Gov Exam 2 MMHS

What term describes several parties that combine forces to obtain a majority in a multi-party system of government?

Coalition Government

What is an example of an obstacle to third party success?

All answers are correct

Who founded the splinter party, named the Bull Moose Party, in 1912?

Theodore Roosevelt

What term describes basic beliefs about things such as government?

Ideologies

What is the political concept that states that several officials are elected to represent voters in an area called?

Proportional representation

What is the political concept that states that no matter how many candidates complete for an elected office, only one will win?

Single-member districts

What term describes a government dominated by religion?

Theocracy

What term describes a group of people with broad common interests who organize to win elections, control government and influence government policies?

A political party

What is an example of a third party?

All answers are correct

What is an example of a major political party in United States politics?

All answers are correct

What do political parties look for when they recruit candidates?

Someone who can win elections

What is the gathering of state and local party members every four years called?

A national convention

What is a political volunteer who organizes party workers to distribute information about the party and its candidates at the precinct level?

Precinct Captain

What are favors that are given to loyal party members called?

Patronage

What is the term for adjoining precincts that are gathered together to comprise a larger district?

A ward

Who runs a political party between conventions?

The national committee

What is the most important component of a political party at the state level?

The state central committee

What term describes a voter who does not support any particular party?

Independent

How do political parties educate the public about issues?

All answers are correct

What is a basic political unit called?

Precinct

What kind of primary only allows members of the same party to vote?

Closed primary

What term describes party members choosing the people that run in a general elections?

Direct primary

What are the individual parts of a political party's platform called?

Planks

What is the term for the candidates a political party chooses for president and vice-president at a national convention?

The ticket

What are powerful political leaders called?

Bosses

What kind of election is held if a candidate does not get a majority of the votes in an election?

Runoff primary

What is the statement of a political party's beliefs, principles, and positions on vital issues called?

Platform

What is it called when a candidate needs to get more votes than anyone else running to win an election?

Plurality

What kinds of meetings do political parties hold?

Caucuses, nominating conventions

What kind of primary allows all voters to vote?

Open primary

Who is responsible for planning and creating strategy for a presidential campaign?

The campaign manager

What is a mental picture voters have of a candidate called?

Image

What percentage of votes does a third party candidate need to qualify for federal funding in the next presidential election?

5%

What is money raised by political parties for general purposes, not specific candidates called?

Soft money

What agency is responsible for monitoring all political contributions over $100?

The Federal Election Commission

What state has the most Electoral College votes (55)?

California

How many electoral votes does it take to win the presidency?

270

What term describes organizations designed to support political candidates with campaign contributions?

Political Action Committees

What day is Election Day for the President?

The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November

What did the McCain-Feingold bill ban?

The use of soft money in federal campaigns

What kind of test did southern states use to exclude African American voters?

Literacy test

What amendment granted woman's suffrage?

19

What amendment establishes the voting age in the United States?

26

What is the term for charging a fee to vote in elections?

Poll tax

What was an example of early exclusion on voting in the colonies?

All answers are correct

What is the legal voting age in the United States?

18

What amendment guarantees the right to vote regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude?

15

What was it called when southern states allowed people to vote without a poll tax because their grandfather voted?

The grandfather clause

What term describes the right to vote?

Suffrage

What act of Congress eliminated most obstacles to suffrage?

The 1965 Voting Rights Act

What is an example of a personal background of a voter that can influence voting?

All answers are correct

What term describes a voter who is caught between conflicting elements in their own life?

A cross-pressured voter

What term describes voters who do not consider themselves Democrats or Republicans?

Independent voters

How does income affect voter regularity?

People with higher incomes vote most frequently

What is a common reason for not voting?

All answers are correct

What age group has the highest voter turnout?

35-55

What term describes a voter who only selects candidates from their own party?

Straight-party ticket voting

What was an example of an issue having an impact on a presidential election?

Ronald Regan asking during an economic recession, "Are you better off now than you were 4 years ago?"

What is a major factor in voter decision?

All answers are correct

What term describes the use of ideas, information, or rumors to influence opinion?

Propaganda