Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. The Electoral College Process 1. According to the diagram, what is Congress s role in the Electoral College process? a. On election day, Congress assigns a slate of electors to each presidential candidate. b. Congress is chosen by the Electoral College. c. On January 6, Congress counts the electoral votes. d. Congress casts electoral ballots for president. 2. According to the diagram, on a Tuesday in November, a. the Electoral College meets for the first time. b. voters cast ballots for a slate of electors pledged to a presidential candidate. c. the nature of fair elections d. electors meet in their state capital to cast their votes for president and vice president. 3. To win the election, a presidential candidate must receive a. more electoral votes than any other candidate. b. a majority of the electoral votes. c. all the electoral votes. d. the most popular votes, as well as the most electoral votes. 4. In order to register to vote, you must be able to prove your Powered by Cognero Page 1
a. age. b. lack of a criminal record. c. party preference. d. residency. 5. The description of a political party s position on election issues is called a a. plank. b. deck. c. platform. d. caucus. 6. In many states, people who will be traveling on Election Day may vote a. at a different polling place. b. up to a week after Election Day. c. the day after Election Day. d. by absentee ballot or early voting. 7. Which of the following countries is governed by a one-party system? a. Germany b. Israel c. China d. Canada 8. In which type of election do voters choose a party s candidates for the general election? a. special election b. national election c. primary election d. local election 9. What is the topic of James s statement? a. the importance of political involvement b. the need for national security c. the lack of campaign reform Powered by Cognero Page 2
d. the importance of the two-party system 10. Which of the following statements BEST summarizes James s words? a. Improving and maintaining civilization is the responsibility of elected officials. b. Opening a country s borders to foreigners is civilization s best hope. c. Citizens have the power and the responsibility to monitor government actions. d. Government has the right and the responsibility to identify dangerous people. 11. In the United States, third parties are also called minor parties because they a. influence government policies. b. support independent candidates. c. have never won a presidential election. d. draw attention to social issues. 12. Which group writes a party s platform at its national convention? a. local caucus members b. ward leaders c. delegates d. Senate campaign committee members 13. To win a primary election in most states, a candidate must receive a a. petition from qualified voters. b. ballot recommendation. c. plurality of the votes. d. majority of the votes. 14. The amendment that lowered the voting age to 18 was the a. Twenty-seventh. b. Twenty-sixth. c. Eighteenth. d. Fourteenth. 15. Which of the following would not be allowed to vote? a. a college student b. a retired person c. a newly arrived immigrant d. a person who just moved to a state 16. By reading a party platform, you can learn about the party s a. beliefs and positions on election issues. b. plans for the national convention. c. budget for campaign spending. d. campaign strategies for the coming election. Powered by Cognero Page 3
17. How does a candidate who is not a Democrat or a Republican get his or her name on the ballot for a general election? a. join a caucus b. submit a petition c. form a political party d. seek help from a political machine 18. A breakaway group of Democrats and Whigs formed the Republican Party in 1854 because they tended to a. favor eight-hour workdays. b. oppose slavery. c. support state s rights. d. oppose the Federalists. 19. One major reason people do not vote is because they a. do not want to serve in government. b. cannot take time off work. c. do not have Internet access. d. fail to register. 20. Thomas Jefferson believed that strong state governments would protect individual rights better than a strong national government because states are a. easier to manage. b. closer to the citizens. c. more likely to tax. d. less expensive to operate. 21. Which of the following actions is a party supporter most likely to do on election day? a. help make sure other party supporters go to the polls b. help write the party platform c. sign a petition to nominate a candidate d. donate money to a candidate 22. In the case Bush v. Gore, the Supreme Court a. ruled unanimously in favor of George W. Bush b. ordered the recounting of votes to stop. c. ordered an end to the use of punch-card ballots. d. sided with the state of Florida. Powered by Cognero Page 4
Answer Key 1. c 2. b 3. b 4. a 5. c 6. d 7. c 8. c 9. a 10. c 11. c 12. c 13. c 14. b 15. c 16. a 17. b 18. b 19. d 20. b 21. a 22. b Powered by Cognero Page 5