AP Government

Chapter 9 questions

Campaigns and Elections: Democracy in Action

Name

  1. Explain the significance of the 2000 elections concerning political apathy.

ELECTIONS: THE RULES OF THE GAME

  1. Describe the points of origin for the election rules of the United States.
  1. Explain the uniqueness of the U.S.’s elections in comparison to elections held elsewhere.
  1. Explain how Senators may run for the Presidential election, and also continue to hold their Senate seat. (Kerry did so in 2000).
  1. Explain the advantage/disadvantage of the winner-take-all and single-member district.
  1. Explain how delegates to the electoral college are chosen. Describe the “faithless elector.”
  2. Describe situations in which the Presidential votes moved to the House.
  1. Explain a possible flaw within the electoral college system concerning third party votes.

RUNNING FOR CONGRESS

  1. Explain what happens when “presidential landslides” occur (president wins easily).
  1. List and explain the steps of trying to win a House election. Explain the significance of money in these elections. (in “mounting a primary campaign” and “campaigning for the general election.”
  1. Explain the significance and privileges of House incumbents.
  1. Compare running for the House vs. the Senate.

RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT

  1. Explain the significance/or lack of significance of federal funds in the nomination phase of the presidential election.
  1. List and explain the significance of the winter-take-all and proportional representation methods.
  1. Explain the significance of the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, and the purpose of “frontloading.”
  1. Explain the impact that caucuses have on how candidates portray themselves for primary elections.
  1. xplain the significance of the party platform.

18. Explain the importance of selecting the vice-presidential candidate.

  1. Describe an alternative way to getting your name on the ballot.

MONEY IN US ELECTIONS

20. List the ways in which reformers have tried to prevent abuse in political contributions.

21. Explain the significance of Buckley v. Valeo.

  1. Describe the one case in which the BCRA does not limit soft money.

**Nice list on pg. 238 of “What the BCRA Does.”

  1. Explain the significance of issue advocacy and 527 organizations on campaigns.
  1. Explain the advantage of large amounts of individual wealth on campaigns.
  1. Explain the significance of independent expenditures on campaigns.
  1. Explain the problems with campaign finance and those who challenge the incumbents.

IMPROVING ELECTIONS

  1. List the major concerns with our current election process.
  1. List and explain some of the possible solutions, or proposed solutions to the flaws in the election system.
  1. Explain ideas for reforming the electoral college.
  1. Explain ideas of reforming how people vote.