Question 1

Jefferson won the popular vote in 1800.

Accepted Answer

Jefferson earned more than 60% of the popular vote in the election.

Question 2

Jefferson won the electoral college vote in 1800.

Accepted Answer

Ultimately, Jefferson won 73 votes to Adams' 65. However, Jefferson also tied with his running mate, Aaron Burr, which thrust the election into the House of Representatives to determine who should win the tie. After three dozen ballots, Jefferson prevailed and became president with Burr his vice-president.

Question 3

Eligible male turnout never dropped below 70% from 1840 to 1896.

Accepted Answer

On the strength of significant voter mobilization efforts, turnout rocketed to 80% of eligible adult males in 1840 and stayed high throughout the rest of the century, averaging about 77% and never dropping below 70% in each presidential election through 1896.

Question 4

Did delegates to the Constitutional Convention consider presidential term limits?

Accepted Answer

The delegates initially considered having an executive selected by the national legislature who would serve a single seven-year term and be ineligible for reelection. Several delegates disliked this option, though, for fear that they would be unable to retain a good leader and that a president determined to hold onto his office after year seven might do so by force.

Question 5

The King Caucus was:

Accepted Answer

King Caucus was an informal name for the congressional nominating caucus that enabled a relatively small group of national politicians to handpick the presidential candidate.

Question 6

Who was the first sitting president to actively campaign for reelection?

Accepted Answer

In contrast to his passive involvement in the 1928 election, Hoover campaigned vigorously for reelection in 1932, marking the first time in the nation's history that the incumbent campaigned as hard as the challenger.

Question 7

From 1836 to 1936, Democratic nominating conventions were longer and more contentious because:

Accepted Answer

The two-thirds requirement made for lengthy contests over nominations several times, including a 49-ballot vote in 1852 and a 46-ballot vote in 1912.

Question 8

What kind of impact do Superdelegates have on the selection of the Democratic presidential nominee?

Accepted Answer

Superdelegates are intended to moderate the popular primary vote, making sure the candidate most popular with the rank-and-file is also acceptable to the party elite. Generally, however, they have not conflicted with the regularly selected delegates.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a barrier to reforming the current nomination sequence?

Accepted Answer

The absence of a clearly superior plan that clears the barriers identified means that the nomination process as it currently exists is likely to become even more frontloaded.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a barrier to reforming the electoral college?

Accepted Answer

Although there is no indication that the public prefers the electoral college, the relative obscurity of the issue and the barriers identified means it is unlikely to be reformed any time soon.

Quiz 2: Selecting the President Introductory Puzzle: How Was Jefferson Almost Beaten