Political Process Study Guide
CE 5a:
1. What is the most important function of political parties? Help candidates win elections
2. Who identifies candidates for public office for a particular party? Political parties
CE 5b:
3. What are the similarities between political parties?

Organize to win elections

Influence public policy

Reflect both liberal and conservative views

Appeal to the political center
4. Name a few examples of third parties. Bull Moose Party, Green Party, Reform Party
CE 5c:
5. What are the 4 ways mass media plays a role in political campaigns?

Identifying candidates

Emphasizing selected issues

Writing editorials, creating political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces

Broadcasting different points of view
6. What are the 4 strategies for evaluating campaign information?

Separating fact from opinion

Evaluating sources

Detecting bias

Identifying propaganda
CE 5d:
7. Due to rising campaign costs, PACs are formed as an important source of funding for campaigns.
8. How has the high cost of getting elected changed campaigning for political office? Increasing influence of
interest groups, development of PACs, gives advantage to the wealthy, extensive fundraising activities
9. Rising campaign costs have led to campaign finance laws, which places a limit on the amount individuals can
contribute to candidates and campaigns.
10. What is the primary goal of interest groups to influence? Public policy
CE 5e:
11. What are the ways a citizen of Virginia registers to vote?

DMV

Mail in application

At the Registrar’s office

Register Online
12. What are reasons that citizens fail to vote? Lack of interest or failure to register
13. What are the 3 qualifications to vote in the state of Virginia?

U.S. citizen

Resident of VA and precinct

18 by day of election
14. How many days prior to an election must a citizen register to vote? 22
15. What are the 3 factors that predict which citizens will vote?

education

age

income
CE 5f:
16. Who elects the President and Vice President? Electoral College
17. What does the winner-take-all system in the Electoral College lead to in campaigning? Targeting of densely
populated states
18. The United States is said to have what type of system favorable to the Electoral College? Two-party system
19. How are Electoral votes calculated for each state? Congressional representation, which is based on population
CE 9a:
20. What do elected officeholders use the media for? To communicate with the public
CE 9b:
21. What are the 3 ways individuals influence public opinion and public policy?

Participate in politics

Expressing opinions

Joining interest groups
22. What are the 3 ways interest groups influence public opinion and public policy?

Identifying issues

Making political contributions

Lobbying government officials
Short Answer: Use your Current Event #2 and the Election 2014 Ballot.
23. Who is running for the House of Representatives in the 10th District of Virginia?
Barbara Comstock and John Foust
Who are the 3 candidates for US Senate of Virginia? Mark Warner, Ed Gillespie and Robert Sarvis
24. Using current events, which international issue or event would affect local decision making in the event of a
pandemic? Ebola
25. Beyond voting for candidates, what do voters also have to consider on Election Day?
VA Constitutional Amendments and local bond questions
Essay: Students should prepare for both essay questions. Answers should be written in paragraph form and include
supporting details and examples.
27. Describe the role of the Electoral College in electing the president and vice president. (CE 5f)
 Slate of electors is chosen by the popular vote
 Most states have a winner-take-all system, which leads to targeting of densely populated states for
campaigning
 Electors meet to vote for president and vice president
 Number of electors is based on congressional representation
 Majority vote needed to win favors a two-party system
28. Explain how each of the following plays a role in elections--citizens, political parties, interest groups and the
media. (CE 5a-e)
 Citizens: more likely to vote depending on education, age, income; fail to vote due to lack of interest or
failure to register
 Political parties: nominate candidates, educate the electorate, help candidates win
 Interest groups: lobby to influence public policy, contribute $ to candidates

Media: identifying candidates; emphasizing selected issues; writing editorials, creating political cartoons,
publishing op-ed pieces; broadcasting different points of view