1. Government Final Exam Review
Unit 2: Political Parties and Elections

2. Question 1 Describe the Republican Party platform. Lower taxes
Less government spending
Support of traditional marriage between a man and a woman
Strengthen security along the U.S./Mexico border

3. Question 2
What parts of the country typically support the Republican Party?
The South and Great Plains regions
Rural areas

4. Question 3 Describe the Democratic Party platform
Increased funding for education
Support of a pathway to citizenship for those here illegally
Higher taxes on the wealthy
Have background checks conducted on anyone who wants to buy a firearm

5. Question 4
What parts of the country typically support the Democratic Party?
Great Lakes, East, and West Coasts regions
Urban areas

6. Question 5
Explain the reasons why many Americans do not vote in elections
Many voters are uninformed on the candidates and the issues
Many voters do not trust the government to do what is best for them
Many voters think that their vote doesn’t matter

7. Question 6 List the qualifications needed to be eligible to vote.
at least 18 years of age or older
be a permanent resident of the state that they live in
must be an American citizen

8. Question 7
Describe the process of preclearance as it is described in the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
All changes to voting laws needed to be approved by the federal government
This was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2012

9. Question 8 How does the news media impact politics?
It selects certain issues and perspectives to discuss on the air.

10. Question 9
Explain the role of interest groups in the political process
Interest groups try to influence the passage of new laws

11. Question 10 Describe the characteristics of Super PACs
They can raise an unlimited amount of money
They can spend an unlimited amount of money
They cannot work directly with political parties or candidates

12. Question 11
Explain the impact of third parties on presidential elections
They can take votes from a candidate of a major party, causing that candidate to lose the election