20 Election Law Quiz Questions and Answers

Question 1:
What is the minimum voting age for federal elections in the United States?
A) 16
B) 18
C) 21
D) 25
Answer: B) 18
Explanation: The 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution sets the minimum voting age at 18 for federal elections, ensuring that young adults can participate in the democratic process.

Question 2:
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits the denial of voting rights based on race?
A) 14th Amendment
B) 15th Amendment
C) 19th Amendment
D) 24th Amendment
Answer: B) 15th Amendment
Explanation: The 15th Amendment explicitly states that the right to vote cannot be denied on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude, addressing discrimination in voting.

Question 3:
What does the Voting Rights Act of 1965 primarily aim to combat?
A) Gerrymandering
B) Racial discrimination in voting
C) Campaign finance violations
D) Election fraud
Answer: B) Racial discrimination in voting
Explanation: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was enacted to eliminate barriers to voting for African Americans and other minorities, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.

Question 4:
In the U.S., who is responsible for administering elections at the state level?
A) The President
B) The U.S. Congress
C) State and local governments
D) The Supreme Court
Answer: C) State and local governments
Explanation: Under the U.S. Constitution, elections are primarily managed by state and local authorities, allowing for variations in procedures while adhering to federal standards.

Question 5:
What is required for a proposed constitutional amendment related to elections to be ratified in the U.S.?
A) Approval by the President
B) A simple majority in both houses of Congress
C) Ratification by three-fourths of the states
D) A national referendum
Answer: C) Ratification by three-fourths of the states
Explanation: Article V of the U.S. Constitution requires that a proposed amendment be ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states after being passed by Congress.

Question 6:
What is the purpose of voter registration in elections?
A) To limit the number of voters
B) To verify eligibility and prevent fraud
C) To raise campaign funds
D) To determine political party affiliations
Answer: B) To verify eligibility and prevent fraud
Explanation: Voter registration ensures that only eligible individuals vote and helps maintain the integrity of elections by confirming identities and residency.

Question 7:
Under U.S. election law, what is an absentee ballot?
A) A vote cast in person on election day
B) A vote cast by mail or other means for those unable to vote in person
C) A provisional ballot for unregistered voters
D) A ballot used in primary elections only
Answer: B) A vote cast by mail or other means for those unable to vote in person
Explanation: Absentee ballots allow eligible voters who cannot attend polling places, due to reasons like travel or illness, to participate in elections remotely.

Question 8:
What does the term “gerrymandering” refer to in election law?
A) Drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party
B) Counting votes multiple times
C) Requiring voter ID at polls
D) Limiting campaign spending
Answer: A) Drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party
Explanation: Gerrymandering involves manipulating district lines to create an unfair advantage for a particular group, often violating principles of fair representation.

Question 9:
In a general election, how are U.S. presidential electors chosen?
A) Directly by the popular vote
B) Through the Electoral College system
C) By state governors
D) By the U.S. Senate
Answer: B) Through the Electoral College system
Explanation: The U.S. Constitution establishes the Electoral College, where electors are chosen based on state votes to ultimately elect the President.

Question 10:
What is the role of the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in the U.S.?
A) To oversee state election laws
B) To enforce campaign finance laws and regulations
C) To conduct voter registration drives
D) To count electoral votes
Answer: B) To enforce campaign finance laws and regulations
Explanation: The FEC administers and enforces federal campaign finance laws, ensuring transparency and fairness in political fundraising and spending.

Question 11:
What is a soft money contribution in U.S. campaign finance?
A) Direct donations to a candidate’s campaign
B) Funds given to political parties for general activities, not directly to candidates
C) Anonymous donations
D) Loans from banks to candidates
Answer: B) Funds given to political parties for general activities, not directly to candidates
Explanation: Soft money refers to unregulated contributions to political parties for purposes like voter registration, which were limited by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

Question 12:
Under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, what is prohibited regarding broadcast ads?
A) Ads by candidates
B) Coordinated expenditures between candidates and parties
C) Issue ads funded by corporations close to elections
D) Voter education materials
Answer: C) Issue ads funded by corporations close to elections
Explanation: The Act bans corporations and unions from funding “electioneering communications,” such as ads mentioning candidates shortly before elections, to reduce undue influence.

Question 13:
What is the maximum amount an individual can contribute to a federal candidate’s campaign per election in the U.S.?
A) $500
B) $2,900
C) $5,000
D) No limit
Answer: B) $2,900
Explanation: As per current FEC regulations, the limit for individual contributions to a federal candidate per election is $2,900, subject to periodic adjustments for inflation.

Question 14:
What does “dark money” refer to in election campaigns?
A) Campaign funds from anonymous sources
B) Government subsidies for campaigns
C) Publicly disclosed donations
D) Funds from foreign entities
Answer: A) Campaign funds from anonymous sources
Explanation: Dark money consists of political spending by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors, often through nonprofit groups, raising concerns about transparency.

Question 15:
Which U.S. law requires disclosure of campaign expenditures?
A) The Patriot Act
B) The Federal Election Campaign Act
C) The Civil Rights Act
D) The Affordable Care Act
Answer: B) The Federal Election Campaign Act
Explanation: This Act mandates that campaigns disclose their financial activities to the FEC, promoting transparency in how money is spent during elections.

Question 16:
What is a plurality voting system?
A) A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of majority
B) A system requiring a runoff election
C) Proportional representation based on party votes
D) Voting only by party members
Answer: A) A system where the candidate with the most votes wins, regardless of majority
Explanation: In a plurality system, used in many U.S. elections, the candidate with the highest number of votes prevails, even if they do not have over 50%.

Question 17:
What is the purpose of a recount in an election?
A) To verify the initial vote count in close races
B) To change voter eligibility
C) To add more voters to the rolls
D) To redistribute campaign funds
Answer: A) To verify the initial vote count in close races
Explanation: A recount is conducted to ensure accuracy and resolve disputes in elections where the margin is narrow, maintaining public trust in results.

Question 18:
In the U.S., what happens if no presidential candidate receives a majority of Electoral College votes?
A) The House of Representatives decides
B) A national runoff election is held
C) The Senate selects the vice president
D) The popular vote winner is appointed
Answer: A) The House of Representatives decides
Explanation: The 12th Amendment stipulates that if no candidate achieves a majority, the House selects the President from the top three candidates.

Question 19:
What is the impact of the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision on elections?
A) It banned corporate donations
B) It allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions
C) It required full disclosure of all donations
D) It limited Super PAC spending
Answer: B) It allowed unlimited independent expenditures by corporations and unions
Explanation: The ruling held that restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations violated free speech, leading to increased outside spending in elections.

Question 20:
What is a primary election?
A) The final election to choose officeholders
B) An election to nominate candidates for the general election
C) A vote on constitutional amendments
D) A local election only
Answer: B) An election to nominate candidates for the general election
Explanation: Primary elections are held by political parties to select their candidates, allowing voters to influence who will appear on the general election ballot.