Question 1

Prior to changes in campaign finance laws,contributors would give money to political parties rather than directly to the candidates in order to avoid certain limits on contributions.These donations were known as

Accepted Answer

Soft money refers to donations made to political parties for general purposes such as voter registration drives or issue ads, rather than for a specific candidate's campaign. Prior to changes in campaign finance laws, contributors gave money to political parties rather than directly to candidates in order to avoid certain limits on contributions, hence the rise of soft money donations.

Question 2

Drawing a congressional boundary to give one political party electoral advantage over the opposing party is called

Accepted Answer

Gerrymandering is the act of drawing congressional boundaries to give one political party an advantage over the opposing party. This is usually done by manipulating the shape of the district to include or exclude certain voting blocs or demographics.

Question 3

Which one of the following is true of the Electoral College?

Accepted Answer

Most states use a winner-take-all system, meaning the candidate who receives the most votes in a state wins all of that state's electoral votes. This is why it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote but lose the electoral vote, as the winner-take-all system can lead to a candidate winning more electoral votes despite winning fewer individual votes overall.

Question 4

The tax-exempt groups that were influential in the 2004 election and were named after a provision in the Internal Revenue Code are called

Accepted Answer

The tax-exempt groups that were influential in the 2004 election and were named after a provision in the Internal Revenue Code are called 527s.

Question 5

The Republican Party won control of both the House and the Senate in 2002,something they had not done since

Accepted Answer

The Republican Party last won control of both the House and Senate in the year 1954.

Question 6

In the 2008 congressional elections,Democrats gained seats in both the House and the Senate.Many of these victories were said to be a result of the popularity of Barack Obama.Which of the following helps explain this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Coattails refer to the phenomenon where a popular candidate (in this case, Barack Obama) helps other members of their party get elected by bringing out more voters who support the party as a whole. This is a common occurrence in U.S. elections, and likely contributed to the Democratic gains in 2008.

Question 7

The presidential nominating process begins earlier in the year than it used to.

Accepted Answer

The presidential nominating process now typically begins in February or March of the election year, which is earlier than in previous decades.

Question 8

The "office block" or "Massachusetts ballot" lists all the candidates according to

Accepted Answer

The "office block" or "Massachusetts ballot" organizes all the candidates according to the office for which they are running. This allows voters to easily find and select the candidate for the specific position they want to vote for. The other options listed (popularity, political party, last name, and amount of money raised) are not typically used for organizing candidates on a ballot.

Question 9

To be elected president of the United States by the Electoral College,a candidate must win

Accepted Answer

The Electoral College currently consists of 538 electors, and to win the presidency, a candidate must receive a majority of at least 270 electoral votes. This system was established by the Constitution and ensures that all states have a say in the election outcome, as each state is allotted electoral votes based on its representation in Congress. Therefore, choice A, requiring at least 270 electoral votes, is the correct answer.

Question 10

Turnout in presidential elections has increased since 1996.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the United States Election Project, turnout in presidential elections has increased since 1996. In 1996, turnout was 53.8%, while in 2020 it was estimated to be 66.4%.

Question 11

Presidential primaries are more common than caucuses.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Most states hold primaries as a way for voters to participate in the selection of their party's nominee for president. Caucuses, on the other hand, are less common and only used in a few states, such as Iowa and Nevada.

Question 12

What is the total number of Electoral College votes?

Accepted Answer

The total number of Electoral College votes is 538.

Question 13

Most states use the open primary.

Accepted Answer

Most states use a mixture of primary systems, but the open primary is not the most common. Many states use closed primaries, where only registered party members can vote in their party's primary.

Question 14

Which of the following is an advantage that congressional incumbents enjoy when running for reelection?

Accepted Answer

Incumbents generally have an easier time raising campaign funds because they already have established relationships with donors and can use their record in office as a selling point to potential contributors. This gives them an advantage over challengers who are starting their campaigns from scratch.

Question 15

A procedure in which a person who wants to vote presents an election official with proof that he or she meets all the legal requirements for voting in the upcoming election is called

Accepted Answer

The procedure described in the question is that of voter registration. Registration requires the individual to provide proof of eligibility to vote, such as proof of residency or citizenship, and is typically done before the election. Balloting refers to the act of casting a vote, while nomination and petitioning refer to processes related to choosing candidates for an election. Electing refers to the overall process of selecting someone for an office or position, which includes both nomination and voting. Therefore, the best choice is registration (B).

Question 16

The amount of money spent on congressional campaigns has

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is E because the amount of money spent on congressional campaigns has significantly increased in recent years, particularly due to the growth of outside spending by super PACs and other organizations. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, spending on the 2020 election cycle reached a record-breaking $14.4 billion, with a significant portion going towards congressional races.

Question 17

Which of the following groups of states receives the most votes in the Electoral College?

Accepted Answer

California, Texas, New York, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan are the most populous states in the United States and therefore have the most electoral votes. All other choices have fewer electoral votes.

Question 18

In an open primary,voters do not have to choose a party and are free to select the ballot of the party in whose primary they wish to participate.

Accepted Answer

In an open primary, voters are indeed free to choose which party's primary ballot they want to participate in, regardless of their party affiliation or lack thereof.

Question 19

Under Electoral College procedures governing the presidential elections,voters directly vote for

Accepted Answer

Under Electoral College procedures, voters do not directly vote for the presidential candidate. Instead, they vote for a slate of electors who pledge to vote for the candidate they support. These electors then officially cast the votes for the president and vice president.

Question 20

The debates between which presidential candidates marked the first time an incumbent president faced an opponent on television?

Accepted Answer

The debates between Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter in 1976 marked the first time an incumbent president (Ford) faced an opponent (Carter) on television.

Quiz 6: Nominations and Elections