AP US Government : State Election Proceedings

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : State Election Proceedings

In the latter half of the nineteenth century, many states imposed Jim Crow laws, including electoral restrictions in an effort to prevent non-white citizens from voting. Which of the following was NOT a voter suppression tactic enacted by municipal and state governments?

Possible Answers:

Threats of Violence

Literacy Tests

Grandfather Clauses

Poll Taxes

Evidence of Residency Records

Correct answer:

Threats of Violence

Explanation:

While each of the answers is a real voter suppression tactic, threats of violence were performed on local community scales, as opposed to legal tactics enacted by municipal and state governments. 

Example Question #2 : State Election Proceedings

The boundaries of congressional districts are decided by __________.

Possible Answers:

The Department of the Interior

The Supreme Court of The United States

the governor's office

the state legislature

the lower courts of the Judicial Branch

Correct answer:

the state legislature

Explanation:

The various boundaries of the United States' congressional districts within each state are generally determined by the State Legislatures of those states. 

Example Question #3 : State Election Proceedings

In an open-seat election __________.

Possible Answers:

there is an equal split among the eligible voters for both parties

the President is able to choose his favored candidate for election

there is an opportunity for an independent candidate to gain a seat

there is no incumbent candidate

the media controls who will get elected

Correct answer:

there is no incumbent candidate

Explanation:

An open-seat election occurs when an incumbent either dies or retires during office, leaving a seat completely vacant. This is particularly important, because in a standard election incumbent candidates win a large majority of the time, so an open-seat provides an opportunity to multiple people, who might otherwise have no chance of being elected.

Example Question #4 : State Election Proceedings

The term “frontloading” refers to which of the following?

Possible Answers:

The allocation of the most funds to the states that joined the Union first

Writing the most important items into the beginning of pieces of legislation

More voters showing up for presidential elections than midterm elections

The President passing as many laws as he can in the first 100 days of his term

States moving their primaries earlier and earlier to have more influence on the outcome

Correct answer:

States moving their primaries earlier and earlier to have more influence on the outcome

Explanation:

The correct answer is "States moving their primaries earlier and earlier to have more influence on the outcome." States who have earlier primaries have more influence over the outcome of the nomination process. Because of this, states have moved their dates earlier and earlier in the calendar year, in a process known as frontloading.”

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