How often elections are held
How often are presidential elections held in the United States?
Every four years.
How long is the term for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives?
Two years.
What does incumbency advantage mean in elections?
The benefits or edge that current office holders (incumbents) have over challengers when running for re-election.
What is redistricting?
Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts after each census.
What is a primary election?
A primary election is an election where political parties choose their candidates for the general election.
How often are U.S. congressional elections for the House of Representatives held?
Every two years.
How long is the term for a U.S. Senator?
Six years.
Name one basic reason why incumbents usually win re-election?
They are better known to voters (name recognition).
What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a particular political party or group.
What is a general election?
A general election is when voters choose among party nominees to fill public offices.
How often do midterms take place
Every four years.
In a typical election year, what fraction of the Senate is up for election?
One-third of the Senate.
What official privilege allows incumbents to send mail to constituents for free?
The franking privilege.
Why does redistricting occur every ten years in the United States?
Redistricting occurs every ten years to adjust district boundaries based on population changes reported by the U.S. Census.
Who can vote in an open primary?
In an open primary, any registered voter can vote for any party's candidates, regardless of party affiliation.
How old do you have to be to be a member of the House of Representatives?
Unlike Senate elections, what unique feature characterizes House elections regarding representation?
House members represent districts within states, while Senators represent entire states.
Besides name recognition, give another reason why incumbents have an advantage?
They can more easily raise campaign money or use their track record to prove effectiveness.
How can gerrymandering impact election outcomes?
Gerrymandering can give one party an unfair advantage by concentrating or spreading out voters to secure more seats than they would win in a fair system.
How do primary and general elections differ in purpose
Primary elections select party nominees, while general elections decide who will actually hold the office.
How old do you have to be in order to become a U.S. senator?
At least 30 years old
What constitutional amendment established the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people rather than by state legislatures, and in what year was it ratified?
The 17th Amendment, ratified in 1913.
How can the incumbency advantage affect democracy?
By discouraging potential challengers from running, which may limit voters’ choices and reduce fair competition.
What are two common gerrymandering techniques called, and what do they do?
"Packing" puts as many voters of one type into a single district to reduce their influence elsewhere, while "cracking" spreads them across many districts to dilute their voting power.
Why might voter turnout be higher in a general election than in a primary election?
General elections usually get higher turnout because the outcome directly decides who takes office and may involve more public interest and party participation.