AP Gov Unit 3

The state of Wisconsin has 10 electoral votes. In 2016, the Republican candidate, Donald Trump won 47.22% of the popular vote while the Democratic candidate, Hilary Clinton won 46.45% of the popular vote. The Libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson, won 3.58%, and the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, won 1.04%. Based on this information and your knowledge of the electoral college, which of the following correctly describes how Wisconsin's electoral votes were distributed among the candidates?

Donald Trump received all 10 of the state's electoral votes.

Which of the following correctly describes the electoral college vote and popular vote in the United States presidential elections?

Electoral College Vote: Candidate must win a majority. Popular Vote: Candidate does not need a majority to win.

A political cartoonist pokes fun at a congressman speaking at a podium, saying: "Nobody tells me what to do or say!" while holding a microphone labeled "Lobby." Which of the following best describes the message of the political cartoon?

Lobbyists control the messages delivered by members of Congress.

A newspaper publishes a cartoon captioned: "News: Courts OK Corporate Election Spending." The cartoon features a senator whose suit is covered in logos and an air-quote that says "No... I am not a NASCAR driver. I'm a U.S. senator." Which of the following best describes the message of the cartoon?

Members of Congress have become increasingly influenced by big business interests.

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of midterm elections and presidential/general elections?

Midterm Elections: Involve a lower voter turnout due to low-profile candidates. residential/General Elections: Have a higher voter turnout due to the presidential election

You have become disenchanted with both mainstream parties and have registered as an Independent voter. During the primary season the Republican party has a candidate you want to vote for. Which type of primary election below would allow you to cast a ballot?

Open Primary

Which chart best matches with the description of these types of primaries?

Open Primary: A primary election that does not require party affiliation to cast a ballot. Closed Primary: A primary election that is is open only to registered voters of that party.

Which of the following is a correct comparison of open and closed primaries?

Open Primary: Voters can choose to vote in either party's primary, regardless of party affiliation. Closed Primary: Only registered party members can vote in that party's primary.

Which of the following statements describes a limitation that PACs have in attempting to influence candidates and campaigns?

PACs are restricted to receiving campaign donations of a maximum of $5000 and can only transfer that money to campaigns, parties, or other PACs.

As political campaigns have become centered around the power and influence of the candidates themselves rather than political parties, which of the following is an increasingly important role of parties in political campaigns?

Parties mobilize voters to get to the polls on election day.

Which of the following describes a significant impact of national party conventions on presidential campaigns?

Party conventions receive a great deal of national media attention.

Which of the following describes a critical election as that term is used by political scientists?

The election represents a substantial shift in the partisan preferences of voters.

In which of the following situations is the interest group representative most likely to be given access to the government official(s)?

The interest group representative has information related to legislation that is being debated by a congressional committee.

Which of the following best describes an example of horse race journalism?

The media provides daily updates on the polling numbers of the two major party presidential candidates.

Which of the following is the best explanation for why a political party might change its position to begin supporting increased civil rights protections?

The party hopes to increase its support among minority groups.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes why linkage institutions are necessary in the U.S. political system?

They connect the average citizen to all levels of government.

Those with high levels of political efficacy are more likely than others to

vote in elections.

Which of the following statements provides an accurate rationale for publicly funded elections?

A greater range of candidates might consider running for office.

Which of the following scenarios would most likely be considered a violation of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?

A political party takes in millions of dollars from a few wealthy donors to create "party" rallies that really just focus on electing the candidate.

Based on the descriptions, in which of the following states is voter turnout likely to increase most significantly during presidential election years?

A state that has chosen candidates of different parties in the last two presidential elections.

Which of the following accurately describes voter participation in an open primary?

A voter arrives at the polls on election day, and she is asked whether she wishes to vote in the Republican primary or the Democratic primary.

A newspaper publishes a cartoon captioned: "News: Courts OK Corporate Election Spending." The cartoon features a senator whose suit is covered in logos and an air-quote that says "No... I am not a NASCAR driver. I'm a U.S. senator." Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most directly connected to the topic of the cartoon?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

15th Amendment

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race, color , or precious condition of servitude

Which of the following is a consequence of the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002?

Campaign advertisements for candidates were now required to state who created the message.

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

19th Amendment

Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (1920) extended the right to vote to women in federal or state elections.

Which of the following best describes an advantage of incumbents when running for election?

Government officials are generally fairly well-known to their constituents.

Which of the following best describes a way that interest groups serve as linkage institutions in the political process?

Interest groups educate the public about political policy by providing expert information.

Which of the following correctly describes roles played by interest groups and political parties in the political process?

Interest groups: Educate electorate about political issues. Political Parties: Recruit candidates for political office

In 2016, the major party presidential nominees held two-thirds of their official campaign events in just 6 states, and in many states, no official events were held. This illustrates which of the following impacts of the electoral college on presidential elections?

It can make elections less democratic by making competitive states disproportionately more important in the outcome of elections.

Which of the following describes a significant criticism of the electoral college system in the United States?

It limits democracy because the choice of president is not by direct election.

In 1980, NBC news declared the Republic candidate, Ronald Reagan, the winner of the presidential election over the Democrat Jimmy Carter 3 hours before the polls closed on the West Coast. Which of the following is a potentially controversial impact of the media using exit polls to declare election winners before polls have closed?

It may decrease voter turnout for both parties.

Which of the following correctly describes the popular vote and the Electoral College vote in presidential elections?

Popular Vote: Direct vote of the electorate. Electoral College Vote: Vote of those appointed by state legislatures

Which of the following describes a reason why third parties rarely achieve electoral success in the United States?

Popular third party policies are often adopted by major parties.

Which of the following factors could result in different voter turnout percentages in different states for the presidential election?

Some states allow same-day registration and some states require advanced registration.

26th Amendment

States cannot deny the right to vote based on age (18+)

Which of the following best describes an example of an iron triangle?

The Department of Agriculture meets with lobbyists from the American Farm Bureau Federation to discuss a request for funding to be submitted to the House Committee on Agriculture.

17th Amendment

The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote.

Which of the following best describes the impact of 24th Amendment?

Voters can no longer be required to pay in order to vote, allowing for poorer citizens to have the right to vote protected.

Which of the following best describes how the frequent reporting of poll results during a campaign can impact an election?

Voters may be motivated to turn out on election day if the polls make the election appear to be closely contested.

Which of the following correctly identifies the activities which are functions of political parties and those which are not?

function of political party:Establish a party platform. Not a function of political party: Determine voter qualifications