Midterm 2 Terms Review

Question 1

How do most people participate in the political system?

Answer 1

• Voting

Question 2

What is a rational voter?

Answer 2

• Votes on decisions based on their own preferences, beliefs, and interests.
• Logical Voter, not a rash one

Question 3

Who votes and who does not?

Answer 3

CAN:
- 18 year old Citizens of the US
- Registered to Vote

CAN’T
- Non-Citizens
- Felons
- Minors

Question 4

Why do some states have higher voter turnout?

Answer 4

• Demographics
• Cultures, like Moralistic who tend to vote more
• Competitive Races
• Political Mobilization

Question 5

How could voter turnout be increased?

Answer 5

• Voter Registration Feform
• Education Reform
• Expand Voting Access
• Outreach and Mobilization
• Youth Engagement

Question 6

Who or what determines voter qualifications?

Answer 6

• Both Federal and State Laws

Question 7

15th Amendment

Answer 7

• Outlaws denial of voting based on race, color, or condition of servitude

Question 8

19th Amendment

Answer 8

• Prohibits the denial of voting rights based on sex

Question 9

23rd Amendment

Answer 9

• District of Columbia, U.S. Capital, can vote

Question 10

24th Amendment

Answer 10

• Prohibits poll taxes or other taxes on federal elections

Question 11

26th Amendment

Answer 11

• Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18

Question 12

Responsible Party Model

Answer 12

• Deals adherence to the party platform
• Elected as Republican, you are a republican
• If your policies fail, you would leave office and resign
• Not in the US, no way to enforce adherence to the party platform
• IN THE US WE USE THE CANDIDATE CENTERED MODEL

Clear Policy Differences
- Party Units
- Party Accountability
- Strong Bonds
- Party Centered Elections

Question 13

Open Primary

Answer 13

• Vote in either party regardless of party affiliation

Question 14

Closed Primary

Answer 14

• Only vote for their party representatives

Question 15

Semi-Closed

Answer 15

• Closed Primary, but Independent Voters can vote in that election as well

Question 16

Blanket Primary

Answer 16

• Top 2 candidates, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election

Question 17

General Election

Answer 17

• Occur every few years
• Elect Representatives to legislative bodies

Question 18

Presidential Election

Answer 18

• Vote for the President

Question 19

Primary Elections

Answer 19

• Held by political parties to elect their candidates for the general election

Question 20

By-elections or Special Elections

Answer 20

• Occur during the normal term time in case of resignation, death, or expulsion

Question 21

Referendums and Initiatives

Answer 21

• Referendums are direct vote which the legislation is asked to vote for
• Initiatives is a citizen’s introduction for a vote onto the ballot

Question 22

Run-Off

Answer 22

• No candidate in the primary or general receives the majority
• Second round of voting

Question 23

National Party Committees do?

Answer 23

• Promote Party Platform
• Organize and coordinate national conventions
• Fundraise and outreach
• Support

Question 24

When is a negative campaigning successful?

Answer 24

• When the negative attacks are accurate and substantiated
• When the opponents weakness is highlighted
• Voters Confused
• Competitive, limited Knowledges, Timed

Question 25

Baker v. Carr

Answer 25

- 1962 - Violated 14th Amendment - Voting Districts are now roughly equal in population for fair representation

Question 26

Reynolds v Sims

Answer 26

- 1964 - One Person, One Vote - Rural Counties had more representation than urban ones. - Violated Equal Protection Clause 14th Amendment - Alabama - Voting District are to be re-drawn to adjust for changes in time

Question 27

Functions of Legislatures

Answer 27

- Law Making - Representation - Oversight and Accountability - Budgetary Authority - Conflict Resoltuion

Question 28

Why do incumbents win?

Answer 28

- People already in office - Name Recognition, Media coverage - Campaign Resources - Service, Party Support - Experience

Question 29

What is apportionment?

Answer 29

- Allocating seats based on population - House of Representatives

Question 30

What is gerrymandering?

Answer 30

- Re-Drawing electoral district in favor of one political party

Question 30

Regular Session

Answer 30

- Schedules, Pre-determines - Proposed Legislation, Bugdets, Oversign

Question 30

Opening and Closing

Answer 30

- Opening or closing ceremony

Question 30

Special Sessions

Answer 30

- Address emergencies that arise

Question 30

Committee Work

Answer 30

- Only committees meet

Question 31

Floor Debates and Voting

Answer 31

- Argue and debate on proposed bills and then voting upon them

Question 32

What do committees do?

Answer 32

- Legislative Review - Policy Development - Oversign and Investigation - Budget and Services - Confirmations of Hearings - Reporting

Question 33

Who determines the membership of legislative committees?

Answer 33

- House: Speaker of the House - Senate: Lieutenant Governor

Question 34

What is Pigeonholing?

Answer 34

- Intentionally delaying or avoiding action - Bill is not rejected or Passed

Question 35

Requirements for Election to Texas State Legislature

Answer 35

- 21 House of Representatives - 26 senate - State Resident 2 years, district resident for 1 year - US Citizen and Registered to Vote - Not a Felony - Ballot Access

Question 36

How is Legislative Leadership Chosen?

Answer 36

- Speaker of the House chosen by a caucus/election - Majority Leader and Minority Leader by party caucuses

Question 37

How long is the legislative session in Texas?

Answer 37

- Every 2 years, max of 140 days - Odd numbered years

Question 38

Principle Agent Model

Answer 38

- Legislature, cannot implement laws, only pass - Require an agent, that being the executive branch, Governor