Question 1

Explain what factors contribute to voter turnout.Why is it that citizens in a democracy today would choose not to exercise their franchise?

Accepted Answer

There are several factors that contribute to voter turnout, including the convenience of voting, the competitiveness of the election, the perceived importance of the election, and the effectiveness of voter mobilization efforts.

Citizens in a democracy today may choose not to exercise their franchise for a variety of reasons. Some may feel disillusioned with the political system and believe that their vote will not make a difference. Others may be too busy or face logistical barriers to voting, such as long lines at polling places or difficulty obtaining necessary identification. Additionally, some individuals may not feel informed enough about the candidates or issues to make an educated decision, while others may simply be apathetic about the political process.

Furthermore, voter suppression tactics, such as restrictive voter ID laws or gerrymandering, can also contribute to lower voter turnout by disenfranchising certain groups of citizens. Overall, the decision not to vote can be influenced by a combination of personal, systemic, and societal factors.

Question 2

Compare and contrast proportional representation and the plurality/majority systems of voting.In your view,which is the best system for Canada?

Accepted Answer

Proportional representation and the plurality/majority systems of voting are two different methods of electing representatives in a democratic system.

In a plurality/majority system, the candidate with the most votes in a single-member district wins the election. This system often leads to a two-party system, as smaller parties have a difficult time gaining representation. It can also result in a discrepancy between the percentage of votes a party receives and the percentage of seats they win in the legislature.

On the other hand, proportional representation aims to allocate seats in the legislature in proportion to the percentage of votes each party receives. This allows for a more diverse representation of political parties and can result in a more accurate reflection of the electorate's preferences. However, it can also lead to more coalition governments and potentially less stable governance.

In my view, the best system for Canada would be a mixed-member proportional representation system. This system combines elements of both proportional representation and the plurality/majority system, allowing for a balance between local representation and proportionality. It would ensure that smaller parties are not marginalized while still maintaining a connection between constituents and their elected representatives. This system has been successful in countries like Germany and New Zealand and could be a good fit for Canada's diverse political landscape.

Question 3

In a mixed-member-proportional electoral system,voters cast two ballots: one for a local candidate and another for a national list of candidates put forward by a political party.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

Suppose the percentage of votes that each party earns corresponds closely to the percentage of seats it is awarded in the legislature.Which term most accurately describes this electoral result?

Accepted Answer

A)  majority 
B)  plurality 
C)  constituency 
D)  proportionality 
A)  majority 
B)  plurality 
C)  constituency 
D)  proportionality

Question 5

The single-member-plurality electoral system has a tendency to give too much power to the majority,reward regionally concentrated parties,and contribute to wasted votes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Which electoral system provides the most accountability to the voters,and why?

Accepted Answer

The question of which electoral system p

Question 7

Which of the following countries uses a plurality/majority electoral system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Netherlands 
B)  France 
C)  Argentina 
D)  Australia 
A)  Netherlands 
B)  France 
C)  Argentina 
D)  Australia

Question 8

Which of the following electoral systems affords the MOST power to party leaders?

Accepted Answer

A)  open ballot proportional representation system 
B)  single-transferable-vote proportional representation system 
C)  closed ballot proportional representation system 
D)  mixed-member proportional system 
A)  open ballot proportional representation system 
B)  single-transferable-vote proportional representation system 
C)  closed ballot proportional representation system 
D)  mixed-member proportional system

Question 9

Outline the strengths and weaknesses of the proportional representation electoral system.

Accepted Answer

Proportional representation electoral sy

Question 10

Given the following polling results,which party is LEAST likely to elect candidate to office in a single-member-plurality system?

Accepted Answer

A)  Party A will have 39% of the popular, with supporters spread across the country 
B)  Party B will have 10 % of the popular vote, with supporters in every electoral district 
C)  Party C will have 2% of the popular vote, with supporters concentrated in two electoral ridings. 
D)  Party D will have 15% of the popular vote, with supporters coming mostly from the Eastern part of the country. 
A)  Party A will have 39% of the popular, with supporters spread across the country 
B)  Party B will have 10 % of the popular vote, with supporters in every electoral district 
C)  Party C will have 2% of the popular vote, with supporters concentrated in two electoral ridings. 
D)  Party D will have 15% of the popular vote, with supporters coming mostly from the Eastern part of the country.

Question 11

Which country uses both the list system and the single-member-plurality system together?

Accepted Answer

A)  Japan 
B)  Netherlands 
C)  Ireland 
D)  Germany 
A)  Japan 
B)  Netherlands 
C)  Ireland 
D)  Germany

Question 12

Which statement best explains why majority systems have fewer interest parties involved in the political process than proportional systems do?

Accepted Answer

A)  Majority systems are more traditional, and interest parties push for reform 
B)  Interest groups in majority systems feel that the costs of becoming a political party are greater than the potential political gains. 
C)  Coalitions are rarer in majority systems than proportional systems. 
D)  Voters in majority systems are less interested in specific issues and vote based on broad policy platforms. 
A)  Majority systems are more traditional, and interest parties push for reform 
B)  Interest groups in majority systems feel that the costs of becoming a political party are greater than the potential political gains. 
C)  Coalitions are rarer in majority systems than proportional systems. 
D)  Voters in majority systems are less interested in specific issues and vote based on broad policy platforms.

Question 13

If a voter appreciates being able to walk down to the constituency office and speak directly with his elected representative,which of the following electoral systems would he DISLIKE?

Accepted Answer

A)  mixed-member proportional system 
B)  majority-runoff system 
C)  single-transferable vote system 
D)  Single-member-plurality system 
A)  mixed-member proportional system 
B)  majority-runoff system 
C)  single-transferable vote system 
D)  Single-member-plurality system

Question 14

An electoral system that combines proportionality with constituency representation is known as the ______________ system.A country that uses this system is ___________.

Accepted Answer

mixed-memb

Question 15

The electoral system in Britain,Canada,and the United States is known as the single-member-proportionality (SMP)system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Which of the following factors is necessary in order for closed ballot proportional representation systems to increase the number of female representatives?

Accepted Answer

A)  more women must run for office in proportional representation systems than in majority systems 
B)  female candidates must be more experienced than their male counterparts 
C)  the party leader must actively support closing the gender gap in political representation 
D)  voters must support female candidates more than male candidates 
A)  more women must run for office in proportional representation systems than in majority systems 
B)  female candidates must be more experienced than their male counterparts 
C)  the party leader must actively support closing the gender gap in political representation 
D)  voters must support female candidates more than male candidates

Question 17

Which type of social cleavages can be accommodated the best in a single-member-plurality system?

Accepted Answer

A)  religious 
B)  linguistic 
C)  regional 
D)  gender 
A)  religious 
B)  linguistic 
C)  regional 
D)  gender

Question 18

What is the purpose of poll taxes?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are used to help pay for political campaigns 
B)  They are used to pay for impartial, non-partisan electoral officials 
C)  They are used to restrict the franchise to a select group of voters. 
D)  They are used to collect money from political candidates making use of polling stations. 
A)  They are used to help pay for political campaigns 
B)  They are used to pay for impartial, non-partisan electoral officials 
C)  They are used to restrict the franchise to a select group of voters. 
D)  They are used to collect money from political candidates making use of polling stations.

Question 19

Which one of the following is NOT an electoral system?

Accepted Answer

A)  single-member-plurality (SMP) 
B)  alternative (or preferential) vote (AV) 
C)  single-transferable-vote (STV) 
D)  alternative transformational vote (ATV) 
A)  single-member-plurality (SMP) 
B)  alternative (or preferential) vote (AV) 
C)  single-transferable-vote (STV) 
D)  alternative transformational vote (ATV)

Question 20

Who,out of the following examples,would be most likely to experience political alienation?

Accepted Answer

A)  someone who supports a traditionally successful party in a single-member-plurality system 
B)  someone who supports an interest party in a proportional representation system 
C)  someone who supports an interest party in a single-member-plurality system 
D)  Someone who supports an large party in a proportional representation system 
A)  someone who supports a traditionally successful party in a single-member-plurality system 
B)  someone who supports an interest party in a proportional representation system 
C)  someone who supports an interest party in a single-member-plurality system 
D)  Someone who supports an large party in a proportional representation system

Exam 25: Elections and Electoral Systems

Explain what factors contribute to voter turnout.Why is it that citizens in a democracy today would choose not to exercise their franchise?

Compare and contrast proportional representation and the plurality/majority systems of voting.In your view,which is the best system for Canada?

In a mixed-member-proportional electoral system,voters cast two ballots: one for a local candidate and another for a national list of candidates put forward by a political party.

Suppose the percentage of votes that each party earns corresponds closely to the percentage of seats it is awarded in the legislature.Which term most accurately describes this electoral result?

The single-member-plurality electoral system has a tendency to give too much power to the majority,reward regionally concentrated parties,and contribute to wasted votes.

Which electoral system provides the most accountability to the voters,and why?

Which of the following countries uses a plurality/majority electoral system?

Which of the following electoral systems affords the MOST power to party leaders?

Outline the strengths and weaknesses of the proportional representation electoral system.

Given the following polling results,which party is LEAST likely to elect candidate to office in a single-member-plurality system?

Which country uses both the list system and the single-member-plurality system together?

Which statement best explains why majority systems have fewer interest parties involved in the political process than proportional systems do?

If a voter appreciates being able to walk down to the constituency office and speak directly with his elected representative,which of the following electoral systems would he DISLIKE?

An electoral system that combines proportionality with constituency representation is known as the ______________ system.A country that uses this system is ___________.

The electoral system in Britain,Canada,and the United States is known as the single-member-proportionality (SMP)system.

Which of the following factors is necessary in order for closed ballot proportional representation systems to increase the number of female representatives?

Which type of social cleavages can be accommodated the best in a single-member-plurality system?

What is the purpose of poll taxes?

Which one of the following is NOT an electoral system?

Who,out of the following examples,would be most likely to experience political alienation?

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An electoral system that combines proportionality with constituency representation is known as the ____ system.A country that uses this system is _.