Electoral College and the Presidency

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge about the Electoral College and the Presidency of the United States.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: politics political campaigns electoral college presidency
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What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

  1. To ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote.

  2. To ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the Electoral College votes.

  3. To ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the states.

  4. To ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the House of Representatives.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Electoral College is a system in which each state has a certain number of electors, based on its population. The electors are chosen by each state's legislature, and they meet to cast their votes for President and Vice President. The candidate who receives a majority of the Electoral College votes becomes President.

How many electoral votes does each state have?

  1. The same number as its number of Representatives in the House of Representatives.

  2. The same number as its number of Senators in the Senate.

  3. The same number as its number of Representatives in the House of Representatives plus its number of Senators in the Senate.

  4. The same number as its population.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Each state has a number of electoral votes equal to its number of Representatives in the House of Representatives plus its number of Senators in the Senate. For example, California has 53 electoral votes, because it has 53 Representatives in the House of Representatives and 2 Senators in the Senate.

What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the Presidency?

  1. 270

  2. 365

  3. 435

  4. 538


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the Presidency is 270. This is because there are a total of 538 electoral votes, and a candidate needs to receive a majority of them to win.

What happens if no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes?

  1. The House of Representatives chooses the President.

  2. The Senate chooses the President.

  3. The Supreme Court chooses the President.

  4. The election is held again.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

If no candidate receives a majority of the electoral votes, the House of Representatives chooses the President. The House votes by state delegation, with each state having one vote. The candidate who receives a majority of the state delegations becomes President.

When was the Electoral College first used?

  1. 1787

  2. 1789

  3. 1792

  4. 1796


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The Electoral College was first used in 1789, when George Washington was elected President.

How many times has the House of Representatives chosen the President?

  1. 0

  2. 1

  3. 2

  4. 3


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The House of Representatives has chosen the President twice: in 1800 and 1824.

Who was the last President to be chosen by the House of Representatives?

  1. Thomas Jefferson

  2. John Quincy Adams

  3. Andrew Jackson

  4. John Tyler


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

John Quincy Adams was the last President to be chosen by the House of Representatives, in 1824.

What is the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution?

  1. It abolished the Electoral College.

  2. It changed the way that electoral votes are allocated.

  3. It gave the District of Columbia three electoral votes.

  4. It allowed for the direct election of the President.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The 23rd Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1961, gave the District of Columbia three electoral votes.

What is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact?

  1. An agreement among states to award all of their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.

  2. An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote in their state.

  3. An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote in the most populous state.

  4. An agreement among states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote in the least populous state.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among states to award all of their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote. The compact has been enacted by 15 states and the District of Columbia, but it will not go into effect until it is enacted by states with a total of 270 electoral votes.

What are the arguments for and against the Electoral College?

  1. The Electoral College ensures that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote.

  2. The Electoral College ensures that the President is elected by a majority of the Electoral College votes.

  3. The Electoral College ensures that the President is elected by a majority of the states.

  4. The Electoral College ensures that the President is elected by a majority of the House of Representatives.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Electoral College does not ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote, the Electoral College votes, the states, or the House of Representatives. It is possible for a candidate to win the Presidency without winning the popular vote, as happened in 2016 when Donald Trump won the Presidency despite losing the popular vote to Hillary Clinton.

What are some of the proposed reforms to the Electoral College?

  1. Abolish the Electoral College and elect the President by direct popular vote.

  2. Change the way that electoral votes are allocated.

  3. Create a system of proportional representation in the Electoral College.

  4. Allow states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

There are a number of proposed reforms to the Electoral College, including abolishing it altogether, changing the way that electoral votes are allocated, creating a system of proportional representation, and allowing states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote.

What is the most likely outcome of the Electoral College reform debate?

  1. The Electoral College will be abolished.

  2. The Electoral College will be reformed.

  3. The Electoral College will remain unchanged.

  4. The Electoral College will be replaced with a system of direct popular vote.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Electoral College is a deeply entrenched part of the American political system, and it is unlikely to be abolished or reformed in the near future.

What are the pros and cons of abolishing the Electoral College?

  1. Abolishing the Electoral College would ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote.

  2. Abolishing the Electoral College would make the election process more fair and democratic.

  3. Abolishing the Electoral College would make it easier for third-party candidates to win the Presidency.

  4. Abolishing the Electoral College would make it more difficult for candidates to win the Presidency without winning the popular vote.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Abolishing the Electoral College would have both pros and cons. On the one hand, it would ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote, making the election process more fair and democratic. It would also make it easier for third-party candidates to win the Presidency. On the other hand, it would make it more difficult for candidates to win the Presidency without winning the popular vote.

What are the pros and cons of reforming the Electoral College?

  1. Reforming the Electoral College would ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote.

  2. Reforming the Electoral College would make the election process more fair and democratic.

  3. Reforming the Electoral College would make it easier for third-party candidates to win the Presidency.

  4. Reforming the Electoral College would make it more difficult for candidates to win the Presidency without winning the popular vote.


Correct Option:
Explanation:

Reforming the Electoral College would have both pros and cons. On the one hand, it could ensure that the President is elected by a majority of the popular vote, making the election process more fair and democratic. It could also make it easier for third-party candidates to win the Presidency. On the other hand, it could make it more difficult for candidates to win the Presidency without winning the popular vote.

What is the most likely outcome of the Electoral College debate?

  1. The Electoral College will be abolished.

  2. The Electoral College will be reformed.

  3. The Electoral College will remain unchanged.

  4. The Electoral College will be replaced with a system of direct popular vote.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The Electoral College is a deeply entrenched part of the American political system, and it is unlikely to be abolished or reformed in the near future.

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