Please answer the following questions in paragraph form. Please write in complete sentences. 1. How does the voter turnout rate in the United States compare to the other industrialized nations of the world? Why is this so? What evidence is there that easing voter registration would increase turnout? Would you take any specific steps to raise voter turnout? Explain.

2. How does the Electoral College system work? Do you prefer it to direct popular election? Who serves in this college? Describe the outcome of the 2000 presidential campaign. Who objected? Did it threaten the legitimacy of our political system?

3. Define interest groups. What do Americans generally feel about interest groups? What are some of the common characteristics of groups today? How do interest groups in the United States differ from groups in other democracies? 4. Discuss how size, intensity, and resources determine the likely effectiveness of an interest group. Please use at least one outside source. All sources must be properly cited.