US Elections

Put the following events of an election process in the typical order they would occur.

• Campaigning for the general election launches--including debates with the nominee of the other party, fundraising and campaign visits.

• Potential candidates annouce their intention to see a public office

• The general election happens follwed the next month by the electoral college vote.

• Primary elections and caucuses determine the final candidate for each party

• Party choices are made official at the National Party conventions

Check all that apply about

What determines who gets nominated?

• Reputation and popularity

• past political experience

• their appeal to a wide base of voters

• the vote of the executive office for each party

• media attention

Answer explanation

Nominations are influenced by reputation and popularity, past political experience, broad voter appeal, and media attention, as these factors help candidates gain visibility and support within their parties.

When it comes to selecting a vice-president, the parties and candidates are often looking for someone

• who can contribute a lot of money to the campaign

• who is very similar to the presidential nominee

• someone who can "balance the ticket"

• someone who represents the most extreme views of the party.

Answer explanation

Selecting a vice-president often involves finding someone who can "balance the ticket" by appealing to different demographics or regions, thus enhancing the overall appeal of the presidential nominee.

Any registered voter, regardless of party affiliation, can participate in the caucus meeting.

• Open primary

• Open caucus

• Closed primary

• Closed caucus

Answer explanation

An open caucus allows any registered voter to participate, regardless of their party affiliation. This distinguishes it from closed caucuses, where only registered party members can vote.

Registered party members may vote using their own party’s ballot. Unaffiliated voters are not allowed to cast a ballot.

• Open primary

• Open caucus

• Closed primary

• Semi-open primary

Answer explanation

A closed primary allows only registered party members to vote in their party's primary election, excluding unaffiliated voters. This matches the description provided, making 'Closed primary' the correct answer.

Term for day in the spring of the presidential election when the largest number of primaries are held

• Hyper Tuesday

• Super Tuesday

• Manic Monday

• wowza Wednesday

Answer explanation

The term for the day in the spring of the presidential election when the largest number of primaries are held is "Super Tuesday." This day is significant as many states hold their primaries, influencing the nomination process.

Match the following

• event where candidates meet and discuss/argue issues--often televised

• debates

• week long event to formalize a party's choice of presidential candidate. Formal voting takes place.

• Caucus

• term for a particular sector of a population--like black or white, or age or religion

• party conventions

• a meeting where local members of a political party meet to determine their choice of candidates

• primary election

• preliminary election a party uses to select its candidate for the general election.

• demographics

What is the biggest difference in campaigning for the primaries versus the general election?

• You need more money in the primaries

• You need less money for the general election

• You have to worry more about the third party candidates and their role in the process

• in the primaries, candidates must appeal to party activists and in the general to a wider base

Answer explanation

The biggest difference is that in the primaries, candidates focus on appealing to party activists, while in the general election, they must reach a broader audience to win over more voters.

The general election always takes place on the first _________________ after the first Monday in ____________on even numbered years. (Write First blank, space, second blank answer)

Answer explanation

The general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years. Therefore, the correct choices to fill in the blanks are 'Tuesday' and 'November'.

American voting behavior tends to fall into four key categories:

Match the type of voter to the best description of their thought process

• voting clearly along party lines for all offices.

• Rational Choice

• Voting based on how you think a candidate or party will perform in the future.

• Party-line Voting:

• Voting based on what is in a citizen’s best interest. Who will support the issues most important to

• Retrospective Voting

• Voting based on how a candidate or party has performed in the recent past- Should they be re-elected

• Prospective Voting