Chapter 6: Voter and Voter Behavior – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
How are party identification and straight ticket voting related?
answer
Someone who identifies with a party is more likely to cast a straight ticket vote.
question
For what main reason do most states require voter registration?
answer
To prevent fraudulent voting and to identify voters in terms of their party preference and thus their eligibility to take part in close primaries
question
How was the poll tax used as a voting qualification?
answer
It was a stab list in the south and use as a way to make African-Americans not vote
question
What group of persons (cannot voters) are barred from voting in most states?
answer
Dishonorably discharged persons from the military, mentally incompetent/mentally disabled, aliens, convicted felon's while incarcerated, religious beliefs - voting is idolatry
question
Name at least four devices that were used to keep African-American (and in some cases Latin Americans and Native Americans) from voting.
answer
Poll tax, gerrymandering, literacy test, voter identification laws
question
What was the grandfather clause? What was its purpose?
answer
A clause in registration laws allowing people who do not meet registration requirements to vote if they or their ancestors had voted before 1867. It's purpose was so that all the white men could vote in the black men could not vote
question
What are the three types of voting?
answer
Straight ticket voting, split ticket voting, independent voting
question
What is "time-zone fallout" and how does it affect a person's decision to vote?
answer
This occurs when the mews is broadcasting information on the current standings on one side of the country when the other side of the country hasn't voted yet. This turns people away from voting because the feel like their candidate has already lost/won based on the polls from a different time zone.
question
Why did the federal government take more and more control over the setting of voter qualifications in the 1950s - 1980s?
answer
The civil rights movement pressure to Congress to ensure African-American voting rights. They needed to implement the 15th amendment and they did this with the voting rights act of 1965
question
What are sociological factors that influence how voters cast their ballots?
answer
Education
Gender
Age
Income
Occupation
Race
Ethnicity
Religion
Geography
Family
question
Explain "split-ticket" voting.
answer
When a voter votes for candidates in different parties for different offices.
question
Who exercises the "Franchise" in the United States?
answer
Nearly every citizen over the age of 18
question
Why do election officers keep poll books?
answer
To help keep track of who is qualified to vote.
question
Why is it a good thing to purge the pool books every few years?
answer
To eliminate those who moved or died
question
What is the motor voter law?
answer
Anyone who is registering/renewing a drivers license can register to vote.
question
What is motor voter law and what is its purpose?
answer
Every state must allow eligable citizens to register to vote when they apply for/renew their drivers license. It's purpose is to make it easier for all Americans to register to vote and to maintain their registration.
question
What are the requirements states ask for to be able to vote?
answer
Citizenship
Residence
Age
question
Why did the 18 year old vote come about in 1971?
answer
If you are old enough to go to war you are old enough to vote.
question
Explain "ballot fatigue".
answer
The farther down the ballot an office is the fewer the number of votes will be cast for it.
question
What people - sex, religion, work, occupation, education - support the Democratic Party? The Republican Party?
answer
Republican party - more education, older people, men, Protestants, South and heartland, suburban America, smaller cities and rural areas, higher income
Democrat party- Less education, younger people, women, Catholics/Jews, Latinos and African-Americans, big cities of north and east, less income
question
Early voting requirements and restrictions in the United States (late 1700s and early 1800s)
answer
Must be a white male and a property owner. Some restrictions were sex, religious beliefs, race, age, tax payment qualifications.
question
What does the Constitution say about who can or cannot vote?
answer
The Constitution does not say that aliens cannot vote. The framers left the power to set suffrage qualifications to each state, states cannot violate any part of the constitution when they sent suffrage requirements. States cannot have a different qualifications for voting in states and federal elections.
question
15th Amendment
answer
All races can vote
question
19th Amendment
answer
Females can vote
question
23rd Amendment
answer
DC citizens can vote
question
24th Amendment
answer
No taxes requirements to vote
question
26th Amendment
answer
Anyone over 18 can vote
