Electoral College Quiz Study Guide

The process of creating and implementing public policy, starting with public opinion, then moving to the public agenda, and finally resulting in public policy.

Individuals, Media, and Interest Groups heavily influence public policy through activities like voting, lobbying, and demonstrations.

High campaign costs make running for office more difficult, favoring wealthy individuals and limiting opportunities for others.

Interest groups identify issues, run campaigns, lobby officials, and show examples of lobbying to influence public policy.

The set of issues that people, and the media, care about at a particular time. This sets the direction of policy discussions.

Raising significant funds is crucial. Higher campaign costs limit people's ability to run for office, and favor those with more money.

Facts are true statements, while opinions are beliefs or viewpoints.

To determine the accuracy of campaign speeches, literature, and ads, look for facts, avoid propaganda, identify bias, and check the sources.

Forms of communication designed to reach large audiences.

Mass media provides various viewpoints, identifies candidates, highlights issues, and presents opinions (editorials, etc.).

An opinion piece expressing an author's viewpoint on a topic.

Government officials use media to communicate with the public.

Media influences the public's focus on certain issues.

Media's role in exposing wrongdoing of government officials.

Media provides a platform for candidates to share their viewpoints.

Expressing opinions and trying to change policies.

Campaign costs increasing in price.

Candidates must raise money to run. Fundraisers, special interests, and PACs help with this.

A maximum amount a person can contribute to a presidential candidate.

A group focusing on a specific issue or topic.

The election where people vote for the President of the United States.

The number of representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives, determining its electoral votes.

Each state gets two senators, irrespective of population.

The total number of votes a candidate receives in a presidential election.

A state's electoral votes are determined by adding its senators (2) to the number of representatives it has in the House.

Necessary number of electoral votes to win the presidency, which is 270 out of 538 total.

A process in the U.S. for electing the President and Vice-President.

The political system in the U.S. where two major parties (e.g., Democrat and Republican) predominantly control the political landscape.

A candidate can lose the popular vote but still win the presidency if they win the required number of electoral votes.

The difference between the total individual votes cast and the specific outcome of the Electoral College system.

The Electoral College is established by the U.S. Constitution.

A formal alteration to the U.S. Constitution.

In most states, the candidate who wins the popular vote receives all the state's electoral votes.

The number of representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Virginia has 11 representatives in the U.S. House.

When people vote in presidential elections, they are actually voting for electors.

Presidential candidates focus on states where the outcome is uncertain (competitive states).

Small states, though with fewer electoral votes, still have a say in the presidential election.

A state's electoral votes go entirely to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.

Electors meet to cast their votes for President and Vice President.

Organizations that advocate for specific issues or interests.

Groups that raise and spend money to elect or defeat candidates.

A process for electing the President(and Vice-President) of the US.

Money spent to promote a candidate or idea in an election.

Wealthy individuals and groups have a disproportionate impact on elections due to campaign costs.

PACs primarily give money to candidates.

Regulations on how much money can be spent in elections.

High campaign costs give interest groups substantially more influence on politics.

Course of action the government takes on specific issues.

A person who attempts to influence legislators to support or oppose a specific policy.

To affect public policy related to their specific interest.

Editorial reflects the newspaper's official view, whilst op-eds are opinions from outside contributors.

Means of communication that reach a large audience.

Issues that are prioritized and receive considerable attention from government leaders.

Raising campaign funds through events and organizations.

The 4 roles mass media plays in elections, including identifying candidates, emphasizing specific points, writing editorials, publishing political cartoons and opinion pieces, and separating fact from opinion.

Recognizing the political candidates who are running in an election.

Highlighing certain aspects of a political campaign or candidate to influence viewers.

Writing opinion pieces about political candidates or campaigns.

Using visual and written forms to provide commentary and perspective on candidates or campaigns.

Distinguishing between statements of truth and viewpoints in media coverage.

Critically analyzing media (speeches, literature, ads) to make informed choices in elections.

Recognizing the author's or media source's tendency to favor one side or opinion.

Assessing if a source is trustworthy in presenting information.

Regulations intended to control money in politics, limiting the amount individuals can contribute to political candidates, but not placing limits on money from PACs or Super PACs.

Growing concern about the role of money in politics motivating campaign finance reform.

The aim of campaign finance laws is to reduce the influence of large contributions on election outcomes.

Restrictions on the amount of financial support a political candidate can receive from individuals or groups.

The financial resources used to support political campaigns.