Media
Lobby/Interest Groups/Political Parties
PACs and Super PACs
Electoral College
Voting
100

How does media affect the public?

By focusing public attention on selected issues.

100

What do lobbyists do?

Try to influence legislators to vote for or against certain bills. 

100

What does PAC stand for?

Political Action Committee 

100

The Electoral College is used to elect which two positions?

President and Vice President 

100

Mrs. Shilo is 97 years old, born in Ashburn, and lives in Chicago. Why is she not allowed to vote in Virginia?

She does not live in Virginia 

200

What is the purpose of propaganda? 

To persuade or influence a person to do something (vote a certain way in elections)

200

What type of party system does the US have?

Two party system

200

With rising campaign costs, PACs and Super PACs make it so only ____________ individuals run for office. 

wealthy
200

What is the number of electors in each state based on?

Congressional representation 

200

In order to win elections, which voters do candidates want to focus their efforts on when referring to the political spectrum?

The voters in the center
300

How does the media affect public officials?

By holding them accountable for their actions

300

How can individuals influence public policy?

By participating in politics (voting, campaigning, seeking office, using social media)

300

This Supreme Court case stated PACs and Super PACs are protected under the 1st amendment.

Citizens United v. FEC

300

What is the formula for determining a state's electoral botes?

# in House of Reps + 2 Senators = Electoral Votes 

300

What are the three qualifications to register to vote in V.A.?

- Be at least 18 years old on Election Day 

- Be a U.S. citizen 

- Reside in the state of V.A. 

400

What is mass media's role in elections? 

(Name 3)

1. Identifying candidates

2. Emphasizing selected issues

3. Writing media pieces about the election

4. Broadcasting different viewpoints.

400

Name two similarities between political parties.

1. Organize to win elections

2. Influence public policy

3. Reflect both liberal and conservative views on the political spectrum

4. Define themselves in a way that wins majority support by appealing to the center of the spectrum

400

What is the difference between a PAC and Super PAC?

Super PACs cannot donate to specific candidates or parties

400

Give two examples of swing states (2024). 

Give two examples of safe states (2024). 

Swing states: Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, 

*Florida 

Safe states: All the others 

400

Name two different ways that third party candidates influence elections: 

- Force Democrats and Republicans to care about certain issues 

- Take away votes from the two-party candidates (Democrats and Republicans)

500

Name 3 strategies for evaluating the media. (SIDE)

S- Separating fact from opinion

I- Identifying propaganda

D- Detecting bias

E- Evaluating sources 

500

What are some examples of international issues that may affect public policy? 

(Name 2)

1. Public health concerns (pandemic)

2. Public safety concerns (terrorism)

3. Economic development in response to global economy

4. Policies to protect the environment

500

How can PACs give unlimited money to candidates without breaking the law?

By using the money against their opponent instead of using it for the candidate they support.

500

In the Electoral College, all states have a winner-takes-all system, with the exception of two states. Which two states are the exception?

Maine and Nebraska 

500

Name 4 reasons citizens fail to vote.

1. Lack of interest

2. Failure to register

3. Belief their vote does not count

4. No time/too busy

5. Poverty, inability to make it to the polls

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