GED Social Studies Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections Summary

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.

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.

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.

Each state's electoral votes equal its total number of members of Congress: two senators plus its number of House members. The District of Columbia gets 3 electoral votes under the 23rd Amendment, bringing the total to 538.

Wrong choices

• It equals the state's population divided by one million: There is no such rule. Electoral votes follow the number of seats in Congress.
• It equals the state's number of representatives only: Representatives alone leave out the two senators each state has.
• Every state has the same number: States with more people have more electoral votes.

Loaded language uses words with strong emotional meaning, such as "fool" or "reckless," to persuade people without giving evidence. GED questions often ask you to spot this kind of bias or propaganda in campaign materials.

Wrong choices

• Testimony from an expert: The flyer does not quote any expert.
• A neutral statement of fact: Words like "fool" and "reckless" show strong feeling. A neutral fact would not insult voters or the plan.
• Statistical evidence: The flyer gives no numbers or data.

Compare the two kinds of elections. The presidential years had 62% and 66% turnout. The midterm years had 48% and 47%. Both presidential years were higher than both midterm years, so the pattern holds in this table.

Wrong choices

• A larger share of voters turned out in 2022 than in 2018: Turnout was 47% in 2022 and 48% in 2018, so it was slightly lower in 2022.
• Turnout rose in every election from 2016 to 2022: Turnout fell from 2016 to 2018 and from 2020 to 2022, so it did not rise every time.
• Turnout was lower in 2020 than in 2016: Turnout was 66% in 2020 and 62% in 2016, so it was higher in 2020.

An interest group is an organization of people who share a goal, such as a labor union, a business group, or an environmental group. Interest groups try to influence laws by contacting lawmakers (lobbying), supporting candidates, and informing the public.

Wrong choices

• A government agency that enforces laws: Government agencies are part of the executive branch. Interest groups are private groups.
• A committee of Congress that writes bills: Congressional committees are part of Congress, not outside groups.
• A political party that runs candidates for office: Political parties run candidates for office. Interest groups usually focus on issues and try to influence officials.

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. Supporters pointed out that 18-year-olds could be drafted to fight in the Vietnam War but could not vote.

Wrong choices

• The 24th Amendment: The 24th Amendment (1964) banned poll taxes in federal elections.
• The 19th Amendment: The 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote.
• The 15th Amendment: The 15th Amendment (1870) barred denying the vote because of race.

Article II of the Constitution sets three requirements for President: at least 35 years old, a natural-born citizen, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years. The Constitution does not require any education.

Wrong choices

• Having lived in the United States for at least 14 years: Living in the United States for at least 14 years is a constitutional requirement.
• Being a natural-born citizen: Being a natural-born citizen is a constitutional requirement.
• Being at least 35 years old: Being at least 35 years old is a constitutional requirement.