Voting Problems in US Democracy

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the races included in the election?

US Presidential Election

Local Mayor Election

Wisconsin Supreme Court (correct)

State Legislature

Who was the sitting state supreme court justice?

Ann Walsh Bradley

Daniel Kelly (correct)

Tony Evers

Jill Karnofsky

What was the effect of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision?

The election was postponed

The Governor's executive order was nullified (correct)

The election was cancelled

The Governor's executive order was upheld

What was the concern expressed by Judge Ann Walsh Bradley?

Disenfranchisement of voters Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Governor's stay-at-home order?

Poll workers were reluctant to show up at polling stations Signup and view all the answers

What was the reason for the reluctance of poll workers to show up?

Fear of catching the COVID-19 virus Signup and view all the answers

Who delivered a stinging rebuke to the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision?

Judge Ann Walsh Bradley Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Governor's stay-at-home order?

Decreased voter turnout Signup and view all the answers

What issue with the US electoral system has been present since the Reconstruction period?

Disenfranchisement Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is the likely outcome of lower voter turnout?

It benefits the Republican Party Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the 2000 presidential election in Florida?

It was a tie Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason behind voter suppression, according to the passage?

To disenfranchise specific groups Signup and view all the answers

What was a concern expressed six months before the 2020 presidential election?

The Trump administration would use the Covid-19 pandemic to suppress voter turnout Signup and view all the answers

What is one way voter suppression can take place, according to the passage?

By passing voter-identification requirements Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on democratic practices?

It prevented people from going to the polls in person Signup and view all the answers

What is a strategy that has been used by the Republican Party, according to the passage?

Voter suppression Signup and view all the answers

How many polling stations did the city of Milwaukee normally operate?

180 Signup and view all the answers

Why did the Wisconsin electoral system face an overwhelming backlog of absentee ballot requests?

Due to a high number of absentee ballot requests Signup and view all the answers

What did the U.S. Supreme Court do regarding the elections in Wisconsin?

Blocked a lower court order extending the deadline for mailing absentee ballots Signup and view all the answers

What was the majority opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices?

That they were ruling on a narrow, technical question about the absentee ballot process Signup and view all the answers

What did Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg express concern about in her dissenting opinion?

The dire health risks of gathering at Wisconsin polling places Signup and view all the answers

What did Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg add about the Court's order?

That it would lead to massive disenfranchisement Signup and view all the answers

How did the U.S. Supreme Court intervene in the Wisconsin elections?

By blocking a lower court order extending the deadline for mailing absentee ballots Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's order on the Wisconsin elections?

It could result in massive disenfranchisement Signup and view all the answers

What was the concern raised about state residents going to the polls in Wisconsin on April 7, 2020?

They would have to choose between voting and staying safe. Signup and view all the answers

What did Governor Tony Evers do the day before the Wisconsin elections?

He issued an executive order to suspend in-person voting until June. Signup and view all the answers

What was the issue that obsessed the Trump administration from the outset?

Voter fraud Signup and view all the answers

What did Donald Trump attribute his failure to win the popular vote to?

Millions of illegal votes Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Wisconsin Supreme Court's order?

The GOP's position was favored. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following Senators pushed for access to postal ballots before the 2020 election?

Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and others Signup and view all the answers

What was the context of the controversy over the election process in Wisconsin?

The COVID-19 pandemic Signup and view all the answers

What did the Wisconsin state legislature, dominated by the GOP, seek to do?

Enjoin the Governor's executive order Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason that might deter people from going to the polls?

Fear of contracting a deadly disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the administration embroiled in?

A variety of scandals, including sex scandals and collusion with Russia Signup and view all the answers

What was Donald Trump's profession before becoming president?

A businessman, a T.V. host, and a producer of reality TV shows Signup and view all the answers

Why did the majority spend considerable time outlining why the dissent was wrong?

To criticize the dissent's rhetoric as 'misplaced' Signup and view all the answers

What is the topic of Leah Litman's article?

The Supreme Court's Wisconsin Ruling Signup and view all the answers

What is the topic of the article by Akilah Johnson and Talia Buford?

Early Data on African Americans and COVID-19 Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of fear of contracting a deadly disease on people's decision to go to the polls?

It is certain to deter many people from going to the polls Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Donald Trump before he became president?

He was a businessman, a T.V. host, and a producer of reality TV shows Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

State of U.S. Democracy in 2020

Despite the 15th Amendment, voter suppression has been widespread in the United States, particularly in the South, to disenfranchise minorities, immigrants, young people, and other groups.
The GOP has deliberately made it difficult for these groups to vote, by purging voter rolls, passing voter-identification requirements, and understaffing or closing polling stations.
Lower voter turnout tends to benefit Republicans.

Voting Problems

The Covid-19 pandemic affected democratic practices, making it difficult for people to go to the polls in person.
Democrats pushed for postal ballots to be made available across the country before the November 2020 election.
In Wisconsin, the pandemic led to concerns about state residents going to the polls, forcing them to choose between voting and staying safe.

Wisconsin Election Controversy

On April 7, 2020, the Democratic Governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers, issued an executive order to suspend in-person voting until June and allow eligible voters to cast mail-in absentee ballots.
The Wisconsin state legislature, dominated by the GOP, sought to enjoin the Governor’s executive order.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court entered an order in favor of the GOP, nullifying the Governor’s executive order.

Voter Fraud

The Trump administration has attributed Trump's failure to win the popular vote in the 2016 Presidential election to millions of illegal votes, without substantiation.

Scandal-Ridden Administration

The White House has been embroiled in various scandals, including sex scandals, collusion with Russia, and conflicts of interest.

Politically Inexperienced President

Donald Trump, a businessman, TV host, and producer of reality TV shows, had no prior public office experience before becoming president.

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Description

This quiz explores the issues with voting in the United States, including voter suppression and the Electoral College. Learn about the historical roots of these problems and their impact on democracy.