice.

Which of the following systems allocates seats based on the percentage of votes each party receives?

• Winner-take-all system
• Plurality system
• Majority system
• Proportional system
• Electoral College system

Answer explanation

Proportional systems assign seats based on vote percentages, encouraging multi-party representation.