Study Guide for Political Process Test
Name:__________________________
READ CHAPTER 9, 10, AND 11.
On a separate sheet of paper, please answer the following questions in complete sentences.
Know and understand the following key terms. Yes, that means you have to write out the definition.
Public Opinion: the ideas and attitudes that most people hold about elected officials, candidates, government, and
political issues
Public Policy: the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem
Electoral College: a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president
Apathy: lack of interest
Political Party: an association of voters with broad common interests who want to influence or control decision
making in government by electing the party’s candidates into public office.
Third Party: a party that challenges the two major parties
Platform: a series of statements expressing the party’s principles, beliefs, and positions on election issues
Planks: each individual part of a party’s platform
Candidates: one who offers oneself or is proposed by others for an office
Nominate: political parties select and offer candidates for public office
Campaign: a series of promoting oneself for an office
Electorate: all the people eligible to vote
Liberal: views that reflect open mindedness and non traditional
Conservative: views that reflect traditional beliefs and tend to be more cautious
Propaganda: certain ideas that may involve misleading messages designed to manipulate people
Two party system: a system of government in which two parties compete for power
Political action committees (PAC): political organization established by a corporation, labor union, or other special
interest group designed to support candidates by contributing money
Campaign finance reform: a series of laws that limit the amount of money individuals can contribute to candidates
and campaigns
Study Guide for Political Process Test
Name:__________________________
Voter Registration and Participation
1. How can someone become qualified to vote in the Commonwealth of Virginia?
They must be a citizen of the U.S., a resident of Virginia, and at least 18 years old.
2. How can someone become registered to vote?
A person can be registered by applying at the DMV, the voter registrar’s office, or by mailing in their
application.
3. What are the factors that predict which citizens will vote?
The factors that predict what citizens will vote are: education, age, and income.
4. When is the deadline for citizens to vote before the election?
The deadline is 29 days before the election date.
5. Why do citizens fail to vote?
Citizens fail to vote because they either fail to register or they have apathy.
6. What election are people most likely to participate in? (Circle one) Presidential Election or State/Local
Election
Electoral College
1. What is the number of electors for each state based on? Do you know the formula?
The number of electors for each state is based on Congressional Representation. The formula is: Electoral
College Votes = # of Representatives + # of Senators
2. What do the electors vote for? Hint: It is for TWO offices!
The electors vote for President and Vice President.
3. What system makes candidates focus on larger states for the electoral votes?
This system is called the Winner Takes All System. The candidate that wins the state receives ALL electoral
votes.
4. How do the electors decide on how they vote on elections?
The electors vote based on popular vote in their respective state.
Public Opinion and Public Policy
1.
What are the four sources of public opinion?
The four sources of public opinion are personal background, mass media, interest groups, and public
officials.
2. What makes up personal background?
Personal background is made up of age, gender, race, religion, income, occupation, and life’s experiences.
3. What are some examples of mass media?
Mass media is comprised of newspapers, television news, magazines, internet sources, et cetera.
4. What influences public policy?
Public policy is influenced by individuals, mass media, and interest groups. Individuals influence public
policy by participating in politics, express opinions, and joining interest groups. Interest groups influence
by identifying issues, making political contributions, and lobbying government officials. Mass media
influences public policy by focusing the public attention on selected issues, offering a forum for opposing
viewpoints, holding officials accountable, and giving officials a method to communicate to the public.
Study Guide for Political Process Test
Name:__________________________
Political Parties, Campaigns, and Media
1. What are the functions of political parties?
The functions of political parties are to recruit and nominate candidates, educate the electorate about
issues, help candidates win elections, and monitor the actions of officeholders.
2. List the similarities and differences of political parties.
Similarities between the parties are that they both organize to win elections, influence public policy, reflect
both liberal and conservative views, and they appeal to the political center. The differences between the
parties are stated in their party’s platform and it is reflected in campaigning.
3. What is the media’s role in politics?
The media identifies the candidates, emphasize selected issues, write editorials, political cartoons, and
publish op-ed pieces, and they broadcast points of view.
4. When evaluating propaganda what should voters do to determine accuracy?
These are strategies for determining accuracy on propaganda:
 Separating fact from fiction
 Detecting bias
 Evaluating the sources
 Identifying propaganda techniques
5. Since running for political office is expensive, what do rising campaign costs do?
 Require candidates to conduct fundraising activities
 Limit opportunities to run for office
 Gives advantages to the wealthy to run for office
 Encourages the development of political action committees (PACs)
6. What are the two ways that campaign finance reform helps potential candidates?
Campaign finance reform helps candidates by limiting the amount that individuals can contribute to
candidates and campaigns.