question

The principal means of political participation for most Texans is by

answer

Voting

question

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution which prohibited the states from denying the vote to otherwise qualified persons on grounds of race was the

answer

15th Amendment

question

A device used in Texas to prevent many lower income persons from voting during much of the twentieth century was a

answer

Poll tax

question

The method by which blacks were effectively barred from meaningful participation in Texas politics between 1923 and 1944 was

answer

A white primary

question

Texas employed which of the following methods at one time or another during the twentieth century to deny the vote to large groups of individuals?

answer

Literacy test, white primary, and poll tax

question

Amendments to the federal constitution which broadened the franchise were the

answer

15th, 19th, and 26th amendments

question

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993

answer

Required states to make voter registration available at welfare and driver-licensing offices.

question

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments were aimed primarily at increasing political participation among

answer

Ethnic minorities

question

In order to be qualified to vote in Texas, one must meet all of the following qualifications except being

answer

A two year resident of the state, a one year resident of the country, and a six-month resident of the precinct

question

A Texas citizen's status as a registered voter is suspended if he

answer

Changes his permanent address

question

The case of Smith v. Allwright (1944) held that

answer

Since primary elections were a substantive part of the political process, any party rule prohibiting African Americans from membership in the party and participation in its primary election was unconstitutional.

question

The approximate percentage of eligible Texans who voted for governor in 1998 was

answer

25

question

Which of the following is NOT likely to be a factor in low voter turnout

answer

Decreased advertising by candidates

question

The single variable which appears to be the best socioeconomic predictor of the likelihood of an individual to vote is

answer

Years of formal schooling

question

Based on what you know, who is most likely to vote?

answer

Rachel Kingsford whom is 58, an attorney, married, and has an income of $110,000.

question

Early or absentee voting for all elections except run-offs begins how many weeks prior to the actual date of the election?

answer

2 1/2 weeks

question

Which of the following probably has NOT happened because of early voting?

answer

Higher levels of turnout

question

Candidates for which office are chosen by delegate convention?

answer

President of the United States

question

In order to obtain a primary nomination in Texas, a candidate must receive what part of the popular vote?

answer

A simple majority

question

Texas primary elections are classified as

answer

Closed primaries requiring the voter to signify his party membership at the time of registration.

question

A person who votes in the first Democratic primary

answer

May not vote in either the first or second Republican primary

question

The practice of many Texans of voting in the democratic primary and then voting Republican at the general election is

answer

Crossover voting

question

Arranging for voting places, preparing election materials, and canvassing the vote in the Dallas County Republican Primary of 2000 was handled by

answer

The Dallas County Republican Executive Committee

question

The cost of administering primary elections in Texas is paid by

answer

Is declining in percentage terms

question

Turnout in Texas primary elections

answer

Is declining in percentage terms

question

The first primary election in Texas is held on

answer

The second Tuesday in March of even-numbered years

question

Parties are required to conduct primaries if

answer

Their candidate for governor received the 20 percent or more of the voters cast in the most recent gubernatorial election

question

General election day in Texas is

answer

The next Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even- numbered years.

question

The size of the vote necessary for a candidate to win a general election is

answer

A simple majority

question

2000 was a presidential election year. Which of the following offices was filled in Texas at the same time?

answer

Member of the Texas House of Representatives

question

A county with a population of 4,300 inhabitants and a poor tax base is most likely to use which voting method?

answer

Paper ballots

question

Occupying the left-most or topmost column on Texas ballots is(are)

answer

The party which finished first in the most recent gubernatorial election.

question

The size of the vote necessary to win a special election in Texas is

answer

A simple majority

question

A vacancy in which of the following offices is not filled in a special election?

answer

Texas governor

question

A person seeking a place on the Texas ballot as an independent candidate for the office of Commissioner of the General Land Office must

answer

Submit a petition to the Texas secretary of state signed by a number of registered voters equal to one percent of the total vote cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election and who have not voted in a party primary

question

Preparation of the official ballot for general and special elections is done by

answer

The county clerk or elections administrator

question

The securing of Wagstaff Gymnasium on the campus of Tyler Junior College as the poling place for Smith County Precinct 69 in 2000 was done by

answer

The county elections board

question

The element in Texas law which has contributed to the stability of a two party system and placed third party or independent candidates at a disadvantage is

answer

Requiring plurality votes to win a general election

question

The meaningful political conflict in Texas from Reconstruction through the 1950's was

answer

Between liberal and conservative wings of the Democratic Party

question

The issue most responsible for internal division within the Texas Republican Party in the 1990's was

answer

Abortion

question

The principal purposes of party conventions in Texas are to

answer

Select delegates to higher level conventions and set party policy

question

The principal functions of political parties in Texas are

answer

Administering primaries and conducting conventions

question

The party system at the turn of the twenty-first century in Texas is best characterized by which of the following statements?

answer

Texas probably has a two party system- much like that of other American states.

question

The state party platforms are written

answer

By the state party conventions

question

Texas's slates of candidates for the office of presidential elector are nominated by their respective parties at

answer

The state convention

question

Delegates to the party national nominating conventions from Texas are chosen by

answer

The state convention based on the presidential primary results (Republican Party) and a combination of primary results and precinct convention attendance (Democratic Party).

question

Which statement is true of the Texas Republican organization at the turn of the twenty-first century?

answer

The state organization is socially conservative, while local organizations tend to be fiscally conservative.

question

Which would a fiscal conservative be most likely to support?

answer

A balanced government budget

question

Permanent party organizations in Texas

answer

Are loosely controlled by higher levels in the organization.

question

The basic level in the permanent party organization in Texas is occupied by

answer

The precinct chair

question

Returns from the party primaries for statewide office are canvassed by

answer

The state party executive committee

question

The underlying assumption of conservative philosophy is

answer

The good society can be achieved through the result of the efforts of individual entrepreneurs

question

Which policy would a conservative support?

answer

Reduction or elimination of the federal graduated income tax

question

Liberals would support which one of the following policies?

answer

Equal pay for equal work laws regarding women

question

The policy of less government regulation of the economy and more government involvement in social problems is known as

answer

Centrism

question

The political philosophy proclaimed by George W. Bush is known as

answer

Compassionate conservatism

question

Texas's two-tiered, two-party system, in fact, means that

answer

Republicans control statewide offices and Democratic local offices

question

Probably the single factor most responsible for Republican growth in Texas after World War 2 was

answer

The increased size and prosperity of the Texas middle and upper classes

question

Which one of the following geographic areas is a Democratic stronghold in Texas?

answer

El Paso County

question

Which geographic area of Texas is a Republican stronghold?

answer

The Texas Pandhandle and Texas South Plains

question

Of the following lists of candidates for Texas governor during the past two decades, which contains only Republicans?

answer

William Clements, Clayton Williams, and George W. Bush

question

The two trends in Texas electoral politics in the 1990's which are borne out by election returns from 1993-2000 are the

answer

Importance of minority voters and increasing dominance of the Republican Party.

question

The Nineteenth Amendment granted the right to vote to

answer

Women

question

The first women elected to statewide office in Texas was

answer

Annie Web Blanton

question

According to the textbook, what is the principal difficulty faced by women candidates for elective office?

answer

Difficulty in raising money

question

Which of the following legislative initiatives is most likely the result of the increasing importance of women in politics?

answer

Increased attention to public education

question

In Texas politics, African Americans

answer

Overwhelmingly vote Democratic

question

The first elective statewide office in Texas to have been won by a Latino was

answer

Justice of the Texas Supreme Court

question

Latinos

answer

Are no longer certain to vote overwhelmingly Democratic.

question

Texans are most apt to learn political information about candidates through

answer

Advertising materials prepared by or for the candidates

question

Which of the following has NOT been suggested as a possible campaign reform in Texas?

answer

Returning to delegate conventions for the nomination of all candidates

question

When a wealthy individual or political action committee makes a campaign contribution, they are most likely

answer

Buying access

question

A candidate who is seeking statewide office in Texas is most likely to

answer

Rely heavily on media advertising

question

The broadcast media have been criticized for

answer

Focusing on the "Horse-race" aspect of campaigns- who seems to be leading or trailing.

question

A serious candidate for statewide office must have a large campaign budget to cover the cost of

answer

Media Advertising Professional Campaign Consultants Polling (All of the above)

question

Texas campaign finance laws

answer

Tend to emphasize reporting of contributions and expenditures by candidates

question

A corporation wanting to give money to a candidate

answer

Creates a political action committee through which it may channel funds into political campaigns

Govt 2306 Chapters 4 and 5 – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards