22 Questions
What can lead to sample bias in scientific polling?
All of the above
How can framing of questions influence answers in scientific polling?
It can lead to answer bias
In the 2016 election, what was an example of sample bias in predicting the likelihood of winning?
Asking people who are left-leaning or read the NY Times
What is a potential issue with calling only through cell phones for polling?
Some people may not pick up
What can be a consequence of respondents telling researchers what they want to hear in polling?
Answer bias
How does asking the same question over a 14-year period of time impact polling?
It leads to question bias
What is a potential drawback of relying on left-leaning sources for election predictions?
Sample bias
How can the framing of questions impact the reliability of polling data?
It can decrease reliability due to question bias
What is a potential issue with asking the public questions only through landlines?
Limited access to a diverse sample
Why might respondents be inclined to not answer polling questions truthfully?
Desire to please the researchers
What can result from asking the public questions only through cell phones?
Biased responses
How does the framing of questions impact the accuracy of election predictions?
It can decrease accuracy due to question bias
What is the basis for the number of electoral college votes each state receives?
The number of representatives and senators
In which state can electors in the Electoral College vote independently of the popular vote?
New Hampshire
What is a potential problem with the Electoral College system?
Potential overrepresentation of small states
How often are district lines redrawn for Congress based on national census data?
Every decade
What is the basis for representation in the Senate?
Equal representation for each state
What can gerrymandering lead to?
Districts being redrawn to dilute certain votes
How are members of Congress elected?
Through single member districts
What can campaigning be challenging due to?
The diverse pool of voters
What is a potential consequence of single member district voting?
Voter apathy and a two-party system
What does winning a lot of money do for a candidate's chances in an election?
Improve their chances, but not the only factor
Study Notes
Electing a President, Congress, Gerrymandering, and Campaigns
- Electors in the Electoral College are not always politicians and can be chosen by state legislatures.
- Electors are bound by the popular vote, except in New Hampshire, where they can vote independently.
- The number of electoral college votes for each state is based on the number of representatives and senators, with California having the most (55) and Texas the second most (38).
- Problems with the Electoral College include potential overrepresentation of small states and the possibility for a candidate to win the popular vote but lose the election.
- Congress is elected through single member districts, with each congressional district having one seat.
- Single member district voting can lead to voter apathy and a two-party system, and district lines are redrawn every decade based on national census data.
- The representation in the Senate is based on equal representation for each state, while the House is based on population size.
- Gerrymandering can lead to districts being redrawn to dilute certain votes and can result in representatives being responsible for vastly different groups of people.
- Campaigning can be challenging due to the diverse pool of voters, and candidates often use buzz words and symbols as cues for voters.
- Winning a lot of money can improve a candidate's chances, but it is not the only factor in winning an election.
Test your knowledge of the electoral process, Congress, gerrymandering, and campaigning with this quiz. Explore topics such as the Electoral College, congressional districting, gerrymandering, and the strategies and challenges of political campaigns.
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