Question 1

Which of the following is NOT true about proportional representation systems?

Accepted Answer

A) They more accurately reveal the division of voter preferences than do winner-take all systems. 
B) They may encourage voter turnout, particularly among people who identify with parties that don't typically win elections. 
C) They may encourage issue-oriented campaigns. 
D) They may enhance representation of women and minorities. 
E) They encourage the formation of two ideologically moderate political parties. 
A) They more accurately reveal the division of voter preferences than do winner-take all systems. 
B) They may encourage voter turnout, particularly among people who identify with parties that don't typically win elections. 
C) They may encourage issue-oriented campaigns. 
D) They may enhance representation of women and minorities. 
E) They encourage the formation of two ideologically moderate political parties. E

Question 2

According to your text, the first step for would-be challengers in House elections is to

Accepted Answer

A) gain visibility. 
B) build a personal organization. 
C) initiate voter registration campaigns. 
D) collect financial contributions. 
E) schedule debates with opponents. 
A) gain visibility. 
B) build a personal organization. 
C) initiate voter registration campaigns. 
D) collect financial contributions. 
E) schedule debates with opponents. D

Question 3

An election with no incumbent running is called

Accepted Answer

A) a toss-up. 
B) gerrymandering. 
C) party polling. 
D) an open seat. 
E) a referendum. 
A) a toss-up. 
B) gerrymandering. 
C) party polling. 
D) an open seat. 
E) a referendum. D

Question 4

Maine and Nebraska have a district system in which the candidate who carries each congressional district gets that electoral vote and the candidate who carries the state gets the state's two additional electoral votes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

One concern that observers of American politics have in regard to politicians' dependence on campaign contributions is political corruption.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins is called

Accepted Answer

A) first-to-the-backstretch. 
B) proportional representation. 
C) direct voting. 
D) winner-take-all. 
E) multimember districts. 
A) first-to-the-backstretch. 
B) proportional representation. 
C) direct voting. 
D) winner-take-all. 
E) multimember districts.

Question 7

Hard money is money contributed to candidates that is specifically committed to electoral activity by that candidate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

The coattail effect refers to the boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of presidential candidates from their party.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Presidential primaries often have two features: a "beauty contest" and actual voting.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

When running for the House of Representatives, a candidate's main hurdle is gaining

Accepted Answer

A) ballot access. 
B) coalition support. 
C) signs. 
D) support from his or her family. 
E) visibility. 
A) ballot access. 
B) coalition support. 
C) signs. 
D) support from his or her family. 
E) visibility.

Question 11

Money spent by individuals or groups NOT associated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office is known as

Accepted Answer

A) hard money. 
B) self-financing. 
C) outside intervention. 
D) independent expenditures. 
E) soft money. 
A) hard money. 
B) self-financing. 
C) outside intervention. 
D) independent expenditures. 
E) soft money.

Question 12

Loopholes in federal law regarding soft money and issue advocacy led to the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Concern about campaign finance stems from the possibility that candidates will decide that it is more important to represent their contributors than the voters.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The state that has a system in which the candidate who carries each congressional district gets that electoral vote is

Accepted Answer

A) Maine. 
B) New Jersey. 
C) California. 
D) Florida. 
E) Iowa. 
A) Maine. 
B) New Jersey. 
C) California. 
D) Florida. 
E) Iowa.

Question 15

An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) automatic office. 
B) safe seat. 
C) party lock. 
D) uncontested election. 
E) incumbent assurance. 
A) automatic office. 
B) safe seat. 
C) party lock. 
D) uncontested election. 
E) incumbent assurance.

Question 16

Which of the following statements is NOT true about elections and voting in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A) The United States has elections more often and for more offices than any other democracy. 
B) Voters in most states are permitted to vote on measures placed on ballots through petitions. 
C) Election outcomes never have any policy consequences. 
D) Changes in state constitutions must be approved by the voters in all states except Delaware. 
E) There are about half a million elected state and local officials. 
A) The United States has elections more often and for more offices than any other democracy. 
B) Voters in most states are permitted to vote on measures placed on ballots through petitions. 
C) Election outcomes never have any policy consequences. 
D) Changes in state constitutions must be approved by the voters in all states except Delaware. 
E) There are about half a million elected state and local officials.

Question 17

The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate, such as his or her strengths, weaknesses, background, experience, and visibility is known as

Accepted Answer

A) candidate appeal. 
B) the incumbency advantage. 
C) party platforms. 
D) issue-oriented voting. 
E) the cult of personality. 
A) candidate appeal. 
B) the incumbency advantage. 
C) party platforms. 
D) issue-oriented voting. 
E) the cult of personality.

Question 18

Interest groups and parties direct more money to competitive races in large states because their campaign dollars have a greater potential impact.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

When a presidential election goes to the House of Representatives, each state gets a number of votes equal to the number of members from that state.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

The reelection rate of House incumbents

Accepted Answer

A) reached a high in 1964. 
B) is typically over 80%. 
C) reached its low point in 1932. 
D) is less than 60% in most elections. 
E) usually averages about 40%. 
A) reached a high in 1964. 
B) is typically over 80%. 
C) reached its low point in 1932. 
D) is less than 60% in most elections. 
E) usually averages about 40%.

Exam 9: Campaigns and Elections

Which of the following is NOT true about proportional representation systems?

According to your text, the first step for would-be challengers in House elections is to

An election with no incumbent running is called

Maine and Nebraska have a district system in which the candidate who carries each congressional district gets that electoral vote and the candidate who carries the state gets the state's two additional electoral votes.

One concern that observers of American politics have in regard to politicians' dependence on campaign contributions is political corruption.

An election system in which the candidate with the most votes wins is called

Hard money is money contributed to candidates that is specifically committed to electoral activity by that candidate.

The coattail effect refers to the boost that candidates may get in an election because of the popularity of presidential candidates from their party.

Presidential primaries often have two features: a "beauty contest" and actual voting.

When running for the House of Representatives, a candidate's main hurdle is gaining

Money spent by individuals or groups NOT associated with candidates to elect or defeat candidates for office is known as

Loopholes in federal law regarding soft money and issue advocacy led to the passage of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Concern about campaign finance stems from the possibility that candidates will decide that it is more important to represent their contributors than the voters.

The state that has a system in which the candidate who carries each congressional district gets that electoral vote is

An elected office that is predictably won by one party or the other is known as a(n)

Which of the following statements is NOT true about elections and voting in the United States?

The tendency in elections to focus on the personal attributes of a candidate, such as his or her strengths, weaknesses, background, experience, and visibility is known as

Interest groups and parties direct more money to competitive races in large states because their campaign dollars have a greater potential impact.

When a presidential election goes to the House of Representatives, each state gets a number of votes equal to the number of members from that state.

The reelection rate of House incumbents

Constitutional Democracy

Constitutional Foundations

American Federalism

Political Culture and Ideology

The US political Landscape

Political Parties

Public Opinion, Participation, and Voting

The Media and US politics

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Policy

Making Economic Policy

Making Social Policy

Making Foreign Defense Policy

State and Local Politics

State Constitutions

Parties and Elections in the States

State Legislatures

State Governors

Judges and Justice in the States

Local Governments and Metropolitics

Making State and Local Policy

Staffing and Financing State and Local Governments

Filters