Unit 4: Political Participation

To win an election you need a _________ not the majority vote

plurality vote

Federal law actually prohibits interest groups, corporations, and labor unions from contributing their regular operating funds to political candidates. Instead, interests groups must form

political action committees (PACs)

groups that collect funds from donors and distribute them to candidates who support their issues

political action committees (PACs)

Elections are organized and paid for by the _________

states

A ___________ PAC is an organization designed to raise hard money to elect or defeat candidates traditional or Super

traditional

National Voter Registration Act

"Motor voter Act"- required states to allow voters to register when they get their driver's license

What is the largest amount of money a Political Action Committee can contribute per candidate

$5000

Prior to the Twenty-Sixth Amendment, what was the required age to vote? 1. 21 years old 2. 18 years old 3. 25 years old 4. 19 years old

1. 21 years old

Whom does a lobbyist represent? 1. A lobbyist can represent an individual, a company, a group of companies, unions, or a great variety of groups. 2. A lobbyist usually represents only a single individual. 3. A lobbyist cannot represent a government agency. 4. A lobbyist is generally an employee of just one interest group.

1. A lobbyist can represent an individual, a company, a group of companies, unions, or a great variety of groups.

Who or what is represented by a membership interest group? 1. A membership interest group represents a large number of people, usually paying dues, in support of common policy goals. 2. A membership interest group represents a set of local governments lobbying a higher level government. 3. A membership interest group represents a set of businesses with a common interest. 4. A membership interest group represents a single company.

1. A membership interest group represents a large number of people, usually paying dues, in support of common policy goals.

Which of these is true about the voting rights of women before the Nineteenth Amendment? 1. Before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, some states and territories allowed women to vote but most did not. 2. Before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, white women could vote but black women could not. 3. Before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, no women were allowed to vote in the United States. 4. Before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, all women could vote but very few chose to.

1. Before the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, some states and territories allowed women to vote but most did not.

How many electoral votes is the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.) entitled to? 1. D.C. is allowed no more electoral votes than the least populous state. 2. D.C.'s electoral votes are fixed at three. 3. D.C. is not a state and is therefore not eligible for electoral votes. 4. D.C. is allowed as many electors as its population allows.

1. D.C. is allowed no more electoral votes than the least populous state.

A law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission (FEC), provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions. 1. Federal Election Campaign Act 2. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 3. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

1. Federal Election Campaign Act

How do interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes? 1. Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes by contacting government officials and politicians and trying to influence the general public. 2. Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes only by lobbying elected politicians. 3. Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes by bribing politicians and government officials. 4. Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes primarily by outside lobbying with the general public.

1. Interest groups attempt to influence political outcomes by contacting government officials and politicians and trying to influence the general public.

Besides making campaign contributions, what can interest groups do to influence elections on a large scale? 1. Interest groups can inform voters and the public (perhaps through voter guides with candidate ratings) to make them aware of the candidates' positions on key issues. 2. Interest groups can lobby the president when making appointments to fill vacancies in Congress. 3. Interest groups can lobby state governments to gerrymander districts in favor of the Democratic Party. 4. Interest groups can lobby the judicial branch for favorable outcomes in election law cases.

1. Interest groups can inform voters and the public (perhaps through voter guides with candidate ratings) to make them aware of the candidates' positions on key issues.

Strategies in which interest group leaders appeal to the public for support and mobilize members in order to put pressure on decision-makers concerning public policies 1. Outside strategies 2. Inside strategies 3. Direct lobbying

1. Outside strategies

What was the primary effect of the Fifteenth Amendment? 1. The Fifteenth Amendment tried to increase participation by African Americans but failed because of discriminatory laws like poll taxes and literacy tests. 2. The Fifteenth Amendment increased turnout among African American women, but not among African American men. 3. The Fifteenth Amendment immediately and dramatically increased participation by African Americans. 4. The Fifteenth Amendment immediately and dramatically increased participation by women

1. The Fifteenth Amendment tried to increase participation by African Americans but failed because of discriminatory laws like poll taxes and literacy tests.

What was the objective of the Voting Rights Act of 1965? 1. The Voting Rights Act intended to remove the discriminatory practices of states, limiting the right to vote because of race. 2. The Voting Rights Act intended to allow voters to cast provisional ballots for federal elections even without photo identification. 3. The Voting Rights Act intended to streamline the voter registration process by allowing citizens to register by mail. 4. The Voting Rights Act intended to lower the voting age for federal elections to 18 years.

1. The Voting Rights Act intended to remove the discriminatory practices of states, limiting the right to vote because of race.

Which factor should you consider LEAST important when challenging an incumbent? 1. The popularity of the issues you are representing 2. The general re-election rate of House incumbents 3. How much money you can raise 4. Whether the Congressional district is gerrymandered

1. The popularity of the issues you are representing

How was the political party caucus initially used? 1. To allow a political party's congressional legislators to decide on the party's nominees for president. 2. To determine the policy positions--or platform--of a political party. 3. To determine the strategy for electing a political party's candidates to office. 4. To make the candidate nomination process of a political party more democratic.

1. To allow a political party's congressional legislators to decide on the party's nominees for president.

Which of these events occurred after the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment? 1. Women gradually began voting in larger numbers until their level of turnout matched or exceeded that of men. 2. Women's rates of electoral participation declined. 3. Women's participation rates immediately rivaled those of men. 4. Women's participation rates increased among African Americans, but not among whites.

1. Women gradually began voting in larger numbers until their level of turnout matched or exceeded that of men.

Which of these would be an example of a public interest group? 1. A farmers organization lobbying for increased government subsidies on certain crops 2. A consumer rights group advocating for mandatory seat belt laws 3. A steelworkers union requesting better pay and benefits 4. An organization representing the pharmaceutical industry that works to decrease government regulations of prescription drugs

2. A consumer rights group advocating for mandatory seat belt laws

Which is an example of an interest group that follows an electoral strategy for making campaign contributions? 1. An interest group gives to incumbents because they are the most likely to win. 2. An interest group gives to a candidate who is a firm believer in the group's cause to try to push the candidate over the top to victory, thereby avoiding the need for much direct lobbying. 3. An interest group only contributes in open seat elections. 4. An interest group gives to both the incumbent and the challenger so the group will be guaranteed to have donated to the winning candidate.

2. An interest group gives to a candidate who is a firm believer in the group's cause to try to push the candidate over the top to victory, thereby avoiding the need for much direct lobbying.

The act or law that banned soft money 1. Federal Election Campaign Act 2. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 3. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

2. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

How has the cost of political campaigns for Congress changed? 1. Costs have remained proportional to the increased population. 2. Costs have rapidly increased, making campaigns more expensive. 3. The costs have slowly risen, more or less in keeping with inflation. 4. Costs have actually gone down over time.

2. Costs have rapidly increased, making campaigns more expensive.

The goal of a presidential candidate is to win the majority of the 1. Popular votes 2. Electoral Votes

2. Electoral Votes

What determines the outcome of presidential elections? Choose 2 1. Popular votes 2. Electoral votes 3. Swing states 4. The number of states won by each candidate.

2. Electoral votes 3. Swing states

The number of presidential Electors for each state is 1. Determined by the state's population. 2. Equal to the sum of the state's Representatives and Senators. 3. Distributed among the states, based on federal taxes. 4. A calculation based on the number of popular votes.

2. Equal to the sum of the state's Representatives and Senators.

Strategies in which interest group leaders develop close contacts with key decision makers in government and the public service in order to influence public policies 1. Outside strategies 2. Inside strategies 3. Direct lobbying

2. Inside strategies

What are interest group ratings and candidate score cards designed to do? 1. Interest group ratings and candidate score cards are intended to inform legislators in other countries about politics in the United States. 2. Interest group ratings and candidate score cards are intended to inform group members and the public about a candidate's positions on issues the group cares about. 3. Interest group ratings and candidate score cards are intended to help the interest group decide which legislators to lobby. 4. Interest group ratings and candidate score cards are intended to inform other legislators about what their peers are doing.

2. Interest group ratings and candidate score cards are intended to inform group members and the public about a candidate's positions on issues the group cares about.

In their quest to influence the federal government, whom do interest groups lobby? 1. Interest groups lobby only the judicial branch of government. 2. Interest groups lobby Congress, the executive branch, and the judicial branch. 3. Interest groups lobby only the executive branch of government. 4. Interest groups lobby only Congress.

2. Interest groups lobby Congress, the executive branch, and the judicial branch.

What was the purpose of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993? 1. It transferred the responsibility of registering voters from the state governments to the federal government. 2. It allowed citizens to register at the same time they applied for a driver's license. 3. It mandated a minimum 30-day residency period for newly registered voters. 4. It permitted same-day registration for federal elections.

2. It allowed citizens to register at the same time they applied for a driver's license.

A brokered convention occurs when 1. The convention is delayed to resolve candidate claims over delegates. 2. No candidate acquires a majority of a party's delegates before the start of its convention. 3. Two candidates for a party's nomination agree to merge campaigns at the national convention. 4. Deals are made in formulating the national party's platform.

2. No candidate acquires a majority of a party's delegates before the start of its convention.

Which of these is a reform that multiple states have adopted to increase voter turnout? 1. Compulsory voting 2. Online voter registration 3. Mandatory registration 4. Voter identification laws

2. Online voter registration

Which statements are true concerning the Federal Election Campaign Act? Select the two correct answers. 1. Limits the amount of money a candidate can spend relative to her challenger 2. Requires candidates to report who donates to their campaigns 3. Imposes limits on individual contributions to a campaign 4. Provides for the public financing of congressional elections

2. Requires candidates to report who donates to their campaigns 3. Imposes limits on individual contributions to a campaign

What was an outcome of the Motor Voter Law that was passed in 1993? 1. The Motor Voter Law favored people with high socioeconomic status. 2. The Motor Voter Law increased voter registration but had only a modest effect on voter turnout. 3. The Motor Voter Law had little discernible impact on voter registration. 4. The Motor Voter Law reduced voter registration among non-drivers.

2. The Motor Voter Law increased voter registration but had only a modest effect on voter turnout.

Which organization is most likely to be represented by a legislative liaison? 1. A Political Action Committee 2. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 3. The National Rifle Association 4. The Coca-Cola Company

2. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Why was the Supreme Court case Citizens United v. FEC so important? 1. This court case changed the rules regarding "soft money" in the campaign finance system. 2. This court case allowed interest groups, corporations, and unions to spend unlimited sums of money as long as they don't coordinate their spending with a candidate. 3. This court case equated spending money with free speech. 4. This court case changed the rules about unlawful searches and seizures.

2. This court case allowed interest groups, corporations, and unions to spend unlimited sums of money as long as they don't coordinate their spending with a candidate.

What must a candidate do to be successful in the primaries? 1. A candidate must have the ability to organize and mobilize grassroots support. 2. A candidate must appeal for the support of independent voters. 3. A candidate must align and commit him or herself to the ideology of the party. 4. A candidate must be sure to begin campaigning late in the campaign season to avoid media scrutiny.

3. A candidate must align and commit him or herself to the ideology of the party.

Cannot limit campaign donations of corporations, corporations are people too. Removal of spending limits 1. Federal Election Campaign Act 2. Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act 3. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

3. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Direct interaction with public officials for the purpose of influencing policy decisions 1. Outside strategies 2. Inside strategies 3. Direct lobbying

3. Direct lobbying

Following the Citizens United decision, how likely is it that limits will be placed on election spending? 1. It is very likely as campaign spending by outside groups did not noticeably increase. 2. It is very likely as Congress can simply pass a new law. 3. It is unlikely because campaign costs have steadily risen and candidates need support. 4. It is unnecessary since the decision only made minor modifications in the existing laws.

3. It is unlikely because campaign costs have steadily risen and candidates need support.

Which of these statements is true about campaign funding? 1. Those running against incumbents usually attract a lot of funding. 2. Political parties control most of the available finances. 3. Money from PACs has been on the increase as a proportion of campaign contributions. 4. Individual contributions are no longer important.

3. Money from PACs has been on the increase as a proportion of campaign contributions.

Which of these is a consequence of most House districts now considered "safe seats"? 1. Candidates can be as outrageous as they want and still win. 2. It has become easier to vote out the incumbent. 3. The only election that matters occurs during the primary. 4. Third-party candidates have no real chance of winning.

3. The only election that matters occurs during the primary.

Over the past half-century, at what rate have House incumbents been re-elected? 1. 100% 2. 70% 3. 55% 4. 85%

4. 85%

Which statement is true regarding state representation in the House of Representatives? 1. A state's representation in the House of Representatives is equally proportioned among the states. 2. A state's representation in the House of Representatives is distributed proportionally according to a state's share of the partisan vote for president. 3. A state's representation in the House of Representatives is based strictly on population. 4. A state's representation in the House of Representatives is allocated among the states, roughly proportional to state populations.

4. A state's representation in the House of Representatives is allocated among the states, roughly proportional to state populations.

Which of these is an example of outside lobbying? 1. An interest group has its president meet with officials in the executive branch. 2. An interest group files an amicus brief in a Supreme Court case. 3. An interest group hires a contract lobbyist to visit members of a congressional committee. 4. An interest group runs television commercials encouraging citizens to call their senator and request support of a particular bill.

4. An interest group runs television commercials encouraging citizens to call their senator and request support of a particular bill.

What characteristic do PACs and Super PACs share? 1. Both PACs and Super PACs can make unlimited contributions to candidates. 2. PACs support conservative causes while Super PACs support liberal causes. 3. Both PACs and Super PACs represent only individual contributors. 4. Both PACs and Super PACs can spend money on behalf of a candidate in an election.

4. Both PACs and Super PACs can spend money on behalf of a candidate in an election.

Who benefited the most from the decision in the Citizens United case? 1. Political parties 2. Candidate campaign organizations with the infusion of funds 3. Private individuals 4. Corporations

4. Corporations

The key argument in support of the 26th Amendment was 1. Poll taxes placed an undue burden on the poor. 2. If women could own property, they should also be allowed to vote to protect that property. 3. Discrimination against racial minorities was immoral and unjust. 4. If an 18-year old could be conscripted to fight, they should be allowed to vote.

4. If an 18-year old could be conscripted to fight, they should be allowed to vote.

What was the effect of the Citizens United decision on spending? 1. The Citizens United decision supported efforts to limit massive campaign expenditures by groups. 2. The Citizens United decision treated Super PACs the same as other PACs for purposes of spending. 3. The Citizens United decision made soft money spending more difficult than hard money spending. 4. The Citizens United decision reversed the restrictions of the McCain-Feingold Act.

4. The Citizens United decision reversed the restrictions of the McCain-Feingold Act.

What happens if no candidate for president receives a majority of the electoral vote? 1. The electors are required to re-vote, with choices limited to the top two candidates. 2. The general election is re-held and the candidates run again. 3. The president is chosen during a joint session of Congress, with each state delegation voting. 4. The House of Representatives is called upon to choose who will be president.

4. The House of Representatives is called upon to choose who will be president.

How is a president selected if no one receives a majority vote in the Electoral College? 1. The choice goes to the house of Representatives where votes continue until one of the top three candidates receives the votes of a majority of the Representatives. 2. The candidate with the most votes is declared elected. 3. The electors vote again choosing between the top two candidates. 4. The choice goes to the House of Representatives to determine who of the top three finishers will be elected with each state having one vote.

4. The choice goes to the House of Representatives to determine who of the top three finishers will be elected with each state having one vote.

What is the primary goal of interest groups? 1. The primary goal of interest groups is to influence election outcomes. 2. The primary goal of interest groups is to change public opinion. 3. The primary goal of interest groups is to influence the selection of federal judges. 4. The primary goal of interest groups is to influence public policy.

4. The primary goal of interest groups is to influence public policy.

Which of these is not a requirement to be eligible to vote in the United States? 1. You must be 18 years old. 2. You must be a citizen. 3. You must be a resident. 4. You must have been born in the United States.

4. You must have been born in the United States.

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435

issue advocacy ads

Ads that focus on issues and do not explicitly encourage citizens to vote for a certain candidate

Motor Voter Law

Allows citizens to register to vote at welfare and motor vehicle offices

These documents present legal arguments stating why a given court should take a case or why a court should rule a certain way, or both

Amicus briefs

Suppose a fundraiser went out and asked several of her friends to contribute to a political candidate. Instead of collecting the money and writing a single check herself, she has her friends all make their checks out directly to the candidate but delivers all the checks to the candidate herself, in one package. What is this fundraising tactic? Cash compounding Bundling Money laundering Lumping

Bundling

Buckley v. Valeo

Candidates can use as much of their own money on their own campaigns. U.S. Supreme Court held that spending money in an election was essentially equivalent to free speech

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Cannot limit campaign donations of corporations, corporations are people too.

Gibbons v. Ogden

Commerce clause with boats

Of the choices below, which is the reason that states may legally use to deprive a citizen of the right to vote, under the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution? Color Race Previous status as a slave Conviction of a felony

Conviction of a felony

Work to elect a candidate who already believes or supports their interest Legislative strategy or Electoral strategy

Electoral strategy

They impliment the law

Executive branch

Answer to constituents' demands regularly

House of Representatives

At least 25 years old Senate or House of Representatives

House of Representatives

Term of office is 2 years Senate or House of Representatives

House of Representatives

U.S citizen for at least 7 years Senate or House of Representatives

House of Representatives

Which of these options is usually the basis for inside lobbying? Gifts Money Travel Information

Information

Lobbying efforts targeted at government officials Inside lobbying or Outside lobbying

Inside lobbying

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

Interest group

Which branch of government is an interest group lobbying when it files an amicus brief? Judicial Executive Legislative Media

Judicial

A closed-door meeting of a political party's leaders in Congress

King Caucus

Donate money to a candidate to gain an "in" with them either now or in the future Legislative strategy or Electoral strategy

Legislative strategy

__________ represent government institutions

Liaisons

What are the two phases of a presidential election

Nomination and election phase

Lobbying intended to influence public opinion which will in turn influence elected officials Inside lobbying or Outside lobbying

Outside lobbying Such as a press release or putting stories on the media

Collects a pool of money to donate to or against certain candidates or issues

PAC

____________ are limited in the amounts they can give but can coordinate their activities with candidates

PACs

soft money and hard money

Paper money/ Gold

A ____________ is the legal entity through which an interest group can legally make contributions

Political Action Committee

Groups that collect money for candidates who support certain issues

Political Action Committees

They want to benefit themselves Such as a company

Private interest groups

They want to benefit most citizens

Public interest groups

At least 30 years old Senate or House of Representatives

Senate

Term of office is 6 years Senate or House of Representatives

Senate

U.S citizen for at least 9 years Senate or House of Representatives

Senate

Money raised in unlimited amounts by political parties for party-building purposes. Now largely illegal except for limited contributions to state or local parties for voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. Soft money or Hard Money

Soft money

Who largely organizes and pays for elections in the United States? County governments City governments State governments The federal government

State governments

U.S. Term Limits v. Thornton (1995)

States cannot set term limits on members of Congress

Obergefell v. Hodges

States obligated to recognize same-sex marriage from other states.

A group created to raise and spend money to influence an election

Super PAC

They may accept donations of any size and can endorse candidates. Their contributions and expenditures must be periodically reported to the FEC. Super PAC or PAC

Super PACs

___________ are not limited in the amounts they can give but cannot coordinate their activities with candidates

Super PACs

Breedlove v. Suttles

The Supreme Court upheld poll taxes as constitutional

negative campaigning

The act of attacking an opposing candidate's platform, past political performance, or personal characteristics.

Lobbying Disclosure Act

This act requires the registration of lobbyists representing any interest group and devoting more than 20 percent of their time to it

incumbents

Those already holding office