Pols 2311 - Module 4

In which of the following areas have the "conservative" and "liberal" major parties switched positions over time? a international trade and civil rights b international trade and environmental protection c decentralization of government and environmental protection d civil rights and criminal justice

NOT d

What is the main purpose of the Democratic and Republican national conventions? a Delegates selected for the various candidates of each party gather to officially nominate their party's candidate for president. b This marks the beginning of the primary phase of U.S. presidential elections. c Typically, this is where presidential candidates learn for the first time whether they have secured enough delegates to win their party's nomination. d Parties use these conventions to strategize about the midterm elections.

a Delegates selected for the various candidates of each party gather to officially nominate their party's candidate for president.

Which group currently constitutes the largest share of the American electorate? a Democrats b Republicans c Independents d Federalists

a Democrats

Consider the following hypothetical legislative election results. Which of the following answers accurately describes what would happen if the outcome is determined by a simple plurality vote? Geraldo Moreno (Green Party) = 46 percent Claudia Barnes (Purple Party) = 20 percent Shawn Kollman (Orange Party) = 34 percent a Geraldo Moreno would win the election because he has more votes than any other candidate. b Claudia Barnes would be dropped from the election and a run-off would be held between the remaining two candidates. c The seats in the legislature would be divided between the parties with the Green Party receiving five seats, the Purple Party two seats, and the Orange Party three seats. d Shawn Kollman would win the election because the Orange and Purple Parties would form a coalition against the Green Party, giving them majority support.

a Geraldo Moreno would win the election because he has more votes than any other candidate.

Why are presidential campaigns only active in 8 to 10 states? a Most states will reliably vote for the candidate of one party and no amount of campaigning will change that b Social media has made other forms of campaigning irrelevant c It is too expensive to campaign in every state d There aren't enough volunteers for the campaigns to cover more states

a Most states will reliably vote for the candidate of one party and no amount of campaigning will change that

Which of the following statements about super delegates is true? a Republican party super delegates are elected officials from the party whose vote in the nomination process represents the interests of the central party committee. b Democratic party super delegates are elected officials from the party whose vote in the nomination process secured the nomination for President Biden in 2020, who had only a bare majority in the initial round of voting. c Republican party super delegates have dictated the outcome of the nomination process in two of the last four elections. d Democratic party super delegates represent the interests of party loyalists but are now prohibited from voting except under a narrow set of circumstances.

a Republican party super delegates are elected officials from the party whose vote in the nomination process represents the interests of the central party committee.

Which of the following statements most accurately describes a criticism of the current presidential election system? a The presidential election effectively only takes place in a handful of states, and tens of millions of voters across the country are ignored because they happen to live in a "safe" state. b The presidential election places equal importance on each state, regardless of its size or population. c The presidential election takes place over a short period of time, and voters cannot be expected to make up their mind so quickly. d The presidential election costs a lot less than it should.

a The presidential election effectively only takes place in a handful of states, and tens of millions of voters across the country are ignored because they happen to live in a "safe" state.

Which of the following effects on party organization can be attributed to the advent of mass media, which allows for direct communication between politicians/candidates and voters? a The strength of the party organization has increased because the central party leadership is better able to communicate with voters. b The strength of the party organization has increased because the central party leadership has become the clearinghouse for individual politician/candidate messaging. c The growth of direct communication media has weakened the central party organization insofar as individual candidates are more easily able to communicate with voters and raise campaign funds. d The advent of direct communication technology has had no real effect on the party organization because the central party leadership has control over the party's nomination.

a The strength of the party organization has increased because the central party leadership is better able to communicate with voters.

What distinguishes a top-two primary from other primaries? a Two candidates from the same party can be on the ballot in the general election b Every candidate who is endorsed by two parties gets government funding c No party labels appear on the ballot d They cost far more than regular primary elections

a Two candidates from the same party can be on the ballot in the general election

Which of the following statements describes a brokered convention? a when a candidate is unable to secure enough delegates on the first round of delegates voting b when a candidate goes into a convention already having secured enough delegates c when one of the candidates is disqualified to run for office on a technicality d when a convention fails to nominate a candidate to run for president

a when a candidate is unable to secure enough delegates on the first round of delegates voting

which of the following items is true about early voting? a Increases voter turnout b Decreases voter turnout c Has no effect on voter turnout d Is illegal in most states

b Decreases voter turnout

What was the original name of today's Democratic party? a Federalists b Democratic-Republicans c Anti-Masons d Whigs

b Democratic-Republicans

Which of the following is the most accurate description of partisan competition these days? a Republicans win suburbs, and Democrats win large cities. b Democrats win urban areas, and Republicans win rural areas. c Democrats win coastal states, and Republicans win Middle America. d Republicans win the Midwest, and Democrats win the "solid South."

b Democrats win urban areas, and Republicans win rural areas.

What distinguishes an open primary from a closed primary? a In an open primary, the voter must vote in the primary of the party for which they are registered, whereas in a closed primary, the voter has the option of voting in the primary of any party. b In an open primary, the voter can choose which party's primary to vote in, whereas in a closed primary, the voter must vote in the party's primary for which they are registered. c In an open primary, anyone can vote, whereas in a closed primary, only pre-selected party members can vote. d In an open primary, anyone can register as a candidate, whereas in a closed primary, the party chooses who will run for office.

b In an open primary, the voter can choose which party's primary to vote in, whereas in a closed primary, the voter must vote in the party's primary for which they are registered.

Which of following statements about incumbents running for re-election is true? a Incumbents will not face a quality challenger b Incumbents will face a quality challenger c Incumbents will run uncontested d Incumbents usually lose

b Incumbents will face a quality challenger

Consider ideology (conservative/liberal) and select the statement below that is false. a The Republican party is generally conservative, supporting business interests and a free market economy. b The Democratic party is now consistently liberal, but previously had a conservative and a liberal wing. c The Whig party was the more conservative party in its time. d Democrats and Republicans are consistently liberal and conservative (respectively), and have not changed positions on various issues because of their ideological attachments.

b The Democratic party is now consistently liberal, but previously had a conservative and a liberal wing.

Which of the following statements about midterm elections is generally true? a The party of the President usually gains seats in midterm elections. b The party of the President usually loses seats in midterm elections. c The party in power is at a distinct advantage because they are in power. d If the President's party loses seats in the House it will most likely lose seats in the Senate as well.

b The party of the President usually loses seats in midterm elections.

Which of the following would happen if all incumbents ran until they were defeated (i.e., none of them retired before an election)? a The percentage of incumbents who win would go up b The percentage of incumbents who win would go down c The percentage of incumbents who win would stay the same

b The percentage of incumbents who win would go down

Let's say you want to become a member of Congress. What would be the best strategy for winning an election? a Go up against the incumbent in the next election. b Wait for an "open seat" election and then run. c Wait for the incumbent to do a bad job and then run against them. d Your chances of winning are the same whether you're up against an incumbent or contesting an "open seat."

b Wait for an "open seat" election and then run.

In 2016, how did Joe Biden do in comparison to Hillary Clinton? a Better among Blacks and Hispanic voters b Worse among Black and Hispanic voters c Better with Hispanic voters, but worse with Black voters d Better with Black voters, but worse with Hispanic voters

b Worse among Black and Hispanic voters

When a political scientist speaks about ballot access laws, which of the following describes what they are talking about? a laws that regulate what documents a voter needs to cast a legal vote b laws that govern which individuals and parties will be listed on ballots c laws that govern the date, time, and location of voting d laws that determine when ballots are printed, affecting the ability of late entrants into the race to be successful

b laws that govern which individuals and parties will be listed on ballots

Prior to the 1960s, which level of party organization was the most powerful? a national b state c local d regional

b state

Which of the following is a major explanation for the realignment of the "solid South"? a nationalization of the economy b the 1965 Voter Rights Act c development of presidential nominating primaries d the rise of Reagan Conservatives in the Republican Party

b the 1965 Voter Rights Act

Which of the following had the strongest effect on the importance of party organizations at different levels? a the demise of the "solid South" b the development of mass fundraising techniques c centralization of power in the federal government d mass communication made possible by radio and TV

b the development of mass fundraising techniques

Which of the following statements about recall elections is true? a A recall election changes a specific law b A recall election removes a previously nominated person from the ballot of the general election c A recall election allows voters to remove a politician from office before the end of the term d A recall election is a quiz to see how many candidates voters can remember

c A recall election allows voters to remove a politician from office before the end of the term

Which of the following statements about early voting states, such as Iowa and New Hampshire, is correct? a Early voting states choose the nominee and the remaining states have no say in the matter b Early voting states don't have any impact on the field of candidates c Early voting states tend to eliminate the weakest candidates as campaign contributions dry up after poor performances d Iowa and New Hampshire are always first because that's what the US Constitution says

c Early voting states tend to eliminate the weakest candidates as campaign contributions dry up after poor performances

How does a caucus differ from a primary? a In a primary, voters gather in one place to show support for a candidate, whereas in a caucus, voters go to a polling station and cast a ballot. b Caucuses are pretend elections, but primaries are real. c In a caucus, voters gather in one place to show support for a candidate, whereas in a primary, voters go to a polling station and cast a ballot. d Both are identical in purpose and procedure.

c In a caucus, voters gather in one place to show support for a candidate, whereas in a primary, voters go to a polling station and cast a ballot.

According to political scientists such as David Mayhew, what is the primary motivation for members of Congress? a doing what is best for their constituents b leaving behind a meaningful legacy c getting re-elected d becoming a lobbyist after serving their time in Congress

c getting re-elected

Which of the following are likely results of polarization in Congress? a little choice for voters and gridlock b relatively extreme policies and lack of party discipline c party discipline and policy gridlock d little choice for voters and relatively extreme policies

c party discipline and policy gridlock

Which of the following is the primary explanation for a two-party system, according to Duverger's Law? a ballot access laws b a separately elected national executive c single-member districts with plurality winners d issues that naturally divide into two sides

c single-member districts with plurality winners

Which of the following statements about reelection campaigns of members of Congress is true? a Members are too busy to campaign so they have to let the work speak for itself. b Members only really have to campaign in the last month of their two-year term. c Members need not return to their district to campaign—it can all be done virtually. d Members are constantly campaigning for reelection since terms are only two years long.

d Members are constantly campaigning for reelection since terms are only two years long.

Which of the following statements about Democratic and Republican party identifiers (including "leaners") is correct? a Since the 1990s, the Democratic party has had a greater share of the electorate than the Republican party. b Since the 1990s, the Republican party has had a greater share of the electorate than the Democratic party. c The Democratic and Republican parties have traded back and forth on a somewhat regular basis which party has a greater share of the electorate. d The Democratic party had a greater share of the electorate in the 1990s, the Republicans a greater share in the 2000s, and neither party has had a greater share than the other since 2012.

d The Democratic party had a greater share of the electorate in the 1990s, the Republicans a greater share in the 2000s, and neither party has had a greater share than the other since 2012.

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of direct primaries on party organizations? a The advent of direct primaries strengthened the power of party leadership over rank and file members. b Direct primaries tied the nomination power to voters in the electorate, coming at the cost of the power of party leadership. c The use of direct primaries has led to the success of more third parties, but only in regional elections. d The use of direct primaries has led to the increase of ideological consistency between the two major parties.

d The use of direct primaries has led to the increase of ideological consistency between the two major parties.

Which of the following statements best describes why we have political parties in the United States? a Political parties were commonplace in England and during colonial government, so parties continued in the United States as part of our inherited political culture. b The founding fathers were advocates for political parties and encouraged their formation. c The Constitution creates essential governing functions for political parties. d There is a need for some sort of organization in popular governments, and political parties were formed to fill a need left unaddressed by the Constitution.

d There is a need for some sort of organization in popular governments, and political parties were formed to fill a need left unaddressed by the Constitution.

According to this video, which of the following is most likely to lead to the creation of a successful new party? a a grassroots social movement b massive financial subsidies from wealthy donors c a major scandal involving the President d a group of established politicians who split off from the Democrats or Republicans

d a group of established politicians who split off from the Democrats or Republicans

Which of the following is a nomination event where the party's candidate is chosen at a physical meeting where candidates are discussed and chosen by those in attendance? a open primary b closed primary c top two primary d caucus

d caucus

Who was responsible for creating the first organized political parties in the United States? a the constitutional convention b local politicians c early candidates for President d members of Congress

d members of Congress

Which of the following could not be an expansion of "convenience voting"? a offering "no-excuse" absentee ballots b conducting the entire election through mailed-in ballots only c allowing people to vote over the course of several weeks or even a month d passing stricter voter identification laws

d passing stricter voter identification laws

True or False: All federal judges are elected

false

True or False: Faithless electors have changed who won the presidential election

false

True or False: In a "top two" primary, the top two finishers run against each other in the general election unless one of them received a majority of the votes in the primary.

false

True or False: Voters in an open primary can switch back and forth between different parties depending on the office.

false