Parties/interest groups
PG 321-337
PG 321-337
Which founding father warned that political parties would divide the American people?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. John Adams
C. George Washington
D. Alexander Hamilton
Answer: C. George Washington
What is the minimum age required to run for the U.S. House of Representatives?
A. 21
B. 25
C. 30
D. 35
Answer: B. 25
Which of the following is true about closed primaries like those in Florida?
A. All voters may vote, regardless of party
B. Only registered party members may vote
C. Candidates do not run in closed primaries
D. Only independents may vote
Answer: B. Only registered party members may vote
What is the primary goal of "get out the vote" efforts near election day?
A. To make sure supporters actually vote
B. To count ballots by hand
C. To register new voters for the next election
D. To replace old voting machines
Answer: A. To make sure supporters actually vote
Why have elections become more candidate-centered than party-centered in the U.S.?
A. Voters no longer care about issues
B. Candidates now rely more on their own fundraising and skills
C. Political parties no longer exist
D. The Constitution requires it
Answer: B. Candidates now rely more on their own fundraising and skills
What is the main goal of a political party in a democracy?
A. To organize public protests
B. To influence foreign governments
C. To win control of the government
D. To count election ballots
Answer: C. To win control of the government
Which of the following is not a requirement to run for U.S. president?
A. Must be a natural born citizen
B. Must be 35 years old or older
C. Must be a U.S. resident for at least 10 years
D. Must have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Answer: C. Must be a U.S. resident for at least 10 years
What is a major advantage of political advertisements over debates?
A. Ads let voters ask questions directly
B. Ads are typically live and unpredictable
C. Ads let candidates control their message
D. Ads are only used in local elections
Answer: C. Ads let candidates control their message
What problem did the "hanging chads" cause in the 2000 election?
A. They led to candidates being disqualified
B. They made it hard for machines to count votes accurately
C. They caused ballots to go missing
D. They blocked early voting options
Answer: B. They made it hard for machines to count votes accurately
What is a major concern about the high cost of running for office?
A. It increases voter turnout
B. It forces candidates to join third parties
C. It may lead to corruption or influence from big donors
D. It limits the length of campaign seasons
Answer: C. It may lead to corruption or influence from big donors
Which two early political leaders were associated with the first political parties?
A. George Washington and John Jay
B. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
C. James Madison and John Adams
D. Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry
Answer: B. Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson
In Florida, how long must someone be a resident to run for governor?
A. 25 years
B. 4 years
C. 10 years
D. 7 years
Answer: D. 7 years
What is a caucus in the nomination process?
A. A video posted to announce candidacy
B. A set of televised debates between parties
C. A meeting of party members to choose candidates or delegates
D. A direct-mail campaign for donations
Answer: C. A meeting of party members to choose candidates or delegates
What is a major criticism of the Electoral College system?
A. It gives third parties an unfair advantage
B. It prevents senators from running for president
C. It can allow a candidate to win without the popular vote
D. It requires all voting to be done by mail
Answer: C. It can allow a candidate to win without the popular vote
What type of organization is formed by corporations or interest groups to contribute to campaigns?
A. Political Review Board
B. Congressional Fund
C. Public Policy Alliance
D. Political Action Committee (PAC)
Answer: D. Political Action Committee (PAC)
What is lobbying?
A. Hosting political conventions
B. Creating government websites
C. Persuading officials to support certain policies
D. Running for public office
Answer: C. Persuading officials to support certain policies
What is one major difference between presidential eligibility and that of senators or representatives?
A. Senators must be older than representatives
B. Only the president must be a registered voter
C. Only the president must be a natural born citizen
D. Representatives must live in Washington, D.C.
Answer: C. Only the president must be a natural born citizen
What is the most common way for a person to become a declared candidate?
A. By winning a debate
B. Through self-announcement
C. By being nominated by petition
D. By being drafted by supporters
Answer: B. Through self-announcement
How many electoral votes must a presidential candidate win to be elected?
A. 100
B. 435
C. 538
D. 270
Answer: D. 270
What is one reason candidates might avoid accepting public campaign funds?
A. They must quit their jobs
B. They must choose a running mate from another party
C. They must agree to limit their campaign spending
D. They cannot hold office for more than one term
Answer: C. They must agree to limit their campaign spending
What is the final step in the public policy process?
A. Policy adoption
B. Agenda setting
C. Evaluation
D. Implementation
Answer: C. Evaluation
Why was Senator Ted Cruz’s eligibility questioned during his 2016 presidential run?
A. He had never lived in the U.S.
B. He was not a registered voter
C. He was born in Canada
D. He had dual citizenship
Answer: C. He was born in Canada
Which method allows independent or third-party candidates to get on the ballot?
A. Closed primary
B. Blanket primary
C. Nomination by petition
D. Party convention
Answer: C. Nomination by petition
Why do presidential candidates focus most on battleground states?
A. Their electors are chosen by Congress
B. They allow third-party votes
C. They have the fewest electoral votes
D. Their outcomes are harder to predict
Answer: D. Their outcomes are harder to predict
In 2016, which state contributed the most money to federal campaigns?
A. Texas
B. Florida
C. California
D. Washington
Answer: C. California