How Well Do You Know The U.S. Elections System?

1. True or False: All U.S. citizens can register to vote online.

True

False

Online voter registration is not offered in all states. Currently, voters in 20 states—nearly half the eligible voting population—can register entirely online. Only two states offered this service in 2008.

Explanation

Online voter registration is not offered in all states. Currently, voters in 20 states—nearly half the eligible voting population—can register entirely online. Only two states offered this service in 2008.

2. What is a provisional ballot?

A ballot cast by mail

A ballot cast by a voter whose eligibility is in question

A ballot cast during a primary election

A ballot cast by someone under the age of 18

Eligibility of voters may be uncertain for a number of reasons—for example, their names do not appear on voter lists or they do not have the necessary identification. In the 2012 presidential election, states counted approximately 73 percent of the 2.7 million provisional ballots cast. During the midterm election in 2010, states counted 66 percent of nearly 1.1 million provisional ballots cast.

Explanation

Eligibility of voters may be uncertain for a number of reasons—for example, their names do not appear on voter lists or they do not have the necessary identification. In the 2012 presidential election, states counted approximately 73 percent of the 2.7 million provisional ballots cast. During the midterm election in 2010, states counted 66 percent of nearly 1.1 million provisional ballots cast.

3. True or false: My absentee ballot is not counted unless the election is close.

True

False

All properly completed absentee ballots that are returned on time are counted. Dozens of states have online lookup tools allowing voters to track the status of their absentee ballots.

Explanation

All properly completed absentee ballots that are returned on time are counted. Dozens of states have online lookup tools allowing voters to track the status of their absentee ballots.

4. What 1993 law requires state motor vehicle offices and other state agencies to register voters?

The National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act

The Voting Rights Act

The Help America Vote Act

The Drive-Thru Voting Act

The NVRA requires that motor vehicle and other state agencies offer citizens the chance to register to vote or update their registrations when they get or renew their driver’s licenses. This part of the law is known as “Motor Voter.”

Explanation

The NVRA requires that motor vehicle and other state agencies offer citizens the chance to register to vote or update their registrations when they get or renew their driver’s licenses. This part of the law is known as “Motor Voter.”

5. which country has the highest number of voters cast ballots in a single election?

India

United States

Indonesia

Russia

Westeros

India’s 2014 national election was the largest in world history. During a five-week period, 553,801,801 voters participated.

Explanation

India’s 2014 national election was the largest in world history. During a five-week period, 553,801,801 voters participated.

6. What U.S. constitutional amendment gave women the right to vote?

The 14th Amendment

The 19th Amendment

The 15th Amendment

The 22nd Amendment

The 103rd Amendment

Ratification of this amendment in 1920 guaranteed women’s suffrage nationwide, though several states had granted women the right to vote earlier.

Explanation

Ratification of this amendment in 1920 guaranteed women’s suffrage nationwide, though several states had granted women the right to vote earlier.

7. On or before Election Day, many Latin American countries impose "ley seca," which temporarily does what?

Blocks political advertisements

Closes schools

Bans the sale of alcohol

Provides free public transportation

In many countries in Latin America and around the world, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on or before Election Day. These bans may be intended to temper hooliganism and electoral tensions, but it's sometimes argued that their purpose is to prevent voters from casting ballots while under the influence. Earlier this year, South Carolina became the last U.S. state to lift a ban on the sale of alcohol on Election Day.

Explanation

In many countries in Latin America and around the world, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on or before Election Day. These bans may be intended to temper hooliganism and electoral tensions, but it's sometimes argued that their purpose is to prevent voters from casting ballots while under the influence. Earlier this year, South Carolina became the last U.S. state to lift a ban on the sale of alcohol on Election Day.

8. According to Pew's Election Performance Index, which state ranked No. 1 in election-administration performance in the past three major elections?

Massachusetts

New York

North Dakota

California

Georgia

North Dakota was the top-performing state in 2008, 2010, and 2012. As the only state that does not require voter registration, it issues no provisional ballots and has no registration applications to process. The state also has one of the lowest rates of nonvoting resulting from problems with registration or absentee ballots.

Explanation

North Dakota was the top-performing state in 2008, 2010, and 2012. As the only state that does not require voter registration, it issues no provisional ballots and has no registration applications to process. The state also has one of the lowest rates of nonvoting resulting from problems with registration or absentee ballots.

9. Who ran an unsuccessful U.S. senatorial campaign in Virginia in 2012?

Bosco the dog

Hank the cat

Izzy, a potted azalea bush

Marko the donkey

This politically ambitious feline from Virginia ran against Tim Kaine and George Allen for a U.S. Senate seat in 2012. Kaine won the election, but Hank earned third place with nearly 7,000 write-in votes. Marko the donkey and Bosco the dog are politically active figures in Varna, Bulgaria, and Sunol, California, respectively. To our knowledge, no plant has ever qualified for a ballot.

Explanation

This politically ambitious feline from Virginia ran against Tim Kaine and George Allen for a U.S. Senate seat in 2012. Kaine won the election, but Hank earned third place with nearly 7,000 write-in votes. Marko the donkey and Bosco the dog are politically active figures in Varna, Bulgaria, and Sunol, California, respectively. To our knowledge, no plant has ever qualified for a ballot.

10. What percentage of voters turned out in the November 2010 midterm elections?

55 percent

36 percent

67 percent

42 percent

100 percent

This turnout was down from 63 percent for the 2008 presidential election. Such a decline is typical; on average, voter turnout is 20 percentage points lower for midterm than for presidential elections. Many factors can influence turnout, including the competitiveness of the races, the scale of the election (local, statewide, or national), and even the weather.

Explanation

This turnout was down from 63 percent for the 2008 presidential election. Such a decline is typical; on average, voter turnout is 20 percentage points lower for midterm than for presidential elections. Many factors can influence turnout, including the competitiveness of the races, the scale of the election (local, statewide, or national), and even the weather.

11. All of the following serve as the chief election official in at least one state, except:

Secretary of state

Lieutenant governor

State board of elections

Attorney general

State election commission

In no state does an attorney general serve as the chief election official. The New Jersey attorney general used to be the chief election official of the state, but that responsibility was transferred to the secretary of state in 2008.

Explanation

In no state does an attorney general serve as the chief election official. The New Jersey attorney general used to be the chief election official of the state, but that responsibility was transferred to the secretary of state in 2008.