Safe Seats

Definition

A safe seat is an electoral district in a legislative body which is regarded as fully secure, for either a certain political party, or the incumbent representative personally or a combination of both. In a safe seat it is a safe bet that the current office holder or their party will win reelection. Unlike safe seats, swing seats tend to change control from one party to the next, and cannot be relied upon to vote a certain way in an election.

Example

Questions

1. What is a safe seat?

2. About how many US congressional districts are safe seats?

3. Why are there so many safe seats in the U.S. Congress?

4. Safe seats are not explicitly listed in the U.S. Freaking Constitution. What makes safe seats legal?

5. Are safe seats good for American democracy?

6. Describe an example of safe seats in current events.

7. What emoji would best summarize the meaning of safe seat?

8. What do safe seats stop Congress from doing?

9. Who do safe seats benefit?

10. If we were to try to get rid of safe seats, what institution would have change the law to limit safe seats?

Remember!

Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw safe seat! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.

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Further Review