AP Gov. Unit 2 Writing Prompts – Flashcards

- it's in the constitution and has worked well since the formation of the US -benefits smaller states by forcing candidates to campaign in these states - would need an amendment to remove which would be difficult to enact

- winner-take-all is a disadvantage for third party candidates - not a true representation of how people feel (popular vote doesn't match the electoral vote) - candidates put most time into early voting and swing states

Candidates spend lots of their time campaigning in swing states so that they can get their votes

It introduces a bias into the campaign and electoral process and the winner-take-all rule means that candidates will focus on winning the states where the polls show that there is a close contest

the electoral college does not provide an accurate representation of the popular vote due to the winner-take-all rule. No matter how many votes a third party gets, they will never receive any real votes unless they win a clear majority which is unlikely

a law passed in 1974 for reforming campaign finances. The act created the Federal Election Commission, provided public financing for presidential primaries and general elections, limited presidential campaign spending, required disclosure, and attempted to limit contributions

a sex-member bipartisan agency created by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 which enforces campaign finance laws

made it easier for political parties to raise money for voter registration drives and the distribution of campaign material at the grass-roots level or for generic party advertising

political contributions earmarked for party-building expenses at the grass-roots level or for generic party advertising

-banned soft money contributions -increased the amount that individuals could give to candidates from $1,000 to $2,000 and indexed the latter amount to rise in the future along with inflation - barred groups from running "issue ads" within 60 days of a general election if if they refer to a federal candidate and are not funded through a PAC

Independent groups that seek to influence the political process but are not subject to contribution restrictions because they do not directly seek the election of particular candidates

Political Action Committees funding vehicles created by the 1974 campaign finance reforms. A corporation, union, or some other interest group can create a political action committee and register with the Federal Election Commission which will meticulously monitor the PACs expenditures

Because political campaigns are expensive

they worry that all the money raised by PACs will lead to them controlling what winners do once in office

spent 1 billion

spent 3 billion