1.
The electoral college was established in
Correct Answer
B. B.) 1787
Explanation
The correct answer is B.) 1787. The electoral college was established in 1787 as part of the United States Constitution. It was created as a compromise between those who wanted the President to be elected by Congress and those who wanted the President to be elected by popular vote. The electoral college is made up of electors from each state who cast their votes for President based on the popular vote in their state. This system allows for a balance of power between the states and ensures that smaller states have a voice in the election process.
2.
Why did the founding fathers not want citizens to elect the president by popular vote?
Correct Answer
C. C.) They believed a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power.
Explanation
The founding fathers did not want citizens to elect the president by popular vote because they believed that a tyrant could manipulate public opinion and come to power. They wanted to avoid the possibility of a demagogue or someone with malicious intentions gaining control over the country by appealing to the emotions and biases of the majority. Instead, they established the Electoral College system as a safeguard, where electors chosen by each state would ultimately decide the president, providing a buffer between the people and the presidency.
3.
Each state has the same number of votes as they have representative in Congress, plus the number of senators.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that according to the United States Constitution, each state is allocated a number of electoral votes equal to the total number of their representatives in the House of Representatives, plus their two senators. This means that the number of electoral votes a state has is directly proportional to its population and representation in Congress. Therefore, each state does indeed have the same number of votes as they have representatives in Congress, plus the number of senators.
4.
A states Congressional delegation is determined by its
Correct Answer
C. C.) Population
Explanation
A state's Congressional delegation is determined by its population because the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives is based on its population. Each state is guaranteed at least one seat, but additional seats are allocated based on population size. This ensures that states with larger populations have more representation in Congress, reflecting the principle of "one person, one vote." By linking representation to population, the system aims to ensure fair and proportional representation for all citizens.
5.
There are how many votes total?
Correct Answer
A. A.) 535, plus 3 for the District of Columbia.
Explanation
The correct answer is A.) 535, plus 3 for the District of Columbia. This is because there are 535 members in the United States Congress, with 100 Senators and 435 Representatives. Additionally, the District of Columbia is granted 3 electoral votes. Therefore, the total number of votes is 535 + 3, which equals 538.
6.
What 2 states do not follow the winner-takes-all method of electoral votes?
Correct Answer
B. B.) Maine and Nebraska
Explanation
Maine and Nebraska do not follow the winner-takes-all method of electoral votes. In these states, the electoral votes are allocated based on the winner of each congressional district, while the overall winner of the state receives the remaining two electoral votes. This system allows for a more proportional representation of the voters' preferences compared to the winner-takes-all method used in most other states.
7.
If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, Congress elects the president and vice president.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
If no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes, it means that no single candidate has received more than 50% of the total electoral votes. In this situation, according to the Constitution of the United States, the responsibility of electing the president and vice president falls on the Congress. This process is known as a contingent election, where the House of Representatives selects the president and the Senate selects the vice president. Therefore, the statement is true.
8.
It would be necessary to pass a Constitutional ammendment to change the electoral college system.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
To change the electoral college system, a Constitutional amendment would be necessary. The electoral college is outlined in the United States Constitution, specifically in Article II, Section 1. Therefore, any significant alteration to this system would require an amendment to the Constitution. This process involves a proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress or a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states.