Elections
What is the Electoral College?
Electoral system used in electing the president and vice president, in which voters vote for electors pledged to cast their ballots for particular party's candidates.
What does it mean to be a "watchdog"?
The media serves as a check on the government by reporting its activities and informing the public.
What is the FEC?
A commission created by the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act to administer election reform laws. It consists of six commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. Its duties include overseeing disclosure of campaign finance information and public funding of presidential elections and enforcing contribution limits.
What was the 19th Amendment?
Gave women the right to vote.
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
What is the difference between an open and closed primary?
Open - Primary election in which any voter, regardless of party, may vote.
Closed - Primary election in which only persons registered in the party holding the primary may vote.
What is a soundbite?
A radio or video clip of someone speaking.
What is a 527 group?
- Cannot coordinate with a candidate
- an independent non-profit group
- unlimited contributions
- issue advocacy
- can advocate for/against candidates
- contributors disclosed
Which amendment was the only one that got repealed?
The 21st repealed the 18th amendment (prohibition of alcohol).
What are the expressed powers of Congress?
Collect taxes, declare war.
What is the difference between an entrance and exit poll?
Entrance - a poll taken before voters have cast their votes at polling stations.
Exit - a poll of people leaving a polling place, asking how they voted.
What are some forms of mass media?
Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the internet, and other means of popular communication.
How much money are PACs limited to giving each candidate?
$5,000
What did the 8th amendment state?
Bans cruel and unusual punishment, no excessive fines or bails.
What does Article 1 of the Constitution state?
Design of the legislative branch.
Important ideas include: separation of powers, checks and balances, the election of members into Congress, how laws are made, and the powers of Congress
What is a push poll?
Polls taken for the purpose of providing information on an opponent that would lead respondents to vote against that candidate.
What is horserace coverage?
A practice which journalists and reporters use in regards to government coverage and campaign coverage with an emphasis on who is gaining or losing, not what is being done about issues
What is the difference between a PAC and a Super PAC?
Super PAC- A PAC that is allowed to give an unlimited amount of money to a candidate or political party. Money still comes from individual donors, labor unions, and nonprofits. The difference is in that they may not act "in concert or in cooperation with" the candidate, the candidate's organization, or a political party. They can donate as much as they like in support, but cannot donate directly to.
PAC - Make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators, raise campaign funds to support favored candidates, most likely to contribute to incumbents
Which amendment reserves certain powers for the states or the people?
10th.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause and where is it stated?
Article IV Section 1
Addresses the duties that states have to respect the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.
What is a potential problem with exit polls?
If people see the results of earlier exit polls before they vote, they may think the election has already been decided.
What is Agenda Setting?
The process of forming the list of matters that policymakers intend to address.
What was the case of Buckley vs. Valeo (1976)?
Upheld:
- individual contribution limits
- disclosure
Overturned:
- limits on personal spending for one's campaign
- limits on total spending
Which amendment prohibits the government from denying a citizen the right to vote based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude?
15th.
What does the Legislative branch have over the Executive?
Even if the president vetoes a bill, if 2/3 of the House and the Senate still vote for it, it becomes a law (Article I Section 7).