Electing a President - AP Government and Politics
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What is the function of a Presidential debate?
What is the function of a Presidential debate?
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Inform voters on candidates' positions. Allows direct comparison of candidates' positions.
Inform voters on candidates' positions. Allows direct comparison of candidates' positions.
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Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?
Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?
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Federal Election Commission (FEC). Monitors and enforces campaign spending regulations.
Federal Election Commission (FEC). Monitors and enforces campaign spending regulations.
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What is the term for a candidate's official campaign platform?
What is the term for a candidate's official campaign platform?
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Policy platform. Set of policies and priorities the candidate supports.
Policy platform. Set of policies and priorities the candidate supports.
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Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.
Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.
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Only party members vote. Restricts voting to registered party members only.
Only party members vote. Restricts voting to registered party members only.
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What is a 'brokered convention'?
What is a 'brokered convention'?
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No candidate wins majority delegate votes. Multiple ballots needed to choose nominee.
No candidate wins majority delegate votes. Multiple ballots needed to choose nominee.
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What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?
What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?
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Accepts nomination, outlines vision. Formally accepts party nomination and presents agenda.
Accepts nomination, outlines vision. Formally accepts party nomination and presents agenda.
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Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?
Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?
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Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.
Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.
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Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.
Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.
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January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.
January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.
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What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?
What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?
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Lame duck period. Outgoing president has reduced power and influence.
Lame duck period. Outgoing president has reduced power and influence.
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What is the impact of the 'winner-take-all' system?
What is the impact of the 'winner-take-all' system?
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All electors go to state popular vote winner. Used by 48 states; candidate needs plurality to win.
All electors go to state popular vote winner. Used by 48 states; candidate needs plurality to win.
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What is the role of a Presidential primary delegate?
What is the role of a Presidential primary delegate?
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Vote for candidate at party convention. Represents voters' choice at national convention.
Vote for candidate at party convention. Represents voters' choice at national convention.
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Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.
Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.
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Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.
Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.
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What is the function of a campaign's 'ground game'?
What is the function of a campaign's 'ground game'?
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Mobilize voters to polls. Field organization focused on voter turnout efforts.
Mobilize voters to polls. Field organization focused on voter turnout efforts.
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Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?
Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?
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Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.
Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.
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What is the term for a state moving its primary earlier in the calendar?
What is the term for a state moving its primary earlier in the calendar?
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Frontloading. Strategy to gain early momentum in nomination race.
Frontloading. Strategy to gain early momentum in nomination race.
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What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?
What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?
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Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.
Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.
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Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?
Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?
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Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.
Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.
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What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?
What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?
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Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.
Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.
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Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?
Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?
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New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.
New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.
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What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?
What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?
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Popular candidate boosts party candidates. Strong presidential candidate helps down-ballot races.
Popular candidate boosts party candidates. Strong presidential candidate helps down-ballot races.
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Which party's primary uses superdelegates?
Which party's primary uses superdelegates?
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Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.
Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.
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Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?
Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?
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22nd Amendment. Ratified in 1951 after FDR's four terms.
22nd Amendment. Ratified in 1951 after FDR's four terms.
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What is the total number of electoral votes in a U.S. Presidential election?
What is the total number of electoral votes in a U.S. Presidential election?
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538 electoral votes. Equals 435 House + 100 Senate + 3 DC seats.
538 electoral votes. Equals 435 House + 100 Senate + 3 DC seats.
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What is the original purpose of the Electoral College?
What is the original purpose of the Electoral College?
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Prevent direct election by uninformed populace. Framers wanted educated intermediaries between people and President.
Prevent direct election by uninformed populace. Framers wanted educated intermediaries between people and President.
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Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?
Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?
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Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
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Identify the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve.
Identify the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve.
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Two terms. Limited by the 22nd Amendment.
Two terms. Limited by the 22nd Amendment.
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What is the minimum age requirement to become President of the United States?
What is the minimum age requirement to become President of the United States?
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35 years old. Constitutional requirement set by Article II.
35 years old. Constitutional requirement set by Article II.
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What is the significance of the popular vote in a Presidential election?
What is the significance of the popular vote in a Presidential election?
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Determines state electors. Winner-take-all system allocates state's electoral votes.
Determines state electors. Winner-take-all system allocates state's electoral votes.
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Explain the term 'swing state' in the context of Presidential elections.
Explain the term 'swing state' in the context of Presidential elections.
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State with unpredictable voting outcome. Competitive states that could vote either way.
State with unpredictable voting outcome. Competitive states that could vote either way.
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What is a 'faithless elector' in the Electoral College?
What is a 'faithless elector' in the Electoral College?
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Elector who does not vote as pledged. Breaks pledge to vote for their party's candidate.
Elector who does not vote as pledged. Breaks pledge to vote for their party's candidate.
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