Electing a President - AP US Government and Politics

1. What is the impact of the 'winner-take-all' system?

   All electors go to state popular vote winner. Used by 48 states; candidate needs plurality to win.

2. Which body confirms the Electoral College votes?

   Congress. Joint session counts and certifies electoral votes.

3. Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?

   Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.

4. What is the minimum age requirement to become President of the United States?

   35 years old. Constitutional requirement set by Article II.

5. Which amendment changed the inauguration date to January 20th?

   20th Amendment. Moved inauguration from March to January.

6. What is the function of a Presidential debate?

   Inform voters on candidates' positions. Allows direct comparison of candidates' positions.

7. What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?

   Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.

8. Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.

   January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.

9. What is the role of a Presidential primary delegate?

   Vote for candidate at party convention. Represents voters' choice at national convention.

10. What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?

    Lame duck period. Outgoing president has reduced power and influence.

11. What is the role of the House of Representatives if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

    Elects the President. Each state gets one vote; majority needed to win.

12. What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?

    Accepts nomination, outlines vision. Formally accepts party nomination and presents agenda.

13. What is a 'brokered convention'?

    No candidate wins majority delegate votes. Multiple ballots needed to choose nominee.

14. What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?

    Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.

15. Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.

    Only party members vote. Restricts voting to registered party members only.

16. What is the original purpose of the Electoral College?

    Prevent direct election by uninformed populace. Framers wanted educated intermediaries between people and President.

17. What is a 'faithless elector' in the Electoral College?

    Elector who does not vote as pledged. Breaks pledge to vote for their party's candidate.

18. What is the term for a state moving its primary earlier in the calendar?

    Frontloading. Strategy to gain early momentum in nomination race.

19. What is the function of a campaign's 'ground game'?

    Mobilize voters to polls. Field organization focused on voter turnout efforts.

20. Explain the term 'swing state' in the context of Presidential elections.

    State with unpredictable voting outcome. Competitive states that could vote either way.

21. Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.

    Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.

22. What is a political party's national convention's main purpose?

    Nominate Presidential candidate. Formal ceremony to select party's presidential nominee.

23. What is the main purpose of a Presidential campaign?

    Persuade voters to elect the candidate. Organized effort to win votes and secure victory.

24. Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?

    22nd Amendment. Ratified in 1951 after FDR's four terms.

25. Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?

    New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.

26. Which amendment provides the procedure for Presidential succession?

    25th Amendment. Clarifies what happens when President cannot serve.

27. What is the total number of electoral votes in a U.S. Presidential election?

    538 electoral votes. Equals 435 House + 100 Senate + 3 DC seats.

28. What is the significance of the popular vote in a Presidential election?

    Determines state electors. Winner-take-all system allocates state's electoral votes.

29. What is the term for a candidate's official campaign platform?

    Policy platform. Set of policies and priorities the candidate supports.

30. Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?

    Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.

31. Identify the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve.

    Two terms. Limited by the 22nd Amendment.

32. What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?

    Popular candidate boosts party candidates. Strong presidential candidate helps down-ballot races.

33. Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?

    Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.

34. Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?

    Federal Election Commission (FEC). Monitors and enforces campaign spending regulations.

35. Which party's primary uses superdelegates?

    Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.

36. How many electoral votes are needed to win the U.S. Presidency?

    270 electoral votes. Simple majority of the 538 total votes.

37. What is the main role of the Electoral College in Presidential elections?

    Elects the President. Formal body that officially chooses the President.

38. Which body selects the Vice President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

    Senate. Each senator gets one vote; majority needed to win.

39. Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?

    Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

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