AP Government and Politics Flashcards: Electing A President

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Electing A President, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

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

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

Flashcard 2: What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?

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

Flashcard 3: What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?

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

Flashcard 4: Which body confirms the Electoral College votes?

Answer: Congress. Joint session counts and certifies electoral votes.

Flashcard 5: Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?

Answer: Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.

Flashcard 6: What is the minimum age requirement to become President of the United States?

Answer: 35 years old. Constitutional requirement set by Article II.

Flashcard 7: Which amendment changed the inauguration date to January 20th?

Answer: 20th Amendment. Moved inauguration from March to January.

Flashcard 8: Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?

Answer: Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.

Flashcard 9: What is the function of a Presidential debate?

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

Flashcard 10: What is a 'brokered convention'?

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

Flashcard 11: What is the role of a Presidential primary delegate?

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

Flashcard 12: What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?

Answer: Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.

Flashcard 13: Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.

Answer: January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.

Flashcard 14: What is the role of a Presidential primary delegate?

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

Flashcard 15: How many electoral votes are needed to win the U.S. Presidency?

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

Flashcard 16: What is a political party's national convention's main purpose?

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

Flashcard 17: What is the function of a Presidential debate?

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

Flashcard 18: What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?

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

Flashcard 19: Which body selects the Vice President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 20: What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?

Answer: Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.

Flashcard 21: What is the role of the House of Representatives if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 22: What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?

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

Flashcard 23: What is a 'brokered convention'?

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

Flashcard 24: What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?

Answer: Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.

Flashcard 25: Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?

Answer: Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.

Flashcard 26: What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?

Answer: Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.

Flashcard 27: Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.

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

Flashcard 28: Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?

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

Flashcard 29: What is the original purpose of the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 30: What is the main role of the Electoral College in Presidential elections?

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

Flashcard 31: What is a 'faithless elector' in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 32: What is the term for a state moving its primary earlier in the calendar?

Answer: Frontloading. Strategy to gain early momentum in nomination race.

Flashcard 33: What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?

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

Flashcard 34: What is the function of a campaign's 'ground game'?

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

Flashcard 35: Explain the term 'swing state' in the context of Presidential elections.

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

Flashcard 36: Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.

Answer: January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.

Flashcard 37: Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.

Answer: Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.

Flashcard 38: Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.

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

Flashcard 39: What is the impact of the 'winner-take-all' system?

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

Flashcard 40: What is a political party's national convention's main purpose?

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

Flashcard 41: What is the main purpose of a Presidential campaign?

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

Flashcard 42: Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?

Answer: New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.

Flashcard 43: Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?

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

Flashcard 44: What is the term for a state moving its primary earlier in the calendar?

Answer: Frontloading. Strategy to gain early momentum in nomination race.

Flashcard 45: What is the main purpose of a Presidential campaign?

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

Flashcard 46: Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?

Answer: New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.

Flashcard 47: What is a 'faithless elector' in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 48: Which body confirms the Electoral College votes?

Answer: Congress. Joint session counts and certifies electoral votes.

Flashcard 49: What is the role of the House of Representatives if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 50: Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.

Answer: Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.

Flashcard 51: Which amendment provides the procedure for Presidential succession?

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

Flashcard 52: Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?

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

Flashcard 53: What is the total number of electoral votes in a U.S. Presidential election?

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

Flashcard 54: What is the significance of the popular vote in a Presidential election?

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

Flashcard 55: What is the term for a candidate's official campaign platform?

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

Flashcard 56: Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?

Answer: Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Flashcard 57: Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?

Answer: Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.

Flashcard 58: Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?

Answer: Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.

Flashcard 59: Which party's primary uses superdelegates?

Answer: Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.

Flashcard 60: Identify the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve.

Answer: Two terms. Limited by the 22nd Amendment.

Flashcard 61: What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?

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

Flashcard 62: What is the total number of electoral votes in a U.S. Presidential election?

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

Flashcard 63: Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?

Answer: Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.

Flashcard 64: Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?

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

Flashcard 65: Which party's primary uses superdelegates?

Answer: Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.

Flashcard 66: Which amendment changed the inauguration date to January 20th?

Answer: 20th Amendment. Moved inauguration from March to January.

Flashcard 67: How many electoral votes are needed to win the U.S. Presidency?

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

Flashcard 68: What is the main role of the Electoral College in Presidential elections?

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

Flashcard 69: Which body selects the Vice President if no candidate wins a majority in the Electoral College?

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

Flashcard 70: Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?

Answer: Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.