Political Parties
The two primary political parties in the U.S. Government
What are the Democratic and Republican parties?
Name one way bias might creep into the news.
Interviewers, writers, photographers, and editors can influence media.
The Electoral College is...
...the system we use to elect the U.S President.
Name one way you can register to vote in Virginia.
Online, in person, or through mail.
What is a PAC?
Political parties avoid political _______ and aim for the political _____.
extremes, center
In order to make intelligent choices about political candidates, voters must be able to... (name two)
-separate fact from opinion
-detect bias
-determine legitimate sources
-identify propaganda
When people cast their vote for president, it is called the...
Popular vote.
State governments must all obey voting laws set forth by...
The U.S. Constitution.
Why do political candidates spend so much time fundraising?
Running for political office is expensive.
Political parties... (name at least one duty)
(One of these answers)
-Recruit and nominate candidates to run for office.
-Educate voters about campaign issues.
-Help candidates win elections.
-Monitor the actions of officeholders.
Tell at least one role of mass media in the political process.
Identifies candidates; emphasizes selected issues, writes editorials, publishes op-ed pieces, and creates political cartoons; broadcasts different points of view.
What happens ten weeks before the presidential election?
Political parties in each state meet to choose their electors.
What are the requirements to vote in Virginia? (name three)
-U.S. Citizen
-VA resident
-18+
-Registered
-Photo ID (driver's license)
Why does the American public worry the high cost of campaigning?
Reserves politics for the wealthy.
The party platform tells this about the party.
The party's vision on all major issues of the day.
Propaganda is...
...media used to influence thoughts, actions, and beliefs. Used to persuade through biased, one-sided messages that apply to emotions rather then judgement and rationality.
Each state gets the same number of electors/electoral votes as...
Representatives in Congress.
Why do so many citizens fail to vote? (name two)
-Apathetic
-Unregistered
-Believe their vote doesn't matter
Where do candidates get money to fund their campaign? (name two)
Personal money, political parties, individual donations, PACs, and super PACs
Both political parties do this.
Organize to win elections, influence public policy by taking positions on issues and working to get votes.
One propaganda technique, explained.
(check packet for correctness)
What does "winner-takes-all" mean in the political process?
If a candidate wins the popular vote, their political party gets all of that state's electoral votes.
States cannot use ________ ____ or ____ _____ to deny anyone the right to vote. States cannot deny anyone the right to vote based on ____, _____, or ______.
literacy tests, poll taxes, race, color, gender
What is campaign finance reform?
Made to limit the amount of money individuals and PACs can donate to candidates and their campaigns.