Exploring Key Political and Legislative Changes in the United States

1.  What changes did Oregon make to its Motor Voter Laws?

2.  Which supporter of federalism warned people of the dangers of political parties?

3.  What impact, if any, do third parties have on US elections?

• Changes to Oregon’s Motor Voter Laws:
  • Implementation of Automatic Voter Registration: Oregon implemented a system where individuals are automatically registered to vote when they interact with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) unless they opt out.
  • Expansion of Eligibility: The law expanded eligibility to vote to more individuals by including those who interact with other state agencies besides the DMV.
  • Impact on Voter Registration Rates: Discuss any data or studies showing how these changes affected voter registration rates in Oregon.
  • Comparison with Other States: Consider how Oregon’s Motor Voter Law compares to similar laws in other states.
• Federalism and Warning against Political Parties:
  • Founding Fathers’ Views: Identify which specific supporter of federalism (likely one of the Founding Fathers) warned against the dangers of political parties.
  • Reasons for the Warning: Discuss the reasons why this individual warned against political parties, such as concerns about factionalism, potential for division, or threats to democratic principles.
  • Relevance Today: Analyze whether these warnings are still relevant today in the context of modern American politics and federalism.
• Impact of Third Parties on US Elections:
  • Historical Context: Discuss the historical role of third parties in US elections, such as the Populist Party, the Green Party, or the Libertarian Party.
  • Electoral Impact: Evaluate the impact of third parties on election outcomes, focusing on examples where they influenced the results (e.g., Ross Perot in 1992, Ralph Nader in 2000).
  • Challenges to Major Parties: Analyze whether third parties serve to challenge or change the policies and platforms of the major parties.
  • Barriers to Success: Discuss the structural and systemic barriers third parties face in gaining significant electoral success, such as winner-takes-all electoral systems and limited media coverage.