Election Administration & Procedures Flashcards
7 cards from real CMC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Election Administration & Procedures flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a 'post-election audit'?
Answer: To verify that the voting equipment accurately counted the ballots by hand-counting or reviewing a sample
Post-election audits check the accuracy of voting equipment by manually reviewing a random sample of ballots and comparing results to the machine totals.
What triggers an automatic recount in most U.S. jurisdictions?
Answer: A margin of victory that falls within a threshold specified by state law
Most states mandate automatic recounts when the margin between candidates falls within a statutory threshold, often expressed as a percentage of votes cast.
What is the '100-foot rule' or campaign-free zone at polling places?
Answer: A prohibition on campaigning, distributing literature, or displaying candidate materials within a specified distance of a polling place entrance
Most states establish an electioneering-free buffer zone around polling place entrances where no campaign activity, signage, or solicitation is permitted.
What is 'ranked-choice voting' (RCV)?
Answer: A voting method where voters rank candidates in order of preference, allowing lower-ranked choices to be counted if a voter's top choice is eliminated
RCV allows voters to indicate first, second, and further preferences; if no candidate wins a majority outright, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated and those votes transfer to next preferences.
What is required when a municipal clerk must call a 'special election'?
Answer: Compliance with state law governing notice periods, ballot content, and funding for the special election
Special elections must follow the same statutory requirements as regular elections regarding notice, publication, polling place setup, and funding, though they may have distinct rules for specific circumstances.
What does 'voter roll maintenance' or 'list maintenance' entail under federal law?
Answer: Regularly updating voter registration rolls to remove deceased voters, those who have moved, and ineligible individuals using approved processes under the NVRA
The NVRA requires jurisdictions to conduct ongoing, non-discriminatory list maintenance to keep rolls accurate while protecting eligible voters from improper removal.
Which of the following best describes the role of a 'poll watcher' or 'election observer'?
Answer: An individual authorized by a candidate, party, or ballot measure committee to observe polling place procedures without interfering
Poll watchers are appointed by candidates or parties to observe the election process and report irregularities, but they may not interact with voters or interfere with voting.