Elections Flashcards
(44 cards)
What are the 5 primary functions of elections?
1) Elections provide a means of selecting those who will hold public office and exercise the authority attached to such positions
2) Elections extend participation in that task to the citizens at large
3) Elections allow for the transfer of political offices in a peaceful manner
4) Elections establish the basis for what is considered “legitimate authority” through consent of the governed
5) Elections serve as a means for holding popularly elected publish officials accountable to those they represent
How are elections tied to the following terms of “authorization” and “accountability”?
Authorization: What is authorized? -Who holds and exercises power -Reestablishes individuals to have power -Individuals who sit on or behalf Accountability: Limited mandate -Elections -Accountable to electorate -Fall or maintain given public choice
What is the electoral system according to Mintz et. al?
The system is used to translate the votes that people cast into the composition of the legislature and the selection of government.
What are the 5 essential components to an electoral system?
1) Franchise
2) Electoral Districts
3) Voter Registration
4) Electoral Administration
5) Rule of Voting
If inclusion is a principle that guides us in determining how democratic a society is, what is a good indicator?
the issue of franchise
What is “universal suffrage”
- Inclusion is sustained
- Vote isn’t exclusive
- Legal age and status required and those who do have the right to vote.
What is franchise?
the right to vote
What counteracts the idea that the US is more progressive with franchise evolution?
- Civil rights movement
- Slavery
- Racism in South
- Franchise was not practised
In 1867, what percent of those who resided in Canada were eligible to vote?
about 15%
In 1867, which group was allowed to vote in Canada?
Male “British Subjects”, property owners who were thirty years of age.
When were women excluded from the franchise in Canada (federally)?
Until the end of WWI
What groups were excluded from voting in Canada?
- Chinese
- Immigrants from Austro-Hungarian Empire
- Aboriginals
When did Aboriginals get the right to vote inCanada?
1960
What three groups of people (not races) were denied franchise inCanada?
- Judges
- Mentally Infirm
- Prisoners
Why were judges denied franchise?
- Impartiality
- Independence of court
Why were prisoners denied franchise?
- Broken social contract
- Certain rights removed
When was the charter used to challenge the legality of judges and mentally infirm?
1988
When did Parliament enact legislation that gave prisoners serving less than 2 years the right to vote? When did the Supreme Court use that prisoners had the right to vote given the Charter?
- 1993
- 2002
When were African Americans and women granted the vote in the US?
Through the period 1869-1920
When were Aboriginals given the vote, and when were Chinese given the vote in the US?
- 1924
- 1926
What is the situation with prisoners and the vote in the US?
- Prisoners remain different according to state law. There is no equivalent guarantee in the US Constitution–it is statutory and determined by states.
- States have authority over electoral laws
- Different laws given where you are a prisoner in the US
Estimates in Florida are that about ___of the adult population in___had served or was serving a prison sentence. If state law suspends the right of prisoners and past felons, their___is removed and___an impact on the results.
- 1 in 10 (10%)
- 2010
- participation
- without
What was the 2000 election fiasco in the US?
Recounts in Florida where GW Bush defeated Al Gore.
- Mainly African Americans imprisoned who labour democrats
- Al Gore maybe would have won
What are the number of electoral districts dependent upon?
Geographic size and population
