AP Comparative Government and Politics Flashcards: Electoral Systems And Rules

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Electoral Systems And Rules, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Comparative Government and Politics.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is tactical voting?

Answer: Voting for a less preferred but more viable candidate. Strategic voting for electable candidates over true preferences.

Flashcard 2: Which electoral system can lead to vote splitting?

Answer: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Similar candidates divide support, helping opponents win.

Flashcard 3: What is the purpose of an electoral threshold?

Answer: To prevent small parties from gaining seats. Sets minimum vote percentage required for parliamentary seats.

Flashcard 4: Identify a benefit of the proportional representation system.

Answer: Reflects diverse political views more accurately. Seat distribution matches vote percentages across parties.

Flashcard 5: What is the main feature of a majority electoral system?

Answer: Requires more than 50% of votes to win. Ensures winner has broader support than plurality systems.

Flashcard 6: What is the purpose of a runoff in a two-round system?

Answer: Ensure a candidate receives majority support. Forces broader consensus beyond initial plurality support.

Flashcard 7: What is gerrymandering?

Answer: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage. Creates unfair electoral advantages through boundary manipulation.

Flashcard 8: Which system often results in a multi-party system?

Answer: Proportional representation. Proportional allocation encourages multiple viable parties.

Flashcard 9: What is a safe seat?

Answer: A district where one party consistently wins. Predictable outcomes reduce competitive campaigning.

Flashcard 10: What is the primary drawback of a plurality system?

Answer: Does not require majority support to win. Winner may lack support from majority of voters.

Flashcard 11: Identify a benefit of the proportional representation system.

Answer: Reflects diverse political views more accurately. Seat distribution matches vote percentages across parties.

Flashcard 12: What is a plurality electoral system?

Answer: Candidate with the most votes wins, no majority needed. Simple majority wins without needing over 50% support.

Flashcard 13: Which electoral system might use a single transferable vote?

Answer: Proportional representation. STV uses ranked voting in multi-member districts.

Flashcard 14: What is Duverger's Law?

Answer: Plurality systems lead to two-party systems. Winner-take-all systems discourage third-party competition.

Flashcard 15: Identify a method to reduce gerrymandering.

Answer: Independent redistricting commissions. Neutral bodies reduce partisan boundary manipulation.

Flashcard 16: What is an electoral formula?

Answer: A rule for converting votes into seats. Mathematical method determining how votes become legislative seats.

Flashcard 17: What is a runoff election?

Answer: A second round of voting if no candidate wins a majority. Eliminates candidates lacking majority support initially.

Flashcard 18: What is a mixed electoral system?

Answer: Combines elements of plurality and proportional systems. Seeks benefits of both local representation and proportionality.

Flashcard 19: Identify a consequence of low voter turnout.

Answer: Less representative electoral outcomes. Reduced participation weakens democratic legitimacy.

Flashcard 20: What is a plurality electoral system?

Answer: Candidate with the most votes wins, no majority needed. Simple majority wins without needing over 50% support.

Flashcard 21: Which electoral system uses single-member districts?

Answer: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Each district elects one representative using plurality voting.

Flashcard 22: Which electoral system is used in the United States?

Answer: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Single-member districts with plurality winner determination.

Flashcard 23: Which system best prevents vote wastage?

Answer: Proportional representation. All votes contribute to party representation proportionally.

Flashcard 24: Which system uses multi-member districts?

Answer: Proportional representation. Multiple seats per district enable proportional allocation.

Flashcard 25: Which system often requires coalition governments?

Answer: Proportional representation. Fragmented parliaments necessitate multi-party agreements.

Flashcard 26: Which electoral system uses ranked-choice voting?

Answer: Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). Voters rank preferences; lowest eliminated until majority found.

Flashcard 27: Identify a characteristic of Instant Runoff Voting.

Answer: Voters rank candidates by preference. Eliminates need for separate runoff elections.

Flashcard 28: What is the effect of a high electoral threshold?

Answer: Reduces the number of small parties in parliament. Eliminates parties with minimal electoral support.

Flashcard 29: Identify a disadvantage of proportional representation.

Answer: Can lead to fragmented legislatures. Multiple small parties may complicate government formation.

Flashcard 30: Which electoral system uses ranked-choice voting?

Answer: Instant Runoff Voting (IRV). Voters rank preferences; lowest eliminated until majority found.

Flashcard 31: Which system is most likely to result in a single-party majority?

Answer: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Winner-take-all districts favor dominant party control.

Flashcard 32: Identify an electoral system with high voter choice.

Answer: Open-list proportional representation. Voters select both party and specific candidates.

Flashcard 33: What does STV stand for in electoral systems?

Answer: Single Transferable Vote. Ranked-choice system for multi-member constituencies.

Flashcard 34: Which system uses multi-member districts?

Answer: Proportional representation. Multiple seats per district enable proportional allocation.

Flashcard 35: What is a hybrid electoral system?

Answer: Combines features of different electoral systems. Blends multiple electoral mechanisms for balanced outcomes.

Flashcard 36: Which system is more likely to produce minority governments?

Answer: Proportional representation. Fragmented representation often prevents single-party control.

Flashcard 37: What distinguishes open-list from closed-list proportional representation?

Answer: Voters can influence candidate order in open-list. Open-list allows voters to select specific candidates.

Flashcard 38: What is a safe seat?

Answer: A district where one party consistently wins. Predictable outcomes reduce competitive campaigning.

Flashcard 39: Identify a consequence of low voter turnout.

Answer: Less representative electoral outcomes. Reduced participation weakens democratic legitimacy.

Flashcard 40: Which system can result in 'wasted votes'?

Answer: First-Past-The-Post (FPTP). Votes for losing candidates don't contribute to representation.

Flashcard 41: Which system is more likely to produce minority governments?

Answer: Proportional representation. Fragmented representation often prevents single-party control.

Flashcard 42: What is an advantage of a mixed electoral system?

Answer: Balances proportionality and local representation. Combines constituency links with proportional outcomes.

Flashcard 43: What is an advantage of a two-round system?

Answer: Reduces vote splitting and increases legitimacy. Ensures winner has broader support than plurality.

Flashcard 44: Identify a disadvantage of proportional representation.

Answer: Can lead to fragmented legislatures. Multiple small parties may complicate government formation.

Flashcard 45: Identify the primary goal of proportional representation.

Answer: To allocate seats based on vote percentage. Ensures legislative seats match party vote shares proportionally.

Flashcard 46: What is malapportionment?

Answer: Unequal representation due to uneven district sizes. Population imbalances create unequal voting power.