Political Landscape in the United States

What effect does the majority vote requirement have on the political landscape in the United States?

• It encourages the formation of multiple political parties

• It promotes a more diverse range of candidates

• It strengthens the dominance of the two-party system

• It leads to a rotation of power between different parties

The slate of electors chosen from each state to cast the vote in the presidential election are chosen by (a)  

• Governor appoints the electors
• the electors are the senators and c
• the electors are chosen by politica
• the electors are chosen by popular vote

According to Drutman (2018), how does single-member plurality voting contribute to the United States having a two-party system?

• A) In single-member plurality voting, all seats for a particular state in the House of Representatives are dedicated to whichever party receives a plurality of votes in House elections across the state; the high stakes lead people to vote for Republicans or Democrats, but not third parties

• B) Since only one position is up for grabs in the election, citizens contribute to the two-party system by focusing their votes on the two parties most likely to win (thus viewing small third parties as

Why is it important for presidential candidates to campaign in small states like Delaware and Rhode Island?

• To secure the popular vote in those states

• To gain support from large states like California and Texas

• To influence the outcome of the Electoral College in a close election

• To focus on swing states for a better chance of winning

Match the following statements with the correct number of electoral votes or conditions required to win the presidency.

• Higher threshold of electoral votes than the minimum required.

• at least 300 electoral votes.

• Number of electoral votes needed to win the presidency.

• a majority of the popular vote.

• Condition where the candidate wins the most votes nationwide.

• at least 26 state-level presidential elections.

• Winning a majority of individual state elections.

• at least 270 electoral votes.

Why does so much presidential campaigning occur in battleground states?

• because winning a competitive state impresses voters

• because most voters in those states are independents

• because of the largely winner-take-all electoral college system

• because those states receive the most media coverage

The primary method by which Presidents and Vice Presidents are chosen in the United States is (a)  

• Direct popular vote by citizens
• State representation in the Elector
• Appointment by Congress
• Selection by the Supreme Court

What is a major reason that minor parties or third parties have difficulty competing and winning in the United States? Question options:

• The electoral rules make it difficult for third parties to gain access to the ballot in states.

• Third parties are well funded but lack a following.

• Third-party candidates generally are too moderate.

• Third parties never have clearly defined messages.

• Third-party supporters are wealthier.

How many electoral votes are needed to win a presidential election?

• 100

• 270

• 435

• 535

Where are presidential candidates most likely to strategically invest advertising funds?

• in states bordering states where they hold strong leads

• in nebraska and maine, which can divide their electoral votes across candidates

• in states where the other candidate holds a decisive lead

• in states that could go either way and that are populous enough to be worth winning