Question 1

Which factor had the greatest impact in altering the original structure for selecting a president?

Accepted Answer

The emergence of political parties had the greatest impact in altering the original structure for selecting a president. The initial idea was for the electors to choose the most qualified candidate for the presidency based on merit. However, the rise of political parties created a new dynamic where electors were chosen based on their loyalty to a certain party, which greatly influenced the outcome of presidential elections.

Question 2

How did the Founders intend for the president to be selected?

Accepted Answer

The Founders intended for the president to be selected by electors in the Electoral College, as outlined in the Constitution. The Electoral College was established as a compromise between having the president selected by Congress or by the people directly. It was designed to give smaller states a greater say in the selection of the president, while still ensuring that the eventual winner had broad national support.

Question 3

Suppose it is 1830s and the Jacksonian era is in full swing in the United States. Who would have likely seen their voting rights expanded during this time?

Accepted Answer

During the Jacksonian era, voting rights were expanded to include all white males regardless of property ownership or wealth. This was a major shift from previous requirements that limited voting to propertied men. Women and African Americans were still excluded from voting at this time.

Question 4

In 2019, there were more than 20 candidates who voiced intentions of running for president against Donald Trump in 2020. By August 2019, several candidates had announced that they were dropping out of the race due to low polling numbers. This is indicative of which phase of the presidential selection process?

Accepted Answer

The prenomination campaign is the phase of the presidential selection process where candidates gauge their support and attempt to build momentum before the primary elections. Candidates dropping out due to low polling numbers is a common occurrence in this phase, as they try to gain traction and establish themselves as viable contenders.

Question 5

During which phase of the presidential selection process do political parties select people to run for president and vice president?

Accepted Answer

The nomination phase is when political parties select people to run for president and vice president. This involves a series of caucuses and primaries within each party, culminating in the party's nomination convention where the final candidates are officially chosen.

Question 6

Which state was the first to hold a direct primary for a presidential election?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which state was the first to hold...

Question 7

Which constitutional amendment was ratified with the goal of reforming the Electoral College to better accommodate the emergence of political parties?

Accepted Answer

The Twelfth Amendment, ratified in 1804, changed the process of selecting the president and vice president by allowing electors to cast separate votes for each office instead of both for president. This amendment was designed to better accommodate the emergence of political parties and prevent ties in the Electoral College.

Question 8

What impact did the Jacksonian era have on American politics?

Accepted Answer

The Jacksonian era saw the rise of a more democratic approach to politics, which emphasized the importance of popular participation and candidate selection. This era marked a turning point in American politics, as more Americans began to view themselves as active participants in the political process.

Question 9

What was the significance of the 1824 election?

Accepted Answer

The 1824 election was significant because it led to a split in the Democratic-Republican Party, which eventually resulted in the formation of the Democratic Party and the National Republican Party.

Question 10

The competition between candidates to be the frontrunner for their party's nomination is part of the ______.

Accepted Answer

The invisible primary refers to the period before the actual primary elections take place, during which candidates compete for support from party elites and donors to establish themselves as frontrunners.

Question 11

A president may not seek more than two four-year terms in office due to the ratification of which amendment?

Accepted Answer

The Twenty-Second Amendment to the United States Constitution limits the number of times a person can be elected to the office of President of the United States to two, and sets additional qualifications for presidents who succeed to the office mid-term or after serving more than two years of a term.

Question 12

In 2019, upwards of 20 Democratic candidates announced their intentions to run for president in 2020 against Donald Trump. The consistent frontrunners for the Democratic nomination included Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren. If Elizabeth Warren wants to secure the Democratic Party nomination and become the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, what must she do?

Accepted Answer

To secure the Democratic Party nomination and become the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, Elizabeth Warren must win a majority of the delegates chosen by voters in state primaries and caucuses. While performing well during debates and receiving donations can boost her chances, winning the support of the party's base through the primary process is the key determinant of who becomes the nominee.

Question 13

What was the significance of the presidential election of 1800?

Accepted Answer

The election of 1800 was significant because it highlighted the need for a reform of the Electoral College system. The election ended in a tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, and the Electoral College was unprepared for this outcome. This led to a constitutional crisis that was eventually resolved by the passage of the 12th Amendment, which reformed the Electoral College system.

Question 14

The Progressive Era led to ______ in the presidential election process.

Accepted Answer

The Progressive Era emphasized the idea of a more participatory democracy, which led to the expansion of voting rights and the promotion of citizen involvement in the political process. This shift resulted in a more prominent role for everyday citizens in the presidential election process.

Question 15

Who had the most influence over the selection of a party's presidential nominee up through the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

Up through the 1960s, the political elite within a party had the most influence over the selection of a party's presidential nominee. This included influential party leaders, elected officials, and delegates to party conventions.

Question 16

Under the initial structure of the Electoral College, who was responsible for settling a tie between presidential candidates?

Accepted Answer

According to the initial structure of the Electoral College, if there was a tie between presidential candidates, the House of Representatives was responsible for settling it. In such a scenario, each state delegation in the House would have one vote, and the candidate who received a majority of state delegations (i.e. 26 votes) would be declared the winner.

Question 17

Which two parties were involved in the first nomination phase of the presidential selection process in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The first nomination phase of the presidential selection process in the United States involved the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans. The Federalists nominated John Adams for president and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney for vice president, while the Democratic-Republicans nominated Thomas Jefferson for president and Aaron Burr for vice president.

Question 18

Why is the nomination phase of the presidential selection process not mentioned in the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Founders did not anticipate the impact political parties would have on the presidential selection process, which led to the development of the nomination phase outside of the Constitution.

Question 19

During which phase of the nomination campaign does a potential candidate seek support, line up a staff, and begin fundraising?

Accepted Answer

The prenomination campaign is the phase in which potential candidates seek support, line up a staff, and begin fundraising. This is the period before the official nomination process begins, including primaries and caucuses.

Question 20

John is an incumbent president who has just won re-election and has a high public approval rating among most Americans. He is relatively young and has been in good health throughout his administration. As such, the president petitions to run for a third term in office. This would be a violation of ______.

Accepted Answer

The Twenty-Third Amendment to the United States Constitution limits a president to serving no more than two elected terms in office. Running for a third term would be a violation of this amendment.

Quiz 14: Campaigns and Elections