Campaigns and Elections Overview
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following characteristics are correct regarding citizens in states with ballot initiatives?

  • Higher voter turnout (correct)
  • More informed voters
  • Partisan polarization (correct)
  • Increased political engagement (correct)

    • Partisan polarization among voters and elected officials has reduced the number of voters splitting their tickets.

    True

    In the United States, which levels of government are most responsible for administering elections?

  • State governments (correct)
  • National government
  • County governments (correct)
  • City governments (correct)

    • Which of the following are examples of micro-targeting?

    <p>Marceline receiving a call from a pro-life supporter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Candidates can spend an unlimited amount of their own money in trying to win an election.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ or caucus votes determine the allocation of __________ at the party's convention. In addition to selecting the party's nominee, delegates also vote on the __________ at the convention.

    <p>primary, delegates, party platform</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the frequency of the election cycle to the corresponding election type:

    <p>Presidential elections = four years Midterm elections = two years Congressional elections = two years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are campaigns different now compared to several decades ago?

    <p>Almost all campaigns make use of public-opinion polls of likely voters. Campaigns make use of big data to inform their campaign strategies. Campaigns more often engage in micro-targeting.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Relative to campaigns in the nineteenth century, today's campaigns require ________ effort by campaign workers and __________ campaign money.

    <p>less, more</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements are correct regarding the stability of party identification?

    <p>Looking at the electorate as a whole, party identification is stable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might digital media be more effective than television ads?

    <p>It may be more effective with viewers because internet users seek out information. It is cheaper. It offers more possibilities for free advertisement.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Is the 'Block Billionaires from Buying Elections Act' constitutional?

    <p>Probably not.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the correct and incorrect statements about the 2020 Democratic Party.

    <p>The Democratic primary featured the most diverse field of candidates to date.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which form of electoral system is most common in the United States?

    <p>Plurality system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Of the many steps to becoming president, which of the following options happens first?

    <p>primaries and caucuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activities may be part of a campaign?

    <p>Rallies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a candidate who is running for re-election to a position in Congress that she already holds?

    <p>Incumbents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Unlike PACs, 527 organizations are not subjected to contribution limits and spending caps.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If voters are dissatisfied with their elected state official, what process do they use to remove her before the term expires?

    <p>Recall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Put the following nomination methods in order from earliest in American history to the most recent:

    <p>Congressional 'King Caucus' = delegates chosen by state party leaders delegates chosen by primaries and caucuses = recent nomination methods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of campaign with the campaign characteristics that describe it:

    <p>Organizationally driven = Grassroots campaign Statewide campaign = Mass media campaign Local campaign = Grassroots campaign Money-intensive = Mass media campaign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ or caucus votes determine the allocation of __________ at the party's convention.

    <p>Primary, delegates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the frequency of the election cycle to the corresponding election type.

    <p>Presidential elections = Four years Midterm elections = Two years Congressional elections = Two years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are campaigns different now compared to several decades ago?

    <p>Almost all campaigns make use of public-opinion polls of likely voters and big data to inform their strategies.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Relative to campaigns in the nineteenth century, today's campaigns require ________ effort by campaign workers and _________ campaign money.

    <p>Less, more</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements are correct regarding the stability of party identification?

    <p>Party identification is stable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why might digital media be more effective than television ads?

    <p>It may be more effective with viewers because internet users seek out information, and it is cheaper.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Is the 'Block Billionaires from Buying Elections Act' constitutional?

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the correct and incorrect statements about the 2020 Democratic Party.

    <p>The Democratic primary featured the most diverse field of candidates to date.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which form of electoral system is most common in the United States?

    <p>Plurality system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Of the many steps to becoming president, the __________ and __________ help choose the candidate who will go on to the general election.

    <p>Primaries, caucuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which activities may be part of a campaign?

    <p>Voter-mobilization drives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes a candidate who is running for re-election to a position in Congress that she already holds?

    <p>Incumbents</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Unlike PACs, 527 organizations are subject to contribution limits.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If voters are dissatisfied with their elected state official, they use this process to remove her before the term expires.

    <p>Recall</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Put the following nomination methods in order from earliest in American history to the most recent.

    <p>Congressional 'King Caucus' = Delegates chosen by state party leaders Delegates chosen by primaries and caucuses = Delegates chosen by primaries and caucuses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of campaign with the campaign characteristics that describe it.

    <p>Organizationally driven = Grassroots campaign Statewide campaign = Mass media campaign Local campaign = Grassroots campaign Money-intensive = Mass media campaign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements are supported by this figure?

    <p>Biden did better among Republicans than Trump did among Democrats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the U.S. Supreme Court case to the effect it had on campaign spending.

    <p>McCutcheon et al. v. FEC (2014) = Removed limits on how many PACs or candidates an individual can give to Buckley v. Valeo (1974) = Introduced idea that campaign contributions count as speech Citizens United v. FEC (2010) = Government could not restrict independent expenditures by corporations or unions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each form of direct democracy to its correct characteristic(s).

    <p>Referendum = Required for changes to state constitutions Ballot initiative = Allows citizens to place proposed law directly on ballot</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Order the political candidates on their likelihood of attracting campaign donations from interest groups from most likely to least likely.

    <p>Incumbent member of majority party, Incumbent member of minority party, Challenger candidate from majority party, Challenger candidate from minority party</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Place these steps for electing a president in the proper order (from earliest to latest).

    <p>Form an exploratory committee = Primaries and caucuses The convention = General election Electoral college = Inauguration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do 527s and 501(c)(4)s differ from more traditional campaign finance groups such as political action committees?

    <p>These groups cannot coordinate directly with campaigns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following are true about majority-minority districts?

    <p>They occur when more than 50 percent of the people living in the district come from a minority racial or ethnic background.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Women candidates are underrepresented as candidates relative to their population by what percentage?

    <p>26%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Place the groups in order from the most underrepresented in terms of their candidacies relative to population to those that are the most overrepresented.

    <p>Latinos</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is correct about the education levels of those who run for office?

    <p>Those who have run for office generally have higher levels of education than the U.S. population.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Place these steps for electing a president in the proper order (from earliest to latest).

    <p>Form an exploratory committee = Primaries and caucuses The convention = General election Electoral college = Inauguration</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What issues were notable in the 2020 presidential election?

    <p>Racial strife and mass protests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about campaign fundraising in 2016 is most accurate?

    <p>The Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, raised substantially more money than the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    527 committees and 501(c)(4) committees are independent expenditure groups that can raise and spend _________ amounts.

    <p>Unlimited</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Negative campaign ads are more likely to address _____________, whereas positive campaign ads tend to focus on ______________.

    <p>Policy positions, personal characteristics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique crises affected the 2020 presidential election?

    <p>Coronavirus pandemic</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement about campaign fundraising in 2016 is most accurate?

    <p>The Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton, raised substantially more money than the Republican candidate, Donald Trump.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The trend in campaign finance law over time has been toward which of the following?

    <p>Fewer restrictions on campaign donations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why have most major party candidates declined federal funding for their presidential campaigns recently?

    <p>They could raise and spend far more money on their own.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statements about redistricting are true?

    <p>Redistricting is conducted to account for population shifts within a state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A ________ electoral system, which requires a person to get more than 50 percent of the votes cast in the election to win, is usually paired with ______ to ensure that there is a single winner.

    <p>Majority, runoff election</p> Signup and view all the answers

    527 committees and 501(c)(4) committees are independent expenditure groups that can raise and spend _________ amounts.

    <p>Unlimited</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What unique crises affected the 2020 presidential election?

    <p>The coronavirus pandemic and racial strife and mass protests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Identify the correct and incorrect statements about the 2020 presidential election.

    <p>Suburban voters supported Donald Trump over Joe Biden.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Although __________ will continue to have control of the U.S. House of Representatives, __________ gained over a dozen seats.

    <p>Democrats, Republicans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do 527s and 501(c)(4)s differ from more traditional campaign finance groups such as political action committees?

    <p>They cannot coordinate with campaigns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Campaigns and Elections Overview

    • Primaries and caucuses allocate delegates at party conventions, influencing nominee selection and party platform votes.
    • Elections occur in cycles: presidential elections every four years, midterm elections every two years, and congressional elections also every two years.

    Evolution of Campaign Strategies

    • Modern campaigns utilize public-opinion polls and big data for strategies, with a significant focus on micro-targeting voter segments.
    • Compared to the past, today's campaigns require less effort from campaign workers but demand more financial resources.

    Political Participation and Party Identification

    • Party identification is generally stable, with individuals rarely changing their party affiliation despite volatility in specific elections.
    • Digital media can be more effective than TV ads due to cost-effectiveness, viewer engagement, and opportunities for unpaid promotion.

    Supreme Court and Campaign Spending

    • Restrictions on campaign financing are likely unconstitutional since the Supreme Court equates spending with free speech.
    • Key Supreme Court cases have shaped campaign finance, including decisions on unrestricted independent expenditures and defining donations as free speech.

    Electoral Systems and Voter Preferences

    • The plurality system is the most common electoral system; it rewards candidates who receive the most votes, often leading to runoff elections in majoritarian systems.
    • Campaign activities include advertisements, town halls, rallies, and voter-mobilization efforts.

    Role of Incumbents and Candidate Characteristics

    • Incumbents in Congress have higher re-election success rates due to established recognition and funding sources.
    • Majority-minority districts often reflect demographic concentrations, yet the courts have generally opposed their creation through redistricting.

    Campaign Financing and Grassroots Movements

    • 527 and 501(c)(4) organizations differ from PACs by having no contribution limits and not directly coordinating with campaigns.
    • Voter turnout and political interest tend to increase in states with ballot initiatives, reflecting active civic engagement.

    2020 Election Insights

    • The 2020 presidential election was marked by significant crises, including the coronavirus pandemic and racial protests.
    • There was a notable gender gap in voting, with demographics influencing candidate support; for instance, women and minorities are underrepresented in political candidacies relative to their populations.
    • Recent trends indicate fewer restrictions on campaign donations and expenditures, revealing shifts in campaign finance regulations.
    • Straight-ticket voting is more common today, reflecting heightened partisan polarization among voters.

    Challenges and Opportunities in Representation

    • The demographic landscape of candidates reflects disparities, with Latinos and Blacks underrepresented in political office relative to their percentages in the population.
    • Barriers such as the ambition gap contribute to the underrepresentation of women in politics, despite their majority presence in the population.

    Conclusion

    • Understanding the dynamics of campaigns and elections is crucial for analyzing electoral outcomes and civic participation in the U.S.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of campaigns and elections, including the processes of primaries, caucuses, and electoral cycles. It explores the evolution of campaign strategies, political participation, and the impact of digital media on voter engagement. Test your knowledge on these essential aspects of the electoral process.

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