Unit 3 -congressional Elections And Direct Democracy

Question 1

What happened in 2016 which challenges incumbency

Answer 1

Democrat congresswoman Tammy duckworth beat republican incumbent mark kirk

Question 2

In 2014 national exit polls 45% of people cited what as their main concern

Answer 2

The economy

Question 3

What is one thing the republicans promised when negatively campaigning against Obama in the 2014 midterms

Answer 3

Promise to repeal health care reform act

Question 4

What was the 2014 mid term election turnout

Answer 4

36.3%

Question 5

What was the midterm youth vote decrease from 2012 to 2014

Answer 5

19% votes in 2012

13% votes in 2014

Question 6

A vote by a resident in ______ counts four times as much as one in _________
Full in the blank

Answer 6

Wyoming

California

Question 7

In 2012 which campaign spent together $100 million on tv ads in key swing state Ohio

Answer 7

Obama and Romney

Question 8

What was the amount raised by candidates in 2016 elections

Answer 8

$1.3 billion

Question 9

What was the ammount raised by SUPER PACS

Answer 9

$615 million

Question 10

What is a PAC

Answer 10

A political action committee organised for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect or defeat candidates

Question 11

How much can pacs hive to a candidate per election

Answer 11

$5,000

Question 12

What is a SUPERPAC?

Answer 12

Make independent expenditures in federal races eg running ads / sending mail

Question 13

Do superpacs make contributions to candidates or parties?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

Give an example of a SUPERPAC

Answer 14

American crossroads

Question 15

Explain citizens united vs federal election commission 2010

Answer 15

Political spending is a protected form of speech under the first amendment and the gov can not keep corporations or individuals from spending money to support or oppose candidates in elections. Corporations/unions cannot give money directly to the campaigns but they can through ads and other means of influencing the voting public
Eg super pacs

Question 16

What was the bipartisan campaign reform act 2002

Answer 16

Banned special interest groups from spending corporate or labour union money on broadcast ads that mention a candidate just prior to an election
This was ultimately overturned by citizens united 2010

Question 17

What did McConnell vs federal election commission 2003 say

Answer 17

Declared unconstitutional the laws prohibit action on minors making contributions to candidates and political parties
Allowed parents to make contributions in their child’s name

Question 18

Give examples of presidents who have adapted to new platforms meaning they thrived in elections

Answer 18

Nixon vs Kennedy first tv debate

Trump vs Hillary twitter

Question 19

Give an example of a referendum about marijuana

Answer 19

Proposition 64 legalising marijuana 
17 ballots put forward
15 by citizens signatures
2 by legislatures
California

Question 20

Give an example of a failed recall election

Answer 20

Scott Walker 2012

Republican , ppl wanted his out due to signing a austerity budget signed by Scott

Question 21

A successful recall election?

Answer 21

Gray Davis 2003
Failed to get 50% of the vote
Disliked because of Californian electrical crisis

Question 22

Give an example of an initiative

Answer 22

Proposition 8 2008

California removed the right of same sex couples to marry