Electoral Process
What is the minimum number of electoral votes a candidate needs to win the presidency?
270
What is the name for a school that students attend after finishing high school in the U.S.?
A college or university.
How many branches of government are there in the U.S.?
Three
What is the name of the official count of the U.S. population that includes data on race and ethnicity?
The U.S. Census.
Who is the current President and Vice President of the United States (as of October 2025)?
Donald Trump and JD Vance
What is the name of the system used to elect the U.S. president?
The Electoral College
What degree do most students earn after four years of university study in the U.S.?
A bachelor’s degree.
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
How often is the U.S. Census conducted?
Every 10 years.
What major change has Trump proposed for the Department of Education?
To close or significantly reduce the Department of Education.
What are congressional voting district boundaries?
The geographic lines that divide a state into areas, each represented by one member in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What does the degree “M.A.” stand for in U.S. higher education, and what level of study does it represent?
M.A. stands for Master of Arts — it’s a graduate-level degree earned after completing a bachelor’s degree.
Which branch can declare laws unconstitutional?
Judicial branch (Supreme Court)
What is one major factor that contributes to the growth of racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S.?
Immigration
Why is the Voting Rights Act being challenged again in 2025?
Because of redistricting cases, such as in Louisiana, that test how strongly the law protects minority voting power.
How are congressional district boundaries usually decided in the United States?
They are drawn by state legislatures after each census, based on population changes.
What is the main difference between federal (public) and private student loans in the U.S.?
Federal loans are funded and regulated by the government, usually with lower interest rates and more protections. Private loans come from banks or lenders and often have higher rates and fewer repayment options.
Which branch confirms the President’s Supreme Court appointments?
Legislative branch (Senate)
What are the three largest racial or ethnic groups in the United States, and about what percentage of the population does each represent?
White (non-Hispanic) about 58%, Hispanic/Latino about 19%, and Black/African American about 12%.
What is the purpose of ICE raids, and why have they recently made headlines in 2025?
ICE raids are used to detain and deport undocumented immigrants. They’ve made headlines in 2025 because of large-scale nationwide operations ordered by the Trump administration.
Why can a candidate win the presidency without winning the national popular vote in the U.S.?
Because the president is chosen by the Electoral College, where electoral votes, not total individual votes, decide the outcome.
What is one major difference between public and private universities in the U.S.?
Public universities are state-funded and usually cheaper for residents; private universities are funded by tuition and private sources and are often more expensive.
What constitutional principle prevents one branch from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances
Why is collecting racial and ethnic data in the U.S. Census important for government and society?
Because it helps determine political representation, funding for communities, and tracks social and demographic change.
Why is the current 6–3 conservative majority on the Supreme Court significant for U.S. politics?
It gives conservatives the power to shape major legal decisions on voting rights, federal power, and other key issues without needing swing votes.