Elections Chapter 10

Nomination The Delegate Game States get delegates to a party’s national convention based on population and voting history – Caucus – Primary Iowa/New Hampshire Super Tuesday Front Loading

Choosing a Running Mate Choosing a running mate (vp) is a very important decision. Usually it is done in a way to “balance the ticket”

2) The specific goal of the presidential nomination game is to A) win the majority of votes cast in presidential primaries. B) win the majority of votes cast in presidential caucuses. C) win the majority of delegate votes in order to win the party nomination. D) win a majority of votes in the electoral college. E) beat the other party's candidate in the general election.

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General Election The Electoral College chooses the president – States get electoral votes equal to senators plus representatives – “Winner Take All” except in Maine and Nebraska – “Winner Take All” system advantages “swing” states A majority of electoral votes (270) is needed in order to win. “Electors” officially decide in December

Electoral College: Original Intentions Allow small states to select a winner from the big state preferences Required candidates to have national appeal to have a real chance VP originally was the runner-up – Modified by the 12 th Amendment

California33,871, , North Carolina8,049, , Oklahoma3,523, , Alaska626, , United States281,421, , PopulationElectoral votesResidents/ElectorWeight Effects of Electoral College

14) The "electors" in the electoral college are A) the members of Congress from each state, who vote strictly according to who won the majority of their state's votes. B) the members of the House from each state, who vote strictly according to who won the majority of their district's votes. C) selected by state parties, usually as a reward for faithful service to the party over the years. D) a bipartisan group of political scientists, public officials, jurists, and other respected individuals chosen by the governor of each state. E) selected by state legislatures well in advance of the presidential election, and each elector votes his or her own conscience as to who would be the best president.

15) If no candidate receives an electoral college majority, A) a runoff election is held nationwide between the top two vote-getters. B) the candidate with the plurality of electoral votes is automatically elected. C) the House of Representatives chooses among the top three electoral vote winners. D) the electoral college takes a second ballot between the top two vote-getters, and the candidate who wins the majority is elected. E) Congress is free to elect the president.

16) Except in Maine and Nebraska, the electoral college system operates in each state on the principle of allocating electoral votes on the basis of A) winner-take-all. B) proportional representation. C) allocating electoral votes based on the winner in each congressional district. D) a mixture of winner-take-all and proportional representation. E) majority rule.

17) If a presidential candidate does not receive a majority of electoral college votes, then the president is chosen A) by popular vote. B) by the Justices of the Supreme Court. C) by the House with one vote for each state. D) by the Senate with two votes for each state. E) by majority vote of the entire Congress in a joint session.

13) Which of the following is TRUE about the electoral college? A) On very rare occasions, an elector has voted differently from the popular vote winner of his state. B) It is scheduled to be phased out in 2006, though some still argue its usefulness and want to rescind the phase-out. C) It is used in nearly half of the democratic nations around the world. D) An elector has never voted differently from the popular vote winner of his state. E) none of the above

14) As provided in the Constitution, how are electoral votes allocated for each state? A) Each state has as many electoral votes as it has members in the House of Representatives. B) Each state has as many electoral votes as it has members in both the House and the Senate. C) Each state has as many electoral votes as it has members in the Senate. D) Each state is proportioned to their population, with all states having at least one vote. E) Each state casts two electoral votes.

16) Which of the following statements about the electoral college is FALSE? A) Each state has as many electoral votes as it has United States senators and representatives. B) Every state has a winner-take-all system where electors vote as a bloc for the winner. C) Electors meet in their states in December and mail their votes to the vice president. D) If no candidate receives an electoral majority, then the election is thrown into the House of Representatives. E) Some states have a winner take all system where electors vote as a bloc for the winner.

17) Which is FALSE regarding the electoral college? A) Whoever wins the most votes in the electoral college wins, even if that isn't a majority. B) Maine and Nebraska do not use the "winner- take-all" system. C) Electors can vote for whomever they want, regardless of how their state's voters voted. D) In most states ALL the electors vote for whomever won the most votes in their state, even if that wasn't a majority. E) The electors themselves are selected by state parties.

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Voting Age Race Income Amendments- 15, 19, 23, 24, 26

Voter Registration Age – % – % – % – % Race/Ethnicity – White % – Black % – Hispanic—53%

Why is voter turnout so low? Too busy 20% Illness 15% Not interested 11% Out of Town 9% Didn’t like candidates 10% Don’t know 10% Registration Problems 7%

Ballot Measures Initiative – Citizens propose legislation or constitutional amendments for electorate to vote on Referendum – Legislature submits proposed legislation for electorate to vote on