Exam 13: Elections and Campaigns

A state's sales tax rate is currently 8 percent. Peter 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. Peter votes for the Democratic candidate. Peter's behavior is most consistent with which model of voting?

The theory that parties will converge to a moderate position is an extension of which argument?

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

Miguel, Tammy, and Hyeran run against one another for class president. Each student in the class casts a ballot indicating only his or her top choice for the office. Miguel receives ten votes, Tammy receives eight votes, and Hyeran receives five votes. Under which electoral rule would Miguel be declared the winner without requiring a runoff election?

What strategy of voting assumes that candidates will moderate their election arguments to win elections?

Which type of contributions are called "hard money"?

Recent research in political science demonstrates that negative ads in Senate races are most likely in ________ races.

The accountability effect assumes that the main function of elections is to ________.

What distinguishes a ballot initiative from a referendum?

________ often redraw(s) the boundaries of congressional districts after the redistribution of seats in Congress that follows each decennial census.

The accountability effect deals with what happens ________ elections, and the selection effect deals with what happens ________ elections.

According to the median voter theorem, which of the following election ideology strategies in a primary/general election system would be the most effective for a Democratic candidate for office?

________ established the precedent that expenditures on behalf of candidates but independent of them could not be regulated because the First Amendment protects them.

In 2006, Markos Moulitsas, a prominent liberal blogger and founder of Daily Kos, endorsed Jon Tester, at the time a state senator, for the U.S. 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?

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

Jack Flynt is running for reelection in the Georgia Senate race, and recent polls have him nearly 20 points ahead of his challenger. Based on recent research in political science, Senator Flynt ________.

A(n) ________ primary is one in which registered voters may participate regardless of party affiliation.

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.

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?

What is a PAC? What is a 527? What sort of relationships do PACs and 527s have with parties and candidates? How do these organizations fit into the scheme of federal campaign finance regulations?