Our Democracy (Notes)

How are representatives elected?

By a majority vote of constituents at state and federal levels.

How is the U.S. president elected?

Through the Electoral College not by direct popular vote.

What does the Electoral College do?

It casts the official votes to elect the president.

How are electors chosen?

By states based on the number of House reps plus two senators.

What is the minimum number of electors a state can have?

Three.

What did the 12th Amendment change?

Established that president and vice president run together on one ticket.

What are presidential primaries?

Elections to help parties choose their candidates.

What is the National Convention?

Each party’s formal meeting to nominate their presidential candidate.

What is "winner take all" in elections?

The candidate who wins a state’s vote gets all its electoral votes.

How many electoral votes are needed to win the presidency?

270.

What is a common criticism of the Electoral College?

Candidates can win the presidency without winning the popular vote.

What are swing states?

States where both parties have strong support and are highly contested.

Why do small states have more influence per voter?

They have a minimum of 3 electoral votes regardless of population.

What role does individual participation play in democracy?

Voting attending debates and staying informed help sustain democracy.

What are political parties?

Groups that nominate candidates and define issue platforms.

What is the two-party system?

A system dominated by Democrats and Republicans.

What are third parties?

Smaller political groups that influence issues but rarely win major elections.

What are special interest groups?

Organizations that advocate for specific causes or policies.

What is lobbying?

Trying to persuade lawmakers to pass favorable laws.

What is a PAC?

A Political Action Committee that raises money for candidates.

What are super PACs?

PACs with no donation limits due to the Citizens United decision.

What is dark money?

Political donations to nonprofits that don't have to disclose donors.

How does media influence politics?

By shaping public opinion and prioritizing issues.

What does freedom of the press do?

Allows media to report freely and hold government accountable.

What is political culture?

The shared beliefs that shape a nation's political behavior.

What is franking privilege?

Free mail for incumbent members of Congress to contact constituents.

What is issue voting?

Voting based on policies not party affiliation.

What is party voting?

Voting for a party regardless of candidate specifics.

What is split-ticket voting?

Voting for candidates of different parties on the same ballot.

What is tactical voting?

Voting to prevent a least-desired outcome rather than for a top choice.

What is advocacy journalism?

Reporting that openly supports a specific viewpoint.

What is preventative journalism?

Coverage that highlights issues early without taking sides.

What is embedded journalism?

When journalists report from within the groups or events they cover.

What is muckraking?

Investigative journalism that exposes corruption.

What is slander?

False spoken statements that harm a person’s reputation.

What is opposition research?

Collecting information about political opponents for use in campaigns.

What is a party platform?

A set of issues and policies supported by a political party.