Election Day is fast approaching, but how much do you really know about this worldwide practice? Every country has its own way of voting, electing, and giving its people a voice. After you register to vote, take this quiz and test your knowledge!
Why do we vote on a Tuesday?
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Voting on a Tuesday might seem odd, but the practice began so that farmers are able to go to Church on Sunday and still make it to the polls.
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Voting on a Tuesday might seem odd, but the practice began so that farmers are able to go to Church on Sunday and still make it to the polls.
How many states allow early voting?
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42 states in addition to the District of Columbia allow their residents to vote early and avoid long polling lines.
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42 states in addition to the District of Columbia allow their residents to vote early and avoid long polling lines.
What amount of eligible U.S. residents voted in the 2016 presidential election?
Correct
In the last U.S. presidential election, only 58% of possible voters decided to go to the polls and make their voices heard.
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In the last U.S. presidential election, only 58% of possible voters decided to go to the polls and make their voices heard.
What percentage of possible voters cast their votes during the 2018 midterm elections?
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In the 2018 midterm elections, 53% of eligible voters cast their votes for the position. It was the highest turnout for the midterms since 1978.
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In the 2018 midterm elections, 53% of eligible voters cast their votes for the position. It was the highest turnout for the midterms since 1978.
Which constitutional amendment permitted Black men the right to vote?
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The 15th Amendment was brought into the Constitution in 1870. This allowed Black men the right to vote, though Black women were not permitted until later in history.
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The 15th Amendment was brought into the Constitution in 1870. This allowed Black men the right to vote, though Black women were not permitted until later in history.
How many states offer same-day voter registration?
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Only 21 states allow you to register to vote when you go to vote. This is also offered by the District of Columbia.
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Only 21 states allow you to register to vote when you go to vote. This is also offered by the District of Columbia.
To win the presidency, how many Electoral College votes does a candidate need?
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To win the president position, a candidate only needs 270 out of 538 possible votes.
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To win the president position, a candidate only needs 270 out of 538 possible votes.
Which age group votes the most?
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The 65+ community frequently votes the most out of any age group. Last midterm election, 66% of this age group voted.
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The 65+ community frequently votes the most out of any age group. Last midterm election, 66% of this age group voted.
The voting age wasn't always 18. When was the approved age lowered from 21 to 18?
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In 1972, the 26th Amendment allowed 18-year-olds to participate in the election for the first time. It's been the norm ever since.
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In 1972, the 26th Amendment allowed 18-year-olds to participate in the election for the first time. It's been the norm ever since.
True or false: I need to re-register to vote every election.
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False! Once you register once, you are registered forever. You only need to re-register if you move. It's always good to double-check!
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You chose:
False! Once you register once, you are registered forever. You only need to re-register if you move. It's always good to double-check!
Trump's victory over Hillary in the 2016 election was decided by approximately how many votes?
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When Trump won the election, the split was only about 80,000. For context, the total amount of voters was around 138 million.
Incorrect
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When Trump won the election, the split was only about 80,000. For context, the total amount of voters was around 138 million.
True or False: Your employer is required by law to give you time off to vote.
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While this might vary state to state, in most areas, your employer is required to let you leave work to go vote. Make your voice heard!
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While this might vary state to state, in most areas, your employer is required to let you leave work to go vote. Make your voice heard!
True or False: Avoiding voter registration can keep you from being called to jury duty.
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False! Even though you don't register with your state, you can still be called to jury duty. These people are typically pulled from tax rolls, state ID/ driver's license lists, and welfare recipient data.
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False! Even though you don't register with your state, you can still be called to jury duty. These people are typically pulled from tax rolls, state ID/ driver's license lists, and welfare recipient data.
Which gender votes the most?
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Overall, women tend to vote in elections more than men do. In 2018, 55% of female voters cast their ballot as opposed to 51.8% of eligible men.
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You chose:
Overall, women tend to vote in elections more than men do. In 2018, 55% of female voters cast their ballot as opposed to 51.8% of eligible men.
On Election Day, what did George Washington spend his campaign budget on?
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When the time came, George Washington didn't want his campaign money to go to waste, so instead, he got wasted!
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When the time came, George Washington didn't want his campaign money to go to waste, so instead, he got wasted!
Who is barred from voting in Ohio?
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Believe it or not, there is actually a law that prevents idiots from voting in Ohio. It reads, "No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector."
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Believe it or not, there is actually a law that prevents idiots from voting in Ohio. It reads, "No idiot, or insane person, shall be entitled to the privileges of an elector."
Americans famously vote on a Tuesday. What days do other countries typically vote?
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For most other nations, Sunday is the day of the week to cast their ballot since most people are not at work. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
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For most other nations, Sunday is the day of the week to cast their ballot since most people are not at work. Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it?
Who created the two-party symbols of an elephant and a donkey?
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In 1874, professional cartoonist Thomas Nash lampooned the rival political parties in Harper’s Weekly magazine. It stuck!
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In 1874, professional cartoonist Thomas Nash lampooned the rival political parties in Harper’s Weekly magazine. It stuck!
Who was the first woman to run for President?
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In 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first female presidential candidate. She was also the first woman to open a stock brokerage firm.
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In 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first female presidential candidate. She was also the first woman to open a stock brokerage firm.
Which country makes voting mandatory?
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Eligible Australian voters are required to participate in elections. If a voter doesn't show up to the polls, they are fined the Aussie equivalent of $15 dollars.
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You chose:
Eligible Australian voters are required to participate in elections. If a voter doesn't show up to the polls, they are fined the Aussie equivalent of $15 dollars.
True or False: Astronauts can vote from space.
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True! Astronauts have been able to vote since 1997, thanks to new technology and confidential clerks who submit the ballot for them.
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True! Astronauts have been able to vote since 1997, thanks to new technology and confidential clerks who submit the ballot for them.
Which of these is not a voting requirment?
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Though a voter's license is an example of a valid form of identification, there are other ways of confirming one's residency.
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Though a voter's license is an example of a valid form of identification, there are other ways of confirming one's residency.
Which country has no voter registration deadline?
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In the great northern nation of Canada, there is no deadline to register to vote. On Election Day, the entire country is permitted to register upon arrival if they want.
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In the great northern nation of Canada, there is no deadline to register to vote. On Election Day, the entire country is permitted to register upon arrival if they want.
Only one U.S. state has automatic voter registration. Which is it?
Correct
In Oregon, voters are automatically registered to vote. This is the first and only state to do so.
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In Oregon, voters are automatically registered to vote. This is the first and only state to do so.
Which state includes a "None of these candidates" as an option when voting?
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Nevada is the only state to include an option for picking none of the offered candidates. This is also done in India, Greece, Ukraine, and Colombia.
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Nevada is the only state to include an option for picking none of the offered candidates. This is also done in India, Greece, Ukraine, and Colombia.
In Picoza, Ecuador, a brand once won the mayoral election. What was the brand selling?
Correct
In 1967, an anti-chafing foot powder brand won the election after it promised to help 4,000 citizens with hygiene and well-being.
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In 1967, an anti-chafing foot powder brand won the election after it promised to help 4,000 citizens with hygiene and well-being.
Up until 2012, it was illegal in South Carolina to purchase what item on Election Day?
Correct
Alcohol was prohibited from being purchased on Election Day in South Carolina until 2012 when the state finally revoked the law.
Incorrect
You chose:
Alcohol was prohibited from being purchased on Election Day in South Carolina until 2012 when the state finally revoked the law.
Which nation has the highest voter turnout?
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Belgium has the highest rate of voters with 87.2%. Just behind that is Sweden with 82.6% and Denmark with 80.3%.
Incorrect
You chose:
Belgium has the highest rate of voters with 87.2%. Just behind that is Sweden with 82.6% and Denmark with 80.3%.
How many states have made it illegal to take a photo with your ballot?
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It is illegal in 16 states to take a photograph with your ballot. Doing so might result in a hefty fine or even jail time, so be sure to check before you snap a pic!
Incorrect
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It is illegal in 16 states to take a photograph with your ballot. Doing so might result in a hefty fine or even jail time, so be sure to check before you snap a pic!
Which state does NOT have a ban on guns in polling places?
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Only 6 states have explicitly banned guns in polling places. These states are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, but not New Mexico.
Incorrect
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Only 6 states have explicitly banned guns in polling places. These states are Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, but not New Mexico.
Which country was the first to allow women to vote?
Correct
New Zealand became the first country to allow women to vote in 1893. It wasn't long until everyone else followed suit.
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New Zealand became the first country to allow women to vote in 1893. It wasn't long until everyone else followed suit.
When did the United States end mechanical lever voting?
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The classic mechanical lever voting machine was ended in the US by 2010, being replaced by electronic voting or paper scannable ballots.
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You chose:
The classic mechanical lever voting machine was ended in the US by 2010, being replaced by electronic voting or paper scannable ballots.
In the 1872 United States election, President Grant had an unusual opponent. Who did he run against?
Correct
In the 1872 election, President Grant ran against a dead man. Horace Greeley, his opponent, died during the process.
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In the 1872 election, President Grant ran against a dead man. Horace Greeley, his opponent, died during the process.
Which country allows its people to vote on the entry of a new citizen?
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Lichtenstein is one of the smallest countries on earth. The whole country community has a vote on whether someone's skills qualify them to become a citizen.
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Lichtenstein is one of the smallest countries on earth. The whole country community has a vote on whether someone's skills qualify them to become a citizen.
By 2012, how many voting machines used punch-card voting?
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Only 0.02% of machines in 2012 used punch-card machine voting. No more hanging chad!
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Only 0.02% of machines in 2012 used punch-card machine voting. No more hanging chad!
Who built the first lever voting machine back in 1892?
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Jacob H. Myers was the inventor of the lever voting machine. He said they were necessary to prevent "rascaldom."
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Jacob H. Myers was the inventor of the lever voting machine. He said they were necessary to prevent "rascaldom."
True or False: Election Day is specified in the Constitution.
Correct
The election day is not specified in the Constitution. For many years, states picked their own election days.
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You chose:
The election day is not specified in the Constitution. For many years, states picked their own election days.
Which country has elections that last for several weeks?
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With over 800 million eligible voters, Indian elections can take a very long time—sometimes even months.
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You chose:
With over 800 million eligible voters, Indian elections can take a very long time—sometimes even months.
What is the voting age in Brazil?
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In Brazil, the youngest age you can be to legally vote is 16 years old. It is also the age in Austria, Nicaragua, and Argentina.
Incorrect
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In Brazil, the youngest age you can be to legally vote is 16 years old. It is also the age in Austria, Nicaragua, and Argentina.
Which country allows online voting?
Correct
In Estonia, all voting can be completed from the comfort of a laptop. However, in-person voting still remains the more popular option.
Incorrect
You chose:
In Estonia, all voting can be completed from the comfort of a laptop. However, in-person voting still remains the more popular option.
Quiz Results
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