ELECTING THE PRESIDENT: A Guide to the Election Process
Directions: Using this document http://www.lwv.org/files/2012ElectingThePresident_0.pdf answer the
following questions
p. 3-5
1. Whom did the founders believe should have the right to vote? What did they mean by “having a stake in
society?”
2. How did some Southern states attempt to circumvent the 15th amendment? List other ways states have
attempted to limit voting rights?
3. Which modern acts have sought to break down barriers to voting and registration? What is the most
recent attempt by states to suppress the vote?
4. Describe current trends in voter turnout for young voters.
5. List 2 recent methods used to increase voter turnout.
6. What qualifications are necessary to run for President of the US?
7. Give the defining characteristics of the Republican and Democratic parties.
p. 6-9
8. What happens when a taxpayer check the President Election Fund Box on their tax returns?
9. What significant action regarding funding did President Barack Obama take during the 2008 Presidential
campaign that had never been done before in the general election? And what did this mean President
Obama could accept?
10. What was the ruling in the landmark 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case and
what has been created as a result of this ruling?
11. According to the data in this document, how much total money could an individual directly donate to a
presidential candidate assuming he/she does not accept public funding and gets the party nomination?
How much could an individual donate to advertising to endorse a candidate as long as they report it to
the FEC and do not coordinate with the candidate?
12. Of the states with the 5 largest electoral votes, which one does a Republican candidate have the best
chance of stealing from the Democratic candidate?
13. What is the goal of primaries and caucuses?
14. Approximately what percentage of eligible voters participate in primaries?
What does this mean for the political ideology of primary and caucus voters?
in caucuses?
Where is the nation’s first Presidential caucus?
Where is the nation’s first Presidential primary?
p. 10-12
15. Why have many states moved their primaries forward?
16. What are the four major items on the national convention agenda?
17. Why is it necessary for candidates to revise their message in the months leading up to the General
Election after the National Convention and Primaries?
18. When campaigning, where should candidates devote the most energy and time?
19. List and describe the FOUR campaigns that Presidential candidates have going on at the same time?
20. How do debates benefit the viewers/American people?
p. 13-15
21. What are two of the most important problems facing the U.S. today, what percentage of people think
they are problems, and why do you think these are the main problems seen by the majority of the
people?
22. When is the earliest and latest date for the general election? When does the Constitution specify the day
should be each year?
23. In your own words, explain how the Electoral College elects the President of the United States.
24. Explain how early projection of election results can be a controversial public issue.
25. How is the general election vote made official in December? What then happens in Congress in early
January and then on January 20th?
26. Why do candidates and their campaign staff use propaganda techniques? Which of the eleven
techniques listed do you think has been used most effectively this campaign season? Give and example
and explain why?