Elections
The number of electoral votes in a state is determined by what?
The number of House and Senate members in each state
These groups are created as fundraising vehicles to help support candidate and their party
PACs (Political Action Committees)
What is a consequence that candidate-centered campaigns have on political parties?
Parties have less influence/decreased role of parties in the election process
The most common criterion that people use when voting for a presidential candidate is the candidate's _________.
ideological position/party affiliation
An election in which voters choose which party's primary ballot they wish to vote on
What is an open primary?
When party members meet to discuss who they will nominate
What is a caucus?
What type of funding did the McCain Feingold Act or the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act ban?
Soft Money
Due to the nature of the Electoral College system, candidates focus their time and energy on what type of states
Competitive, populous , swing states, battleground states
Name 1 job or responsibility of political parties
Choose candidates, run campaigns, communicate with voters, articulate policies/platform, motivate voters to participate, organize the gov/policies the gov passes
This is the person already holding public office.
What is an incumbent?
A series of statements expressing the principles, beliefs, and positions of a candidate on election issues and a plan of action if they are elected is called a
What is a platform.
PACs are required to register with and are regulated by which agency?
The Federal Election Commission (FEC)
Which type of elections ask Americans to vote among party members?
Primaries and caucuses
Party dealignment means that more Americans are currently identifying most with what political party?
Independents
Manipulating the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.
WHat is Gerrymandering
Explain how the winner take all method of the Electoral college is a structural barrier for third parties.
Winner-take-all voting in the Electoral College hinders the electoral success of third-party candidates bc they are not likely to win the majority of the popular vote in order to gain electoral votes in enough states
Which Constitutional provision did the Supreme Court interpret when deciding Citizens United v. the FEC?
1st Amendment **free speech
Name 2 purposes of National Conventions
Nominate candidates and adopt a platform - also have key note speaker
Explain how a voter would fill out their ballot on election day if they were using "split ticket voting"
One party for one position, and a different party for another position
In this case in 1976, the Supreme Court struck down provisions of FECA, that had limited different types of election spending but affirmed the right for the candidate to spend unlimited money on your own campaign.
What is the significance of Buckley v. Valeo?
Who decides the presidential election if no candidate wins at least 270, or the majority of electoral votes?
The election is decided by the House of Representatives
According to Citizens United v. the FEC, what can unions, corporations, or even Super PACs do to support a candidate or party in an election?
Spend an unlimited amount as long as they do not coordinate with the candidate
The tendency for states to choose early dates in the primary calendar and get more media attention is known as ____ and has what effect?
Frontloading
Political parties can be impacted by critical elections which are usually something that occurs during a major change or crisis. Critical elections are closely aligned to shifting the party in power due to what action taken by voters?
Party realignment
Explain the precedent that BOTH Baker V Carr and Shaw V Reno Set for drawing district lines
Baker V Carr- One Person One vote= equal population in districts
Shaw V Reno-Can not racially Gerrymander