The Electoral College: Preview Quiz

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Quizzes Created: 6 | Total Attempts: 5,270
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We will be starting the election next week, covering the powers of the President, the biographies of the two men running, and issues research.
To get you ready, and to save us some time in class, watch the embedded video and answer some questions. There is also a link to an article if the video goes too quickly for you.

Article: http://www. Time. Com/time/nation/article/0,8599,55439,00. H tml


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    When you vote for President, who are you voting for?

    • A.

      The person running for office.

    • B.

      Your member of Congress, who will vote for you.

    • C.

      An "elector," who will then vote for the President in December.

    • D.

      Who knows?

    Correct Answer
    C. An "elector," who will then vote for the President in December.
    Explanation
    When you vote for President, you are actually voting for an "elector" who will then cast their vote for the President in December. This is because of the Electoral College system in the United States, where the President is not directly elected by the popular vote but by electors who are chosen by each state. These electors are typically pledged to vote for the candidate who wins the popular vote in their state. Therefore, your vote for President is essentially a vote for the elector who will represent your state and cast their vote on your behalf in the Electoral College.

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  • 2. 

    How are the electors divided up?

    • A.

      There is one elector for every 574,000 Americans.

    • B.

      Each state gets the number of electors that it has members of Congress (House and Senate combined)

    • C.

      Electors are divided up evenly by population of the states. That is why California has the msot.

    • D.

      There is no system. They are divided up randomly.

    Correct Answer
    B. Each state gets the number of electors that it has members of Congress (House and Senate combined)
    Explanation
    The correct answer is that each state gets the number of electors that it has members of Congress (House and Senate combined). This means that the number of electors a state has is based on its population and representation in Congress. This ensures that more populated states have more electors, while less populated states have fewer electors. This system is designed to give each state a fair representation in the Electoral College.

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  • 3. 

    Do electors HAVE to pick the President they are told to vote for?

    • A.

      No. They can pick whoever they want, but they almost always go with who they told to vote for.

    • B.

      Yes. They go to jail if they change their vote.

    • C.

      Yes, because they will receive a fine if they don't.

    • D.

      Electors don't vote for the President, silly.

    Correct Answer
    A. No. They can pick whoever they want, but they almost always go with who they told to vote for.
    Explanation
    Electors do not have to pick the President they are told to vote for. While they can technically choose whoever they want, they typically align with the candidate they are instructed to vote for by their political party or state. However, there are instances where electors have voted for someone other than the expected candidate, known as "faithless electors." While there may not be legal consequences for deviating from the expected vote, some states have implemented fines or other penalties to discourage faithless electors.

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  • 4. 

    Which state has the most electors?

    • A.

      Vermont

    • B.

      Massachusetts

    • C.

      Texas

    Correct Answer
    C. Texas
    Explanation
    Texas has the most electors because it is the second most populous state in the United States, with a large number of congressional districts. The number of electors a state has is determined by the total number of representatives it has in Congress, which includes both senators and members of the House of Representatives. Texas has a total of 38 electoral votes, making it the state with the most electors.

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  • 5. 

    Which Americans do not get to vote for the President?

    • A.

      People living in Washington D.C.

    • B.

      Women

    • C.

      Americans living in other countries

    • D.

      Americans living in the territories, like Guam and Puerto Rico

    Correct Answer
    D. Americans living in the territories, like Guam and Puerto Rico
    Explanation
    Americans living in the territories, like Guam and Puerto Rico, do not get to vote for the President. While they are U.S. citizens, they do not have representation in the Electoral College, which is responsible for electing the President. This is because these territories are not considered states and therefore do not have the same voting rights as residents of the 50 states.

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  • 6. 

    A President could be elected with fewer actual votes if he wins enough states to win the electoral college.

    • A.

      True

    • B.

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    It has happened four times. 1824, John Quincy Adams lost the popular vote to Andrew Jackson. 1877, Rutherford B Hayes lost the popular vote to Samuel Tilden. 2000, George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore. And one other time that you can look up...

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  • 7. 

    How many "electors" does one need to win the Presidency?

    • A.

      538

    • B.

      270

    • C.

      100

    • D.

      13,000,000

    Correct Answer
    B. 270
    Explanation
    There are 538 electors total. 270 is the majority needed to win the Presidency.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 20, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Oct 13, 2012
    Quiz Created by
    Greiner
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