ap gov political participation test

• 538 electors (number of representatives and senators + 3 electoral votes for DC)

• electors nominated by party and chosen based on state’s popular vote

• votes in december

• candidate must obtain 270 electoral votes to win

keep current plan but gets rid of winner take all

ec votes divided based on percentage of popular vote

allows for third parties to obtain electoral votes

break the number of ec votes by each congressional district

2 remaining ec votes assigned to the winner of the popular vote

system maine and nebraska have currently

states pledge to give each electoral vote to the winner of the popular vote

all states MUST adopt this plan for it to work

ec vote increases by 102 votes (2 votes per state and DC)

winner of national popular vote receives these 102

candidate needs 321 votes to win

the candidate who wins the majority in each state wins all of that state’s electoral votes

• class

• race

• religion

• age

• location they live in

• education

• gender

based on what is in citizen’s best interest

based on how candidate or party performed in recent past

based on how you think candidate or party will perform in the future

voting clearly along party lines for all offices

open: voter may choose to participate in either primary, regardless of party

closed: voter must be registered with party to vote in primary

public meeting run by political party to select winning candidate (only really invested people go)

all money raised to support electoral candidates issues, parties, etc

regulated money contributed directly to candidates (individual limit→$3300 per candidate per election cycle)

traditional pac-may contribute $5000 to individual candidate(s)

spent on party activities, looser restrictions

super pacs-spend as much as they want, but can’t donate DIRECTLY to candidate or party

argued the bipartisan campaign reform act’s regulations violate the 1st amendment, since this corporation wanted to make a film about whether Hilary Clinton would make a good president

ruled corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections can’t be limited

law amending the federal election campaign act of 1971, regulates financing of political campaigns

negative → sources are unregulated (esp social media), biased, and untrustworthy

an organized group of citizens whose goal is to shape public policy towards a particular end

• 15th - no restrictions on race

• 19th - no restrictions on gender

• 23rd - dc residents can vote in presidential elections

• 24th - poll taxes removed

• 26th - establishes set age of 18

• voting rights act of 1965 - abolished literary tests and other barriers not allowing non-white people to vote

the sense that citizens have the capacity to understand and influence political events

connect citizens to the government

focus on polls, highlighting who is ahead rather than key issues

short clips of someone speaking, only lasting a matter of seconds

based on comprehensive set of beliefs, like the major parties (ex. libertarian or green parties)

focused on one policy matter (ex. right to life party)

rooted in periods of economic discontent (ex. greenback party → wanted paper money)

party split from major party (ex. progressive “bull moose” party

increase selective attention- people listen to sources that say what they want to hear

algorithms ensure people only hear one side of the political issues (depending on what they like/click on)

increase in less professionalism in how candidates communicate with citizens (think of trump’s twitter)

argument for a strong executive leader, since energy in the executive is essential, as it protects the community from foreign attacks, steadily administers laws, protects property, and secures liberty and justice.

single executive → safer, less difference in opinions will weaken respect and authority and can be watched closer by the people

checks and balances are necessary to control abuse by the government → the people must govern the government to ensure leaders take accountability

each branch’s power checks that of the others and each is dependent on the people who provide legitimate authority → government can check the power of factions

checks and balances preserve liberty by ensuring justice

executive power → president

• 4 year terms

• natural born citizen

• 35 years old

• 14 years residency

powers

• make treaties (if 2/3 of senate concur)

• nominate and appoint people to office (advice and consent of senate)

• state of union

• commander in chief

  • requires opinion of leaders of departments

set up electoral college

vice president-takes over if president dies or can’t be in office

president, vice president, and civil officers can be removed on impeachment for treason, bribery, and other high crimes and misdemeanors