Elections & Voting
What is the minimum voting age in U.S. elections?
18
What must a person officially do before beginning a presidential campaign?
Announce their candidacy
What branch of government makes federal laws?
Legislative Branch
What term describes the opinions held by people about political issues?
Public opinion
How many branches are in the U.S. Federal Government?
Three.
What amendment lowered the voting age to 18?
26th Amendment
What elections help political parties choose their presidential candidates?
Primaries and caucuses
What are the two chambers of Congress?
House of Representatives and Senate
What is the process through which people develop their political beliefs?
Political socialization
What is the supreme law of the United States?
The Constitution
What amendment prohibited denying voting rights based on race?
15th Amendment
What event officially selects a political party's presidential nominee?
National convention
How many U.S. senators does each state have?
2
Name ONE form of media that can influence political opinions.
TV, social media, newspapers, radio, etc.
What principle divides government power among three branches?
Separation of powers
Give ONE action the government can take to make voting more accessible.
Early voting, mail-in voting, more polling locations, voter registration programs, etc.
What group formally casts the votes that determine the president?
Electoral College
Why does the United States use representative government instead of having citizens vote directly on every federal law?
The population is too large for everyone to directly participate in every decision; representatives make laws on citizens' behalf.
Why might politicians pay attention to public opinion polls?
To understand what voters think about issues and policies.
What system allows each branch to limit the power of the other branches?
Checks and balances
Why might voter turnout matter in a democracy?
It affects how well election results represent the views of the population.
Can a candidate win the presidency without winning the national popular vote? Explain.
Yes. The president is determined by Electoral College votes, not the national popular vote.
Why did the Constitution create a bicameral Congress?
To balance representation based on population in the House with equal state representation in the Senate.
Why can two people see the same political advertisement and form different opinions?
Their beliefs, experiences, values, and political socialization can cause them to interpret information differently.
Why is compromise important in a representative democracy?
Different groups have different interests, so compromise helps lawmakers reach agreements and pass legislation.