Most Americans Can’t Answer These Basic Questions About U.S. Politics

Not every American is an expert on politics, but there are some basic facts about U.S. politics every American should know. From the difference between the political parties to the purpose of the Electoral College, you might be surprised how many Americans can’t answer these basic questions about U.S. politics. Most people are taught these political facts in school, but it's easy to forget them if you don't discuss politics often. If you think you know U.S. politics pretty well, test your knowledge with these basic questions about U.S. politics that the average American can’t answer.

What are the three branches of the U.S. government?

There are three branches of government in the United States: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has a specific purpose and the three branches were established by the U.S. Constitution.

How many political parties are there in the U.S.?

In the United States, there are two major political parties. The two major parties are the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. For a president to be selected, they have to receive at least 270 votes from the Electoral College.

How many members are in the Senate?

Each state in the United States has two Senators. The Senate has a total of 100 members as part of the Legislative Branch of the U.S. government.

What is the U.S. Constitution?

The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It defined the three government branches as well as the scope and framework of the U.S. government.

What is a swing state?

Depending on how an election goes, swing states are the states that could be won by either the Republican or Democratic candidate.

How many amendments to the U.S. Constitution have there been?

The U.S. Constitution is made up of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments to the Constitution.

How many members of the House of Representatives are there?

There are 435 members of the House of Representatives. The Senate and the House of Representatives make up the Legislative Branch of the United States.

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

There are currently nine justices on the Supreme Court. There wasn't always this number of justices, but there have been nine justices since 1869.

What is a filibuster?

A filibuster is a way to prolong a debate to prevent a vote from happening. This procedure can prevent a bill from becoming a law in the U.S. government.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The Bill of Rights is the name for the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. There are 27 amendments to the Constitution overall.

What is the highest court in the United States?

The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States. This court is part of the Judicial Branch of the United States government.

What is a midterm election?

While presidential elections are held every four years, mid-term elections are held two years into a presidential term. Midterm elections give U.S. citizens the opportunity to vote for members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

Checks and balances in the U.S. government are a way to prevent any of the governmental branches from having too much power. This system allows each branch of government to respond to the decisions of the other two branches.

What does separation of powers mean in the government?

Separation of powers is a part of checks and balances. This structure separates power and responsibilities to separate branches of the government to prevent any branch from having too much power.

When was the U.S. Constitution adopted?

The U.S. Constitution was written in 1787 and was adopted in 1788. This occurred when New Hampshire became the ninth state in the country to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

What is impeachment?

In the United States government, Congress has the ability to bring up charges of wrongdoing by a government official through a process known as impeachment.

How often is a census conducted in the United States?

The U.S. government conducts a census every 10 years as a way to gather data about all U.S. residents. When a census is conducted, U.S. residents are required by law to respond.

What is the meaning of naturalization?

Lawful residents of the United States can become U.S. citizens through a process known as naturalization. Residents have to meet certain requirements to start this process.

Who can issue an Executive Order?

Only the President of the United States can issue a directive known as an Executive Order. This type of directive is a way for the president to manage the operations of the government.