Electoral College/Voting
Who elects the president?
The electoral college
An organized effort by a candidate to win an election
A Campaign
Name four types of media
TV: shows, News
Newspapers
Magazines
Internet
Name the two major parties.
Democrats and Republicans
An organization attempting to influence legislators (law makers) in favor of one particular interest or issue.
Special Interest Group
What does the "Winner-Take-All" system reinforce?
Two-party system (Democrats and Republicans)
Two effects of the rising cost of campaigns.
Wealthy people have an advantage.
Limits opportunities to run for office.
Increased time spent fund raising
Development of PACs
Increased importance of special interest groups who can raise money.
The role of the Media is to do these things. Name at least one.
Identify candidates
Gate-keepers: highlight select issues
Written word: editorials, political cartoons, op-ed pieces
Broadcasting different points of view
The influence of “Public Opinion” (what people as a group think about things)
What are the four functions of Political Parties?
P - Pick a Candidate
H - Help a candidate win
E - Educate the electorate
W - Watch the officeholders
These groups are like interest groups and provide a major source of funding for candidates.
Political Action Committees
How are the number of electors per state determined?
Electors are equal to Congressional representation.
Efforts to make campaigning fair by controlling the money used by candidates is called this.
Campaign Finance Reform
What does it mean when information favors one viewpoint?
It is biased.
Aside from the Democrats and Republicans, there are other parties that are usually focused on one or two issues. For example, the Green Party is focused on the environment. What are these parties called?
Third Parties
Many interest groups hire people to persuade congressmen to vote for legislation that the interest group supports. What are these people called/what are they doing?
Lobbying/Lobbyist
List the qualifications to vote in Virginia?
Citizen of the U.S.
Resident of VA and precinct
At least 18 on the day of the election.
Name three ways candidates campaign
Make Speeches
Make appearances (on aircraft carriers, at colleges etc..)
Buy Television Advertisements
Mail Flyers to the homes of voters
Post signs and billboards
Give away bumper stickers/poster/flyers
Pieces of media that are deliberately opinionated to sway your beliefs are?
Propaganda
What term means a statement of a party's political beliefs?
Party Platform
What organization is it where corporations and unions can raise unlimited amounts of money but can't give it directly to the candidate or work with the candidate?
Super PAC
Name at least three places you can register to vote.
Registrar's office
DMV
Online
Designated Location
The 2010 Supreme Court case Citizen United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) changed who could raise money for campaigns by allowing for Super PACS saying that money was the equivalent to this.
Speech
What role of the media does this headline represent?
“If Hillary Clinton Runs For President, When Might She Announce?”
Identifying Candidates
Political parties exist to achieve their political platform (make the laws they want). Because of this what is their main function?
To win elections.
Name a special interest group.
NAACP
MADD
NRA
AARP
ASPCA
Greenpeace