People and Politics

Many officeholders eventually leave their jobs and enter the private sector, working as lobbyists and consultants. This practice is known as what?

The revolving door

This aspect of the Electoral College system makes it more difficult for a third party to ever have a realistic chance of competing.

The winner-take-all system

Identity two ways elections have changed since the turn of the century?

- Campaigns are more expensive/reduction in campaign finance restrictions, social media now plays an essential role, etc.

Explain two reasons why we have not abolished the Electoral College.

- It requires a Constitutional amendment, it benefits the smaller states by guaranteeing they have 3 electoral votes, there isn't a consensus on how to reform the system, etc.

What are two ways that interest groups influence the judicial branch?

- Litigation, amicus curiae briefs

What are two differences between mid-term elections and presidential elections?

- Lower voter turnout in mid-term elections, no presidential contest in mid-terms, less media attention, etc.

What are the two qualifications to vote in the Unites States?

- Must be 18 years old and a US citizen

What are two functions/roles of political parties?

- Nominating candidates for office, supporting political candidates, operating the government/governing, clarifying positions on issues, etc.

Interest groups exert influence through their mutual relationships with bureaucratic agencies and congressional committees, also known as these:

Iron triangles

How does the voter turnout rate in the US compare to other Western democracies?

It is lower than most

What are two examples of mass media?

TV, internet, radio, newspapers

These voters at national conventions are an example of how parties are attempting to maintain control over the candidate nomination process.

Super delegates

What are three activities that take place at party conventions?

Unifying the parties, finalizing the party platform, nominating the presidential and vice presidential candidates, delivering speeches, etc.

What age demographic has the lowest voter turnout?

18-25

If the United States were to require every eligible citizen to vote, they would be demanding what?

Compulsory voting

What amendment gave African Americans the right to vote?

15th amendment

What are two differences between political parties and interest groups?

- Political parties deal with broad issues and interest groups are more specific, parties nominate candidates and interest groups do not, parties are more accountable to the public.

What are two differences between primaries and caucuses?

- Primaries are more common, fewer people attend caucuses, caucuses require a greater time commitment.

What are two ways Presidential campaigns differ from Congressional campaigns?

- Size, presidential races are more competitive (incumbency advantage greater in Congress), more people vote in presidential elections, Congressional members can provide services to constituencies and blame problems on the president.

According to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, what is the maximum amount of money an individual can contribute directly to a candidate's campaign?

2000

How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win a presidential election?

270

What is the minimum number of electors a state is guaranteed?

3 (1 for each senator and 1 for each representative)

What are the three Constitutional qualifications a presidential candidate must meet in order to run?

35 years old, natural born citizen, and resident of the U.S. for 14 years.

How much money can a PAC contribute to presidential candidate?

5000

What are three contributions of minor parties?

Address controversial issues the other two parties shy away from, introduce new ideas, impact the outcome of elections by pulling votes away from the other two parties, provide additional candidate options in an election, etc.

Which radical group has the highest likelihood of voting Democrat?

African Americans

What is the media's primary role in the policy making process

Agenda Setting

When a presidential candidate chooses a running mate with distinctly different qualities, they are said to be doing what?

Balancing the ticket

This 2002 act aimed to eliminate soft money contributions?

Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act

What are three consequences of the Electoral College?

Candidates disproportionately visit swing states, it limits the prospects of third party candidates, the winner take all system gives all electoral votes to the winner of each state instead of dividing them proportionally, the winner of the election may not have won the popular vote, etc.

A meeting of party members to discuss and choose a presidential candidate is referred to as what?

Caucus

Which Supreme Court case paved the way for Super PACs by declaring corporate campaign contributions a form of free speech?

Citizens United v. FEC

An election in which a significant number of voters change their traditional patterns of party loyalty is known by which term?

Critical election

Which role of the media helps make political reputations and "mentions" presidential candidates?

Scorekeeper

What are two factors that typically disqualify an individual from voting?

Felony record, illegal status

This congressional perk allows members to mail items for free, which increases the incumbency advantage during election time.

Franking privilege

Which role of the media influences which subjects are brought to national attention?

Gatekeeper

What did the 19th amendment do?

Gave women the right to vote

Identify three obstacles to minority voting that we have since outlawed:

Grandfather clauses, poll taxes, literacy tests, white primaries

When interest groups encourage their members to all call their local representatives over a policy issue, they are utilizing which tactic?

Grass roots efforts

Money given directly to a candidate that is placed under strict restrictions is known by this name.

Hard Money

What are two factors that make someone more likely to vote?

Higher education, higher income, older

This type of journalism focuses on who is ahead in the polls as opposed to the candidates' stances on the issues.

Horse race journalism

Which chamber of Congress has the greatest incumbency advantage?

House of Representatives

Name three types of minor parties

Ideological, Splinter/Factional, Economic Protest Parties, and Single/One Issue Parties

What are three factors that make someone more likely to vote for a Democrat?

If someone if younger, makes a lower income, is African American, is a woman

What are two factors that make someone more likely to vote Republican?

If someone is older, makes a higher income, men are slightly more inclined to vote Republican

What are two consequences of divided government?

Increased partisanship/less compromise, gridlock, slower confirmation process, decline in trust of government

This term describes spending by PACs to help a candidate, but done separately from them.

Independent expenditures

Julia is a registered independent and finds out that she cannot participate in her state's primary election. Why would that be?

Julia's state has a closed Primary and she must be registered under a certain party

Media, parties, interest groups, and elections are all considered what type of institution?

Linkage institution

Groups like the ACLU and NAACP are famous for using which interest group tactic?

Litigation

What are two tactics employed by interest groups?

Lobbying, litigation, grass roots efforts, etc.

Which two states do not have a winner-take-all system?

Maine and Nebraska

When the media uses labels, emotionally charged language, and only highlight selective stories, they are contributing to what problem?

Media Bias

These elections tend to have little more than 40% voter turnout

Midterm/Off-tear elections

A party system in which numerous political parties compete and have a realistic chance of winning political office is known by which term?

Multiparty System

Explain three reasons why incumbency serves as an advantage in elections?

Name recognition, history of service, ease in fundraising, use of government resources- franking, travel perks, etc.

Identify two activities that take place at party conventions?

Nomination of presidential candidate, nomination of VP candidate, speeches, adoption of the party platform, unification of each party.

Give two examples of swing states:

Ohio, Flordia, Colorado, Virginia

During the primary process, candidates focus their attention on which group of voters?

Party Activists

What is the number one determinant of how an individual will vote?

Party Identification

This occurs after a critical election in which the majority party is displaced/replaced by a minority party:

Party Realignment

What is the number one determinant of how someone will vote?

Party identification

All of the competing interest groups contribute to what type of political system?

Pluralist system

Which type of system requires a candidate to receive more votes than other candidates without requiring a majority?

Plurality System

A committee set up by a corporation, labor union, or interest group to raise and spend money to advocate for the election of a candidate is referred to by what name?

Political Action Committee

What is the term for the belief that citizen's vote will make a difference and have an effect on the outcome of an election?

Political efficacy

The American Medical Association is an example of which type of interest group?

Professional Organizations

If the United States were to divide electoral votes in each state based on the percentage of votes that each candidate won, what kind of system would that be?

Proportional System

Of all the tactics used by interest groups, this is the most important.

Providing Information

Interest groups that exist for the common good, not just its members are called what?

Public interest groups

Taylor doesn't really like Donald Trump, but greatly values a conservative Supreme Court and believes Trump will be the best candidate to deliver that, so he casts his vote for him anyway. This is an example of what type of voting?

Rational-choice voting

Fast forward to the 2020 election. Kim has greatly disapproved of the president's actions these past four years. She therefore will be voting for the opposing candidate in the upcoming election. This is an example of what type of voting?

Retrospective voting

Besides voting, identify three other forms of political participation?

Running for office, giving money to a campaign, working on a campaign trail, joining an interest group

What are three different reasons the United States continues to have a two-party system?

Single-member districts, plurality system, winner-take-all system, historically we have always had 2 parties, legal barriers to third parties

What are two examples of ideological parties?

Socialist, Communist, Libertarian, etc.

These short clips are only 7-8 seconds and often attract more attention than long speeches.

Sound Bites

Parties are becoming more fragmented and as a result, voters are increasingly voting for candidates of different parties on the same ballot, also known as this:

Split ticket voting

If you live on the West Coast, you are more likely to vote for which political party?

The Democratic Parfty

What law made voter registration easier by allowing people to register to vote while applying for or renewing a driver's license?

The Motor Voter Act or 1993

In general, older voters are more likely to vote for which political party?

The Republican Party

Jeremy is a big advocate of individual gun rights and benefits from the activities of the NRA. However, he has never joined nor given to the group financially. This is a classic example of what?

The free-rider problem

What are three reasons people give for not voting?

They are too busy, registration is too difficult, elections take place on weekdays (making them inconvenient), elections are too frequent, lack of political efficacy, etc.

What are two regulations placed on lobbyists?

They must register, they must report the names of their clients and income, they may not give gifts to officeholders, etc.

What are two roles of interest groups?

To inform the public and public officials, to influence the policy making process, to support policymakers, etc.

What are two common criticisms of interest groups?

Too much money and power, difficult to know how many people they actually represent, etc.

What is the number one form of political participation?

Voting

Which President specifically warned about the effects of political parties?

Washington

Which amendment changed the method of election for the US Senators from state legislators to popular election?

the 17th amendment

How were poll taxes eliminated?

the 24th amendment

Which amendment changed the voting age to 18?

the 26th amendment

What measure eliminated literacy tests and saw a large increase in the number of African Americans who registered to vote?

the Voting Rights Act of 1965