All flashcards
Flashcard 1: What is the function of a Presidential debate?
Answer: Inform voters on candidates' positions. Allows direct comparison of candidates' positions.
Flashcard 2: Which agency is responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws?
Answer: Federal Election Commission (FEC). Monitors and enforces campaign spending regulations.
Flashcard 3: What is the term for a candidate's official campaign platform?
Answer: Policy platform. Set of policies and priorities the candidate supports.
Flashcard 4: Define a 'closed primary' in the context of Presidential elections.
Answer: Only party members vote. Restricts voting to registered party members only.
Flashcard 5: What is a 'brokered convention'?
Answer: No candidate wins majority delegate votes. Multiple ballots needed to choose nominee.
Flashcard 6: What is the purpose of a candidate's acceptance speech?
Answer: Accepts nomination, outlines vision. Formally accepts party nomination and presents agenda.
Flashcard 7: Which body certifies the official results of a Presidential election?
Answer: Congress. Joint session formally counts electoral votes.
Flashcard 8: Identify the month in which the President-elect is inaugurated.
Answer: January. Inauguration occurs on January 20th following election.
Flashcard 9: What is the term for the period between election and inauguration?
Answer: Lame duck period. Outgoing president has reduced power and influence.
Flashcard 10: 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 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: Identify the first state to hold a Presidential primary or caucus.
Answer: Iowa. Traditionally holds first caucuses in nomination process.
Flashcard 13: What is the function of a campaign's 'ground game'?
Answer: Mobilize voters to polls. Field organization focused on voter turnout efforts.
Flashcard 14: Which body has the power to resolve Presidential election disputes?
Answer: Supreme Court. Final arbiter of constitutional election disputes.
Flashcard 15: 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 16: What is the primary role of the Vice President during elections?
Answer: Running mate. Vice presidential candidate chosen to complement ticket.
Flashcard 17: Which section of the Constitution outlines the powers of the President?
Answer: Article II. Establishes executive branch and presidential powers.
Flashcard 18: What is the purpose of a primary election in Presidential races?
Answer: Select party nominees. Party members choose their preferred candidate.
Flashcard 19: Which state is traditionally known for having early influence due to its primary?
Answer: New Hampshire. First primary state with disproportionate influence.
Flashcard 20: What is the significance of the 'coattail effect' in elections?
Answer: Popular candidate boosts party candidates. Strong presidential candidate helps down-ballot races.
Flashcard 21: Which party's primary uses superdelegates?
Answer: Democratic Party. Uses superdelegates as additional convention votes.
Flashcard 22: Which amendment limits the President to two terms in office?
Answer: 22nd Amendment. Ratified in 1951 after FDR's four terms.
Flashcard 23: 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 24: 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 25: Which day of the week are Presidential elections typically held?
Answer: Tuesday. First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.
Flashcard 26: Identify the maximum number of terms a U.S. President can serve.
Answer: Two terms. Limited by the 22nd Amendment.
Flashcard 27: What is the minimum age requirement to become President of the United States?
Answer: 35 years old. Constitutional requirement set by Article II.
Flashcard 28: 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 29: 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 30: 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.