Voter Turnout and Electoral College Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for a group appointed from both the House and the Senate that explores key issues but cannot create legislation?

Joint committees (correct)

Advisory committees

Conference committees

Select committees

What is the duration of a term for a member of the House of Representatives?

2 years (correct)

6 years

3 years

4 years

Which right allows Congress to monitor and review the executive branch's actions?

Judicial review

Legislative influence

Congressional oversight (correct)

Public accountability

Which article of the Constitution established the presidency?

Article II Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of executive orders?

They can be easily revoked Signup and view all the answers

What event typically causes a spike in presidential popularity among the public?

International crises Signup and view all the answers

Which president significantly increased presidential war powers during the Mexican-American War?

James K Polk Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a person who resides in a legislative district represented by a member of Congress?

Constituent Signup and view all the answers

What age range is least likely to vote?

18 to 25 years old Signup and view all the answers

Which age range is most likely to vote?

65 to 74 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement to register to vote in the United States?

Must be 18 years or older Signup and view all the answers

Which Supreme Court decision increased the power of super PACs?

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Signup and view all the answers

What determines the number of electoral college votes that each state has?

The size of its federal congressional delegation Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

The process of creating electoral districts to favor a candidate Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of the Electoral College?

It can lead to the popular vote winner losing the election Signup and view all the answers

How many members are in the House of Representatives?

435 Signup and view all the answers

What power was established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v Madison in 1803?

The power to declare actions unconstitutional Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for when a court defers to elected branches and interprets the Bill of Rights narrowly?

Judicial restraint Signup and view all the answers

How many justices serve on the United States Supreme Court?

Nine justices Signup and view all the answers

Which Supreme Court case is an example of judicial activism regarding the Defense of Marriage Act?

United States v Windsor Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Great Compromise reached in 1787?

To establish a bicameral legislature Signup and view all the answers

According to Alexander Hamilton, which branch of government did the framers believe to be the least dangerous?

Judicial branch Signup and view all the answers

How many amendments have been added to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights was ratified?

17 amendments Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a private individual claiming harm caused by another individual?

Tort Signup and view all the answers

What typically indicates a higher likelihood of voting in elections?

Higher levels of education Signup and view all the answers

Which demographic is least likely to vote?

18 to 25 years old Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement for a citizen to register to vote in the United States?

Must provide proof of residency Signup and view all the answers

What Supreme Court decision significantly expanded the influence of super PACs in elections?

Citizens United v Federal Election Commission Signup and view all the answers

What primarily determines the number of electoral college votes a state receives?

The state's population and congressional delegation Signup and view all the answers

What is a major criticism of the Electoral College system?

It can result in a president being elected without winning the popular vote Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the incumbent in an election?

The current office holder seeking re-election Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of joint committees in Congress?

To explore key issues without legislating. Signup and view all the answers

What power does Congress have over the president's veto?

To override it with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the concept of 'executive privilege'?

To allow the president to withhold information. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the concept of 'judicial restraint'?

The court defers decisions to elected officials. Signup and view all the answers

Which president was not impeached by the House of Representatives despite significant controversies?

Richard Nixon Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 26th amendment to the Constitution?

It lowers the voting age to 18. Signup and view all the answers

How many amendments have been added to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights?

17 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'Civic engagement'?

Activities by which individuals seek to influence policies and gain rights. Signup and view all the answers

What was established by the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention?

A bicameral legislature consisting of the House and Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'rally around the flag effect' refer to?

An increase in presidential popularity during international conflicts. Signup and view all the answers

When a private individual claims harm caused by another individual, what legal term is used?

Tort Signup and view all the answers

Which judicial principle requires courts to follow precedents in their decisions?

Stare decisis Signup and view all the answers

What ensures checks and balances between states in the bicameral system adopted by the framers?

Equal representation for all states in the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the cabinet in the executive branch?

To advise the president on various issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Voter Turnout and Registration

Least likely voters are aged 18-25; most likely are 65-74.
National Voter Registration Act makes voter registration easier.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission increased the power of Super PACs.
Factors predicting voter turnout include age, income, wealth, education, race (Caucasians tend to vote more).
Voter registration requirements include being 18 or older, proof of government-issued ID, proof of residency, and valid state ID.

Electoral College

Each state's electoral college votes are determined by its congressional delegation (number of representatives and senators).
A total of 538 electoral votes are available; a candidate needs 270 to win.
Voter turnout is calculated by comparing the number of votes cast to the total potential number of votes.
A criticism of the electoral college is the split between popular vote and electoral college vote winner.
The popular vote winner might not win the electoral college.

Political Parties and Representation

Strong loyalty to a political party, ideology, or agenda, often accompanied by a negative view of the opposing party is referred to as partisanship.
The House of Representatives has 435 members, and the Senate has 100.
Gerrymandering is the apportionment of voters in districts in such a way as to give an unfair advantage to a candidate or political party.
A 2/3 vote in both the House and Senate is needed to override a presidential veto.

Congressional Committees and Powers

Joint committees are appointed from both the House and the Senate to explore key issues like the economy and taxation.
The framers created a bicameral system to create checks and balances between large and small states, ensuring equal representation.

Terms for Congress and Presidency

House of Representatives terms are 2 years; Senator terms are 6 years.
Congressional oversight is the right of Congress to review and monitor other government bodies.
A constituent is a person who lives in a district represented by a member of the legislature.
The president establishes executive privilege to withhold information.
Presidential popularity may spike during national crises (rally around the flag).
The 1800s president who expanded presidential war powers with the Mexican-American War was James K. Polk.

The Supreme Court and Judicial Review

Supreme Court justices serve for life, or until they step down or are impeached.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Court's power to declare actions unconstitutional.
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission demonstrated judicial activism.
Judicial restraint is a judicial philosophy in which judges generally defer decisions to the elected branches.
A "tort" is a civil wrong or injury committed by one person against another.

Amendments and Rights

17 Amendments to the Constitution have been added since the Bill of Rights, increasing the total to 27.
The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) established a bicameral legislature, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The 3/5 compromise, and fugitive slave clause were compromises that protected the institution of slavery.

Civic Engagement and Democracy

Democracy is a form of government where political power rests with the people.
Representative governments are forms where citizens elect representatives to make decisions.
Citizens do not directly govern in representative governments; elected representatives make decisions on behalf of citizens. Representatives monitor the powers of other branches and protect minority rights.

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to voter turnout, registration, and the electoral college. Learn about the factors influencing voter participation, the roles of political parties, and the implications of landmark cases like Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Test your knowledge on how these elements shape the electoral process in the United States.