Election 1
This type of election happens halfway through a president’s term
Midterm elections
In midterms, all 435 seats of this chamber are up for election
House of Representatives
About one-third of this legislative body is elected during midterms
Senate
Midterm elections happen in this type of numbered year (even or odd)
Even
Voter turnout in midterms is usually lower or higher than presidential elections
Lower
This is the main purpose of midterm elections in terms of government power
Congressional Control
This political group often loses seats during midterm elections
The President's party
These state leaders (top executive role) are often elected during midterms
Governors
This branch of government is directly affected when Congress control changes
Legislative branch
Midterms can act as a “referendum” on this person’s performance
The President
The fixed term length (in years) for members of the House of Representatives
2 years
The process of redrawing district boundaries that can influence midterms
Redistricting
The fixed term length (in years) for U.S. Senators
6 years
The term for unfairly drawing districts to benefit one party
Gerrymandering
The first midterm election in U.S. history took place during this president’s administration (late 1700s)
George Washington
This amendment lowered the voting age to 18, impacting midterm electorates
26th amendment
The total number of seats in the U.S. Senate
The minimum number of Senate seats up for election in a typical midterm
33 seats (1/3 of senate)
This is the term for when one party controls both Congress and the presidency
This is the opposite situation, when different parties control Congress and the presidency
Divided Government
This political science term describes when voters choose candidates from different parties for different offices
Split-ticket voting
This constitutional amendment allows U.S. Senators to be directly elected by voters instead of state legislatures
17th amendment
What day of the week are elections ALWAYS held?
Tuesday (It's a law!)
This rule in the Senate allows unlimited debate unless 60 senators vote to end it
Filibuster
This Supreme Court decision allowed political parties to spend unlimited money on independent political advertising
Citizens United v. FEC