Elections & Voting
What is the minimum voting age in the U.S.?
18
What are the two major political parties in the United States?
Democrats and Republicans
What is lobbying?
Directly influencing lawmakers
What body formally elects the president of the United States?
The Electoral College
Which document includes essays written to support ratification of the Constitution?
The Federalist Papers
What type of election determines party nominees?
Primary election
What document outlines a political party’s beliefs and goals?
Party platform
What Supreme Court case allowed unlimited independent political spending by groups?
Citizens United v. FEC
What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency?
270
According to Federalist No. 10, what is the main danger posed by factions?
They threaten the rights of others, especially minority rights
Which system awards all electoral votes to the candidate who wins a state?
Winner-take-all system
What role do political parties play in organizing Congress and shaping the legislative process?
They organize leadership positions, committee assignments, and influence which legislation is prioritized
What term describes media that targets a specific audience?
Narrowcasting
What happens if no presidential candidate receives a majority of electoral votes?
The House of Representatives chooses the president
According to Federalist No. 51, why is separation of powers necessary?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
Which amendment limits the amount of terms a president can have?
22nd Amendment
What role do third parties most often play in the U.S. political system?
They introduce new issues or ideas that may later be adopted by major parties
How does selective exposure affect political polarization?
People consume media that reinforces existing beliefs
Why does the winner-take-all system increase the likelihood of a two-party system?
Because it discourages voting for third-party candidates who are unlikely to win
Why did Anti-Federalists argue that a large republic would fail?
They believed representatives would be too distant from the people
Explain why voter turnout is consistently lower in midterm elections than in presidential elections.
Lower media coverage, weaker mobilization, and reduced voter interest
Explain how partisan realignment can permanently change voting patterns.
Major issues shift party coalitions and voter loyalties
What are the three sides of an iron triangle?
Congressional committee, government agency, and special interest group
Explain how the Electoral College can allow a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote.
Because electoral votes are awarded by state rather than nationally, allowing wins through state-level majorities
Explain how Federalist No. 10 and Federalist No. 51 together justify the structure of the U.S. government.
They argue that a large republic and separated powers prevent tyranny by controlling factions and limiting concentrated power