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What was a primary concern of the Framers of the Constitution regarding the selection of the president?
According to the understanding of the Electoral College, what role do electors play?
What underlying principle did the Framers rely on when creating the Electoral College?
Which of the following statements best reflects the intention of the Framers regarding the Electoral College?
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What is one argument against using the popular vote to elect the president?
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What does the phrase 'charismatic demagogues' imply in the context of electing a president?
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What is the term used for electors who do not vote in accordance with their state’s popular vote?
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What significant event is noted regarding the 2016 Election in relation to electors?
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What does the term 'party platform' refer to?
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Which of the following best describes 'electioneering' as it relates to political parties?
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What is the role of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee?
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Which of the following does NOT describe the party identifiers?
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Which concept best describes the relationship between party members and party identifiers?
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In what manner do political parties engage in governing?
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What is the primary purpose of the national nominating convention for political parties?
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What does the outcome of the General Election determine?
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What might complicate the process of becoming a presidential nominee besides winning primaries?
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What is the primary role of the popular vote in a presidential election?
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Which of the following accurately describes the 'winner take all system'?
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What occurs after Election Day regarding the results for the presidential election?
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What common misconception do many Americans have about voting for president?
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Study Notes
The Electoral College
- The Electoral College is a system of electors from each state who officially vote for the president in December of an election year.
- Each State's number of electors is based on the number of US Representatives plus the number of US Senators.
- The 23rd amendment grants 3 electoral votes to the District of Columbia.
- To win the presidency, a candidate needs 270 out of 538 electoral college votes.
- The popular vote of the state determines which group of electors is sent to vote for president.
- The popular vote doesn't determine the presidential winner, the electoral college does in December.
Political Parties
- The US Political landscape is dominated by two political parties: republicans and democrats.
- Political parties seek to use the political system to attain goals by controlling government.
- Political parties engage in electioneering, governing, and establishing platforms.
- A platform outlines a political party's principles, beliefs, and positions on public matters.
- Political parties have four segments: party identifiers, party-in-the-electorate, party organizations, and party-in-government.
- To officially become the presidential nominee for a political party, a candidate must win a majority of delegates at the national nominating convention.
- Delegates are typically party activists or party leaders who have participated in lower conventions.
- Delegates' votes are determined by a complex formula based on results from the primary elections.
General Elections
- The General Election is on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
- The General Election occurs every 2 years, but the office of president is on the ballot every four years
- While people vote in the General Election, results are not finalized for the office of president until the Electoral College votes.
- The winner of the popular vote for other elected officials is the winner, but this is not the case for the president.
Winner Take All system
- The winner-take-all system awards all of a state's electoral votes to the candidate who wins the popular vote in that state.
- Maine and Nebraska are exceptions to the winner-take-all system and distribute electoral votes based on the popular vote in congressional districts.
Faithless Electors
- There is nothing in the Constitution that says electors must vote according to the popular vote of their state.
- Electors who vote for a candidate other than the one who won the popular vote in their state are known as faithless electors.
- While there are no federal consequences for faithless electors, some states have consequences ranging from jail time, fines, or the canceling of their vote.
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Description
This quiz covers the functions of the Electoral College and the role of political parties in the United States. It explores how electors are chosen, the importance of the popular vote, and the dynamics between the Republican and Democratic parties. Test your knowledge on the electoral process and party politics!
