Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the total number of electoral votes required to win the presidency?
What is the total number of electoral votes required to win the presidency?
- 320
- 270 (correct)
- 300
- 250
Which of the following best defines a swing state?
Which of the following best defines a swing state?
- A state that consistently votes for one party
- A close vote in the ballots that can shift from one candidate to another (correct)
- A state that does not participate in elections
- A state with a large number of electoral votes
How do presidential candidates win electoral votes?
How do presidential candidates win electoral votes?
- By gaining votes from both state and national levels
- By receiving endorsements from state officials
- By winning the majority of states
- By winning the popular vote among citizens in a state (correct)
Which of the following is a con of the Electoral College?
Which of the following is a con of the Electoral College?
How many total elections are conducted on Presidential election day?
How many total elections are conducted on Presidential election day?
What is the function of the elastic clause in the Constitution?
What is the function of the elastic clause in the Constitution?
What action can Congress take to check the power of the President?
What action can Congress take to check the power of the President?
What is the minimum number of electors a state can have in the Electoral College?
What is the minimum number of electors a state can have in the Electoral College?
Which of the following powers does the President NOT have?
Which of the following powers does the President NOT have?
What is the role of the Electoral College in U.S. elections?
What is the role of the Electoral College in U.S. elections?
Under the 22nd Amendment, how many terms can a President serve?
Under the 22nd Amendment, how many terms can a President serve?
Which of the following accurately describes an executive order?
Which of the following accurately describes an executive order?
Which of the following responsibilities requires Senate approval?
Which of the following responsibilities requires Senate approval?
Flashcards
How are electors determined?
How are electors determined?
The number of electors a state gets is determined by the total number of representatives and senators it has in Congress. Each state also gets at least three electors, representing two senators and one representative.
How many electoral votes are needed to win?
How many electoral votes are needed to win?
The total number of electoral votes needed to win the presidential election is 270, which is at least half of the 538 total electoral votes.
What is a swing state?
What is a swing state?
A state considered a swing state can potentially go to either candidate in an election. It is not traditionally loyal to either party.
What is the popular vote?
What is the popular vote?
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Why was the Electoral College created?
Why was the Electoral College created?
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Elastic Clause
Elastic Clause
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Impeachment
Impeachment
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Executive Order
Executive Order
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Veto
Veto
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Electoral College
Electoral College
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How is the number of electors for each state determined?
How is the number of electors for each state determined?
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Powers of the President vs. Powers of Congress
Powers of the President vs. Powers of Congress
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Study Notes
Executive Branch
- Cabinet Advisors: 15 advisors to the President
- Elastic Clause: Allows Congress to create laws "necessary and proper" - a stretch of executive power.
- Executive Order: A rule or order from the President that has the force of law within the executive branch.
- Impeachment: Formal accusation of a crime against the President.
- Pardon: Forgiveness of offenses by the President.
- Law Enforcement & Regulatory Agencies: Implement and enforce laws and regulations within their fields.
- Veto: A President's rejection of a bill passed by Congress.
- 22nd Amendment: Limits a president to two terms.
- Presidential Requirements: Natural-born citizen, 35 years old, 14 years US citizenship.
- Enforcing Laws: The executive branch creates regulations (rules) detailing how laws are carried out. Regulations have similar weight to laws.
- Presidential Powers:
- Negotiate treaties
- Appoint cabinet members
- Appoint judges (federal & Supreme)
- Appoint ambassadors
- Congressional Checks on Presidency:
- Congress declares war.
- Senate approves presidential appointments.
- Congress can override a veto.
- Presidential Checks on Congress: Veto power
- Commander-in-Chief: The President, but Congress declares war.
Electoral College
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Electoral College: A group that formally elects the President.
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Founding Fathers' Motivation: Slow communication and transportation in 1790. Electors were expected to make more informed choices than a population possibly unfamiliar with the candidates.
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Determining Electors per State: Representatives + Senators = Electors. Minimum of 3 electors per state.
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Example States' Electors:
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NJ: 14
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CA: 54
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PA: 19
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NY: 28
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DE: 3
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DC: 3
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OH: 17
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Total Electors: 538
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Winning the Presidency: 270 electoral votes needed.
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Swing State: A state with close/undecided election results.
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Popular Vote: Individual citizen's vote in an election.
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Election Conductors: Each state conducts its own elections (reserved state power).
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Presidential Election Day Elections: 51 state elections + 1 DC election
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Winning Electoral Votes: Winning the popular vote secures the electoral votes for that state (in most cases)
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Electoral College Pros: Usually results in a clear winner, potentially producing a more informed candidate based on electoral choices.
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Electoral College Cons: Can result in a candidate winning the election without winning the popular vote. Small states receive an advantage.
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