Exam 13: Elections and Campaigns

Which of the following best describes the current state of presidential nominating power?

What is the plurality rule? What is a single-member district? Which federal elections are typically subject to these electoral institutions? What are two important consequences of the combination of the plurality rule with single-member districts in American national politics?

A state's sales tax rate is currently 8 percent.Jose would prefer to reduce the tax rate to 7 percent.The Republican candidate running for governor proposes cutting the tax rate to 3 percent.The Democratic candidate proposes raising the tax rate to 9 percent.Jose votes for the Republican because both he and that party's candidate favor tax cuts.Jose's behavior is most consistent with which model of voting?

Which model of voting emphasizes the role of a citizen's psychological attachment to a political party in shaping the way she responds to political information and makes voting decisions?

What distinguishes a ballot initiative from a referendum?

In 2012,voters in Maine voted at the ballot box to allow same-sex couples to legally marry,as the result of a petition brought by interested citizens.The result of the vote was that the state began to issue marriage certificates to same-sex couples following certification of the ballot results.What type of direct democracy best describes the events in Maine?

Ned and Jaime are registered voters going to vote in a Democratic primary.Ned is a registered Democrat,while Jaime is a registered Independent.In what primary system will both Ned and Jaime be able to vote?

Marc is a Democratic candidate running for State Senate in Louisiana,a state that uses a majority rule-based electoral system.How much of the vote would Marc need to receive to avoid a runoff and win the election?

Which federal agency is responsible for regulating campaign contributions to and spending by candidates for Congress and the presidency?

What level of government operates and regulates all American elections?

Pravarti is concerned about a period of economic trouble.She observes that the current president has successfully enacted several policies designed to catalyze economic growth;yet,the country's economy has grown very slowly and may be headed for another recession.She decides to vote against the incumbent president's party in the next election.Pravarti's behavior is most consistent with which model of voting?

Which electoral rule governs the election of the president and vice president by the electoral college?

A voter who casts a ballot for the candidates of one party for some offices and the candidates of another party for other offices has submitted a/an ____________________ ballot.

In 2006,Markos Moulitsas,a prominent liberal blogger and founder of Daily Kos,endorsed Jon Tester,at the time a State Senator,for the United States Senate election in Montana.Moulitsas focused extensive energy on Tester in the primary and general election,which helped his national profile and contributed to Tester's eventual victory.In terms of elections (and in terms of Jon Tester),what term best describes Moulitsas's actions?

Americans for a Better Tomorrow,Tomorrow was a political organization created by satirist Stephen Colbert to spend money raised from individuals,corporations,and unions using the rules created from Citizens United v.FEC (2010).As such,he could not collaborate with any candidate,and in fact had to turn power over the organization over to Jon Stewart when Colbert himself became a candidate for office.What term best describes Americans for a Better Tomorrow,Tomorrow?

Compare and contrast initiatives and referendums.How are these two forms of direct democracy different? Who are the main agenda setters in each case? What effect does direct democracy have on policy? What are the main arguments for and against the utility of direct democracy?

Which type of contributions are typically subject to regulation by the Federal Election Commission?

How many votes must a candidate receive to win an election under a plurality rule?

What group is the primary agenda setter on referendums?

Miguel,Tammy,and Hyeran run against one another for class president.Each student in the class is allowed to cast a ballot indicating only his or her top choice for the office.Miguel receives 10 votes,Tammy receives 8 votes,and Hyeran receives 5 votes.Under which electoral rule would Miguel be declared the winner without requiring a runoff election?