the electoral college Flashcards
civics (16 cards)
Primary Election
An election where political parties select their nominees for the general election.
General Election
The election in which voters choose among candidates from different parties to determine who will hold public office.
Electoral Votes
The votes cast by electors in the Electoral College, determining the winner of the presidential election.
How many votes are needed to win the presidency?
270
Where do parties nominate candidates for president and vice president?
At the national party conventions.
Name two candidates from the first televised presidential election.
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon (1960 election).
What purpose do political parties serve?
They organize candidates, mobilize voters, develop policies, and govern.
What protections do voters receive under the Constitution?
15th Amendment (race), 19th Amendment (gender), 26th Amendment (age), and Voting Rights Act of 1965 (racial discrimination protection).
Why did the founders set up the Electoral College?
To balance state representation and prevent direct popular election from leading to mob rule.
Does an elector have to follow the popular vote?
In some states, yes, but in others, electors can vote freely.
Why was the Electoral College created?
To create a compromise between electing the president by Congress and direct popular vote.
What is the significance of the number 538?
The total number of Electoral College votes (435 Representatives + 100 Senators + 3 for D.C.).
States with the TOP 5 number of Electoral Votes:
California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania.
Who follows the Winner-Takes-All policy in the Electoral College?
48 states and D.C. (except Maine & Nebraska, which use a district system).
Why would someone want to abolish the Electoral College?
It can allow a candidate to win the presidency without winning the popular vote and gives more weight to small swing states.
Is it possible to win the presidency without winning the popular vote? How?
Yes, by winning enough states with small margins to secure 270+ electoral votes, even if the opponent wins more total votes nationwide (happened in 2000, 2016).
