AP Government: FRQ Question
1. Reporters have been scrambling about because of the 2012 elections. There are numerous
elections for each state that are spread out over a year to nominate candidates for a party for the
presidential elections. There are many factors that play a key role in these primaries and
caucuses.
a. Explain and identify why the reporters are facing one state instead of another. Then identify…
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Which state has the primary
Which state has the caucus
Which state goes first in the primary/caucus race
b. A lot of money flows into these elections to influence the outcome such as PACs. But there
are factors that help monitor these flows of money. Identify how both limit PACs or soft money.
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Federal Election Campaign Act
McCain-Feingold Act
c. Explain the differences between a caucus and a primary & select two of the following to
explain:
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Open Primary
Closed Primary
Blanket Primary
Rubric
Part “a”
One point is earned for correctly explaining that the Iowa caucus is over and the reporters are
now focusing media attention on the New Hampshire primary. It is also acceptable if the explanation
includes primary, caucus, and media attention. Then another…
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One Point is awarded for identifying that New Hampshire has the primary
One Point is awarded for identifying that Iowa has the caucus
One Point awarded for identifying that Iowa comes first.
Part “b”
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One point is awarded for explaining that the Federal Election Campaign act increased disclosure
of contributions for federal campaigns. It created the FEC and placed limits on where donations
came from. Similar answers will suffice. Must have at least two of the above for full point.
One point is awarded for explaining that McCain-Feingold Act helped limit soft money usage.
Part “c”
One point is awarded for describing that primaries are like polls where one stands in a line to
votes while caucuses are group gatherings where people take sides for candidates or answers similar to
the ones above. Then two points are earned for accurately defining two of the three options below.
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One point is earned for defining that an open primary are elections that are open to anyone
including independents and different party voters. An acceptable answer would be “a primary
election where voters do not need to declare party affiliation.
One point is earned for defining that a closed primary are elections that are only open to voters
that are affiliated with a party and independents cannot vote. An acceptable answer could be
primary elections where you have to side with a party.
One point is earned for defining that an open primary is a primary election that is open to
anyone and can vote for different parties for different positions. An acceptable answer could be
primary elections with ticket-splitting and open to anyone.
Correct Responses
1a.
The reporters are facing one state instead of another, because of the primary-caucus race.
Iowa’s caucus has recently finished, so the reporters are focusing media attention on the next
primary/caucus which is the New Hampshire primary. Media focuses on these states, because
they can give any candidate who wins the Iowa caucus or New Hampshire primary the
momentum to help him/her win the nomination elections. Because Iowa has finished its caucus,
media attention has diverted away to New Hampshire. The media also focuses on these elections,
because they also give a candidate momentum by reported results of these caucuses and
primaries. Iowa has the caucus and comes first in the primary-caucus race. New Hampshire has
the primary and comes after Iowa.
b.
The McCain-Fraser Act was a bipartisan act that helped reduce the power of soft money
in elections. It limited the increased role of soft money by prohibiting national political party
committees from raising or spending any funds not subject to federal limits.
The Federal Election Campaign Act limited campaign donation amounts including PACs.
The FECA also created the federal election commission which regulates campaign spending as
well. It also limits campaign contributions by individuals and organizations.
c.
A caucus is a gathering of citizens (which is open to anyone 18 and above) who group
together in groups in support for a candidate. Group numbers are then tallied up and the
candidate with the most supporters wins the caucus. A primary is a poll-based election where
people line up to vote for a candidate. The candidate with the most votes wins. The difference
between a primary and a caucus lies in how they decide which candidate wins the state. A caucus
is where people actually group together to support for a candidate, while a primary is where
people vote to support a candidate.
A blanket primary is a primary which is open to anyone. Voters can be independent or
party-affiliated. Voters aligned with a different party can vote for another party’s candidates for
different government positions. Ticket-splitting is allowed which allows voters to vote for both
parties on different candidates for different positions.
A closed primary is a primary which is only open to voters who are affiliated or
registered with a party. Party-aligned voters can then only vote for their party’s candidates for
different positions. There is no voting for other party’s candidates.
Incorrect Responses
1a. The reporters are facing New Hampshire, because it has a caucus. Primaries draw more
media attention than caucuses. Media attention focuses on states and gives states attention that it
can benefit off of. The reporters are not facing Iowa, because its primary is done and that
reporters are now focusing on New Hampshire’s caucuses.
New Hampshire has the caucus. Iowa has the primary which comes first.
b.
The Federal Election Campaign Act helped decrease the public disclosure of campaign
expenditures. It did not limit the amount of money PACs could donate to a candidate. It created
the FEC to limit and regulate campaign expenditures.
The McCain-Feingold Act helped increased the role of soft money in campaign
financing. It amended the Federal Election Campaign Act and removed some limitations for soft
money. The McCain-Feingold Act, however, did limit soft money ads or electioneering ads.
c.
The difference between a primary and a caucus is how they support a candidate. A
primary requires you to vote for a candidate. A caucus is similar, but people meet in a place and
group up to support a candidate. Then, the votes are sent to the state legislature who approves the
vote.
An open primary is a primary that is open to anyone. There is ticket splitting and
independents cannot vote. Once done, people vote for delegates that go to the national
convention.
A closed primary is a primary that is only open to voters who have registered with a
party. However, they can still vote for other party’s candidates for other government positions.