ss.8..CG.2.6 Elections and Voting (Assessment #s)

Which action would most impact citizens at the state level?

• voting for school board 

• voting for governor 

• voting for president 

• voting for mayor 

Answer explanation

Elections for governor are an example of how elections and voting impact citizens at the state level.

A is Incorrect- Elections for school boards are an example of how elections and voting impact citizens at the local level.

C is Incorrect- The election of a president would impact citizens at multiple levels, but it is not most directly impactful at the state level. Elections for president are an example of how elections and voting impact citizens at the national level.

D is Incorrect- Elections for mayor are an example of how elections and voting impact citizens at the local level.

Which two political parties take an active role in shaping U.S. public policy today?

• Democratic and Republican 

• Democratic and Libertarian 

• Socialist and Republican 

• Socialist and Libertarian 

Answer explanation

The Democratic and Republican parties shape public policy today because one of these parties is the majority party in every state legislature and in the U.S. Congress

B is Incorrect- The Libertarian Party does not hold enough seats in any state legislature, or Congress, to shape public policy in the United States.

C is Incorrect- The Socialist Party in the United States has too few supporters to take an active role in shaping public policy.

D is Incorrect- The Socialist and Libertarian political parties have too few supporters to take an active role in shaping public policy in the United States.

These ideas are based on those found in a document adopted by a political party in the United States.

________________________

That the federal government is one of limited powers…

That Congress has no power to charter a national bank… 

…states are the sole and proper judges of everything [pertaining] to their affairs…

__________________________

Which political party most likely adopted this document?

• Whig 

• Federalist 

• Democratic 

• Republican 

Answer explanation

The views of the Democratic Party at its origin supported a small and unintrusive national government, less government spending, a national bank, and the needs of the “common man.”

A is Incorrect – The Whig Party was a predecessor to the Republican Party and emerged in opposition to the Democratic Party views listed in this question.

B is Incorrect – The Federalist Party was one of the first political parties in the United States and favored a stronger national government over state governments.

D is Incorrect – The Republican Party views at its origin supported a national banking system and focused on stopping the expansion of slavery.

This conversation is part of a historical political discussion. 

--------------------------- 

Lou: I am going to vote for the candidate who will stop the expansion of slavery. 

Bob: Yes, I don’t believe slavery should be legal in any territory of the United States. 

--------------------------- 

Which party’s candidates are these voters most likely to support?

• Democratic 

• Republican 

• American 

• Socialist 

Answer explanation

The Republican Party was originally formed with the goal of stopping the expansion of slavery as one of its top priorities.

A is ncorrect- The Democratic Party, at its origin, supported slavery.

C is Incorrect- The American Party was a political party in the United States from 1854-1860 and focused primarily on an anti-immigrant platform.

D is Incorrect- The Socialist Party was not founded in the United States until 1901 after the question of slavery had been decided.

Which campaign information source is most likely to promote trust in democratic institutions?

• a television commercial about a presidential 

  candidate sponsored by a political party

• the congressional voting record of a Congress 

  member running for 

  re-election

• flyers sent through the mail by Congress members 

  running for re-election

• interest group ratings of a Congress member running for re-election

Answer explanation

The voting record of a member of Congress running for re-election or for a different office is the most accurate representation of the candidate’s viewpoint across issues.

A is Incorrect- Political party television commercials are not as accurate as other campaign information sources because political parties generally provide information that best represents the political party’s focus.

C is Incorrect- Information provided by the Congress member is not the best representation of the Congress member’s record because, as a candidate, the Congress member will provide only the information that represents the candidate and not a complete picture.

D is Incorrect- Interest group ratings are not as accurate as other sources because the interest group will likely provide only information that best represents the interest group’s focus.

This diagram shows steps in the election process at the national level.

Which statement best completes this diagram?

• Political parties hold 

  midterm elections.

• The winner of the political debates takes the oath of office.

• Primary elections are held to narrow down the 

  candidates.

• State legislatures cast votes to determine who will 

  appear on the ballot.

Answer explanation

Primary elections are nominating elections held to choose party candidates who will then run in the general election.

A is Incorrect- Midterm elections are general elections that are held halfway through a president’s term of office.

B is Incorrect- The winner of the debates is subjective and debate performance does not determine an election winner.

D is Incorrect- Primary elections determine which names will appear on the ballot for a general election. State legislatures do not vote on their choices for this.

This table describes changing political party associations of governors. 

Based on this table, what is likely an impact of political

parties on policymaking over time?

• Policymaking will be 

  shaped by Republican 

  views at the state and 

  national levels.

• Policymaking will be 

  limited by a divided 

  government at the state and national levels.

• Policymaking will better reflect the will of most citizens at the state and national levels.

• Policymaking will require compromise from the 

  Democratic Party at the state and national levels.

Answer explanation

In a federal system, power is shared between the national and the state governments. The more Republican governors there are, the more likely that the issue positions of these governors will be heard by national lawmakers.

B is Incorrect- The growing dominance of the Republican Party over time suggests that they will have enough power to promote policy changes despite opposition.

C is Incorrect- This option assumes that most citizens voted for Republicans, although not all citizens vote.

D is Incorrect-The dominance of the Republican Party removes the opportunity for Democrats to secure a compromise.

These quotes are from two presidents that represented different political parties. 

What do these quotes suggest about the relationship between political parties and public policy?

• Political parties may have core disagreements about appropriate public policy for the nation.

• Political parties focus 

  primarily on spending as the most important aspect of public policy for the nation.

• Political parties require unified support among citizens to achieve public policy goals for the nation.

• Political parties have an obligation to promote their public policy positions for the nation.

Answer explanation

Political parties are often built around core policy issues and seek to differentiate themselves from each other based on their policy positions.

B is Incorrect- While these quotes discuss spending, and political parties may have spending as a core element of their platforms, it is generally one among many issues rather than the sole focus.

C is Incorrect- Political parties may often seek to implement their policy goals even without a shared consensus that crosses party lines. It depends on their strength in the legislature rather than public support.

D is Incorrect- Political parties are not 

obligated/required to do anything. They have a responsibility to support their constituents in their beliefs.