House vs. Senate Elections: Term Lengths?
House: 2 years | Senate: 6 years (1/3 elected every 2 years)
House vs. Senate Elections: Seats up for election?
House: All 435 seats | Senate: One-third of seats
Presidential vs. Congressional Primaries: Scope?
Presidential: National | Congressional: State or district level
Presidential vs. Congressional Primaries: Scale?
Presidential: More candidates and voters | Congressional: Limited to district voters
Presidential vs. Congressional Primaries: Voter Participation?
Presidential: Broader participation | Congressional: Limited to district voters
Presidential vs. Congressional Primaries: Timing?
Presidential: Over months | Congressional: State-by-state on different days
Incumbents vs. Challengers: Fundraising?
Incumbents: More campaign cash | Challengers: Less campaign cash
Incumbents vs. Challengers: Name Recognition?
Incumbents: High name recognition | Challengers: Low name recognition
Incumbents vs. Challengers: PAC support?
Incumbents: More PAC Support | Challengers: Less PAC support
Primary vs. General Elections: Voter Base?
Primary: Registered Party Members | General: All Registered Voters
Define 'incumbent'.
Someone currently holding office and running for reelection.
What is a Political Action Committee (PAC)?
A group that raises and spends money to elect and defeat candidates.
Define 'gerrymandering'.
Redrawing district lines to favor one political party.
What is a 'safe seat'?
A district where one party has a large electoral advantage.
Define 'midterm election'.
An election held in the middle of a presidential term.
What is a primary election?
An election to select a party's nominee for the general election.
Define 'caucus'.
A meeting of party members to select candidates.
What is 'divided government'?
When the presidency and Congress are controlled by different parties.
What is 'voter turnout'?
The percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot.
What is a 'general election'?
The main election between candidates from different parties.
Cause and effect of incumbency advantage?
Cause: Name recognition, fundraising | Effect: Higher reelection rates
Cause and effect of gerrymandering?
Cause: Redrawing district lines | Effect: Safe seats, less competitive elections
Cause and effect of midterm elections?
Cause: Occur during a president's term | Effect: Referendum on president, shift in Congress
Cause and effect of divided government?
Cause: Different parties control presidency and Congress | Effect: Gridlock, difficulty passing laws
Cause and effect of safe seats?
Cause: Gerrymandering or strong party loyalty | Effect: Less responsive politicians, extreme candidates
Cause and effect of low voter turnout?
Cause: Apathy, lack of information | Effect: Skewed representation, policies not reflecting public will
Cause and effect of PAC contributions?
Cause: Supporting aligned candidates | Effect: Incumbents favored, influence on policy
Cause and effect of strong name recognition?
Cause: Previous office holding, media coverage | Effect: Easier to win elections
Cause and effect of a president's low approval rating?
Cause: Unpopular policies, economic downturn | Effect: Losses in midterm elections
Cause and effect of a president's high approval rating?
Cause: Successful policies, economic boom | Effect: Gains in midterm elections
