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GED Social Studies: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections Concepts

Importance ★★★☆☆ · 15% (estimate)

Overview

This chapter covers how Americans choose their leaders and try to influence government: political parties, interest groups, campaigns, and elections.

The Democratic and Republican parties are the two major parties; smaller parties are called third parties. Interest groups, such as unions or business groups, try to influence policy by lobbying and supporting candidates. Primary elections choose each party's candidate, and the general election chooses the winner.

The President is chosen through the Electoral College. Each state gets electoral votes equal to its senators plus representatives, and Washington, D.C. gets 3, for a total of 538. A candidate needs 270 to win. Amendments have widened voting rights over time, and campaign messages often use loaded language that you should learn to spot.

Key concepts

  • Primary election

    An election in which voters choose a party's candidate for the general election.

    Memory tipPrimary first, general election second.

  • Electoral College

    The system that chooses the President. A candidate needs 270 of 538 electoral votes.

    Memory tipElectoral votes = senators + representatives.

    Source: U.S. Constitution · as of 2026

  • Interest group

    A private group that tries to influence government on its issues, often by lobbying.

    Memory tipParties run candidates; interest groups push issues.

  • Voting amendments

    15th: no denial because of race. 19th: women. 24th: no poll taxes in federal elections. 26th: age 18.

    Memory tip15 race, 19 women, 24 poll tax, 26 age 18.

    Source: U.S. Constitution · as of 2026

  • Loaded language

    Words with strong emotion, such as "reckless" or "fool," used to persuade without evidence.

    Memory tipEmotional words are a sign of bias.

Often tested

  • Presidential requirements: at least 35, natural-born citizen, 14 years' U.S. residence.
  • Turnout tables: compare like with like, such as presidential years vs. midterm years.
  • If no candidate wins 270 electoral votes, the House chooses the President.

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedCivics and Government › Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections★★★☆☆

Question 1. What are the two major political parties in the United States today?

  1. ① The Republican Party and the Libertarian Party
  2. ② The Democratic Party and the Green Party
  3. ③ The Democratic Party and the Republican Party
  4. ④ The Federalist Party and the Whig Party
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Answer: ③ The Democratic Party and the Republican Party

Key point: Two major parties: Democratic and Republican

The United States has a two-party system. Since the 1850s, the Democratic and Republican parties have been the two major parties. Minor parties, also called third parties, also run candidates but rarely win national offices.

Wrong choices

  • The Republican Party and the Libertarian Party: The Libertarian Party is a minor (third) party.
  • The Democratic Party and the Green Party: The Green Party is a minor (third) party.
  • The Federalist Party and the Whig Party: The Federalist and Whig parties were important long ago but no longer exist as major parties.
Practice questionReviewedCivics and Government › Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections★★★☆☆

Question 2. What happens in a primary election?

  1. ① Voters choose which candidate will represent a party in the general election
  2. ② Voters approve amendments to the U.S. Constitution
  3. ③ Voters choose the President directly
  4. ④ Members of the House elect the Speaker
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Answer: ① Voters choose which candidate will represent a party in the general election

Key point: Primary: chooses a party's candidate

A primary election lets voters choose a party's candidate. The winners of the primaries then face each other in the general election. Some states use caucuses (meetings) instead of primaries.

Wrong choices

  • Voters approve amendments to the U.S. Constitution: Amendments to the U.S. Constitution are ratified by the states, not approved by voters in primaries.
  • Voters choose the President directly: The President is chosen through the general election and the Electoral College.
  • Members of the House elect the Speaker: The Speaker is elected by House members, not in a primary.
Practice questionReviewedCivics and Government › Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections★★★☆☆

Question 3. There are 538 electoral votes. How many does a candidate need to win the presidency?

  1. ① 218
  2. ② 269
  3. ③ 270
  4. ④ 538
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ③ 270

Key point: Win the presidency with 270 of 538 electoral votes

The President is chosen by the Electoral College. A candidate needs a majority of the 538 electoral votes, which is 270. If no one gets a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the President.

Wrong choices

  • 218: 218 is the number of votes needed for a majority in the 435-member House, not the Electoral College.
  • 269: 269 is exactly half of 538, which would be a tie, not a majority.
  • 538: A candidate does not need every electoral vote, only a majority.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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