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Political Parties and Elections Quiz (SOL CE 5.a, b, & e)

Total questions: 41

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What type of political system do we have in the United States?

a)

Two-party system

b)

Multi-party system

c)

Third-party system

d)

There is no political system

2.

Before your parents vote for Virginia's governor, what did they have to do?

a)

Go to their polling place

b)

Sign a petition

c)

Register

d)

Pay their taxes

3.

When the Republicans selected Barbara Comstock to run for Congress, what function are they fulfilling?

a)

Help candidate win

b)

Recruit and nominate candidates

c)

Educate the electorate

d)

Monitor officholders

4.

If your parents got phone calls and postcards about the Democratic candidate Jennifer Wexton before the elections, what function was the Democratic party fulfilling?

a)

Helping candidate win

b)

Monitoring officeholders

c)

Recruiting candidate

d)

Educating the electorate

5.
Both Republicans and Democrats want to win votes from what part of the political spectrum?
a)
Left
b)
Center
c)
Right
6.

The Libertarian Party is an example of a ...

a)

Wasted vote

b)

Third party

c)

Civic responsibility

d)

Civic duty

7.
How many days do you have to register before elections?
a)
14 days
b)
7 days
c)
21 days
d)
22 days
8.
If someone says "you are apathetic" what do they mean?
a)
You are awesome.
b)
You are lazy.
c)
You don't care.
d)
You have a cold.
9.
A person who graduated from college is more likely to vote than a person who graduated from high school.
a)
False
b)
True
10.
An 18 year old high school graduate is more likely to vote than a 65 year old retiree. 
a)
True 
b)
False
11.
What qualifications do you need to register to vote in Virginia?
a)
Legal alien, 21 years old, live in VA
b)
US citizen, 21 years old, live in any state
c)
US citizen, 18 years old, live in VA
d)
US citizen, 18 years old, live in any state
12.

How could you register to vote?

a)

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

b)

Online

c)

In person at the registrar's office

d)

All of the above

13.
The Green Party strongly advocates for renewable energy sources. How does this fit in what we learned about third parties?
a)
Revolves around a personality
b)
Press for a particular issue
14.

What are the two reasons why people fail to vote?

a)

Failed to register; apathy

b)

Too busy; Don't know where to vote

c)

Don't like the candidates; Don't think their vote counts

d)

Failed to register; Too busy

15.
A statement that expresses a parties principles, beliefs or position in an election is called ________________. 
a)
Plank
b)
Platform 
c)
Soap box
d)
Floor
16.
The party that is out of office watches the actions of the other party for mistakes or misuses of  power. This is called being a ____
a)
Poor Sport
b)
Watch dog
c)
Federalist 
d)
Progressive 
17.

Which is NOT a function of a political party?

a)

Nominate canidates

b)

Educate about the platform

c)

Campaign

d)

Amend the constitution

18.
The primary role of a third party is to…
a)
Keep the best candidate from winning 
b)
Inform the public about shortcoming of other parties 
c)
Highlight an candidate 
d)
Introduce ideas or push or an issue 
19.

Which is NOT a similarity between political parties?

a)

Reflect liberal and conservative views

b)

Organize to win elections

c)

Influence public policies

d)

Discuss similar issues on their platform

20.

All of the following are characteristics of third parties EXCEPT

a)

Revolve around a political personality

b)

Typically win elections

c)

Often takes votes away from the two main parties

d)

Introduce new ideas and/or press for a particular issue

21.

The differences between political parties are stated in the

a)

Party strategies

b)

Party platforms

c)

Functions of the parties

d)

Party handbooks

22.

Republicans ask Missouri Governor Eric Greitens, a Republican, to resign after he was accused of blackmail. Which function does the political party fulfill?

a)

recruiting and nominating candidates

b)

helping candidates win

c)

monitoring actions of officeholders

d)

educating the voters about issues

23.

Which current party is typically more conservative?

a)

Whigs

b)

Democrats

c)

Republicans

d)

Anti-Federalists

24.

What main function do third parties have?

a)

Introduce new ideas

b)

Recruit and nominate candidates

c)

Educate the electorate

d)

Help candidates win

25.

Which amendment gave African-Americans the right to vote?

a)

13th

b)

14th

c)

15th

d)

19th

26.

Which amendment banned the use of poll taxes?

a)

26th amendment

b)

17th amendment

c)

23rd amendment

d)

24th amendment

27.

Which amendment gave 3 electoral votes to Washington DC?

a)

17th amendment

b)

12th amendment

c)

26th amendment

d)

23rd amendment

28.

Which amendment set the voting age to 18?

a)

26th amendment

b)

24th amendment

c)

19th amendment

d)

23rd amendment

29.

Which amendment gave women the right to vote?

a)

13th amendment

b)

15th amendment

c)

19th amendment

d)

26th amendment

30.

What happened as a result of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

a)

The number of registered black voters increased by hundreds of thousands

b)

Election day was changed to a Wednesday

c)

A large number of white people moved to the South

d)

The number of white voters decreased by hundreds of thousands

31.

All of the following are qualifications to register to vote in Virginia EXCEPT

a)

U.S. citizen

b)

18 years old by day of general election

c)

Licensed driver

d)

A resident of Virginia and precinct

e)

Register at least 22 days before the general election

32.

Voting is a basic ___________ of citizenship.

a)

Duty

b)

Right

c)

Responsibility

33.

Which of the following is NOT a factor in predicting which citizens will vote?

a)

Gender

b)

Education

c)

Income

d)

Age

34.

Which of the following is a reason why citizens fail to vote?

a)

Lack of transportation

b)

Do not know where to go to vote

c)

Lack of interest, apathetic

d)

Do not have a driver's license

35.

A citizen can register to vote in all of the following ways EXCEPT

a)

in person at the registrar's office

b)

online

c)

by mail

d)

at a local local church

36.

Party members raise money for party candidates to

a)

recruit and nominate candidates.

b)

educate the electorate.

c)

help candidates win elections.

d)

monitor the actions of officeholders.

37.

ALL political parties are similar in that,

a)

they all appeal to the political center

b)

reflect both liberal and conservative viewpoints

c)

are organized to win elections

d)

they help candidates win elections

38.

What is the purpose of a political party?

a)

Allow a path to citizenship

b)

Provide opportunities to participate in the political process

c)

Give citizens the right to vote

d)

Create laws

39.

How do third parties affect elections?

a)

Often take votes away from the two major parties

b)

Introduce new ideas and/or press for a particular issue

c)

Revolve around a political personality like Theodore Roosevelt

d)

Often win elections

40.

What do the 15th Amendment, 19th Amendment and Voting Rights Act of 1965 have in common?

a)

Freedom of speech

b)

Freedom of religion

c)

Early voter registration

d)

Guarantee the right to vote

41.
In the United States elections occur in what month?
a)
September
b)
October
c)
November
d)
January