Governing Texas 2Nd Edition by Anthony Champagne - Test Bank

Governing Texas 2Nd Edition by Anthony Champagne – Test Bank

 

Instant Download – Complete Test Bank With Answers

 

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

Chapter 5: Elections in Texas

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. Wendy Davis had an uphill battle to win the Texas governor’s race because

a.	she appealed to suburban and urban liberal voters.
b.	she won the Latino vote in the Rio Grande Valley.
c.	her personal story was riddled with inconsistencies.
d.	she won the pro-choice Latino votes.
e.	she had the endorsement of Reynaldo Madrigal.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

2. Why should it matter who is elected governor?

a.	The governor of Texas has national stature.
b.	The governor has the power to set the agenda.
c.	The governor has the power to veto legislation.
d.	The governor has the power to influence public policy in the state.
e.	All of the above.

 

 

ANS:  E                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Applying

 

3. In Texas, primary elections are usually held in

a.	March.	d.	August.
b.	April.	e.	November.
c.	May.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

4. Runoff primaries are generally held

a.	the day after the party primary.
b.	the second Tuesday in August.
c.	the second Tuesday in April.
d.	thirty days before the general election.
e.	thirty days after the party primary.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

5. The purpose of a(n) ________ is to allow any registered voter to cast a ballot in either primary, but not both. There are no party restrictions.

a.	primary election	d.	open primary
b.	runoff primary	e.	closed primary
c.	split primary

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

6. What is the purpose of a primary election?

a.	to select a party’s candidate for the general election
b.	to select a party’s delegates for the state convention
c.	to select precinct chairs throughout the state
d.	to select a party’s delegates for the precinct convention
e.	to elect candidates directly to office

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

7. The general election is held the first

a.	Monday in November of even-numbered years.
b.	Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
c.	Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.
d.	Monday in November of odd-numbered years.
e.	Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

8. Major state officials are elected in nonpresidential years because

a.	it is possible that independent and minor party candidates also appear on general election ballots.
b.	it prevents popular presidential candidates from influencing the outcomes of Texas races.
c.	it allows popular Republican presidential candidates to draw more than the usual number of Republican votes.
d.	it increases voter turnout.
e.	it decreases voter turnout.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

9. In Texas, special elections are held for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to

a.	give approval to borrow money.
b.	ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution.
c.	fill vacancies in office.
d.	allow government agencies to undertake long-term debt.
e.	impeach a corrupt politician.

 

 

ANS:  E                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Applying

 

10. Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as ________ in 2006.

a.	Republicans	d.	Reform Party candidates
b.	Democrats	e.	independents
c.	Tea Party candidates

 

 

ANS:  E                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

11. For an independent candidate to get on the ballot in Texas, which requirement must they meet?

a.	He or she must obtain signatures on a petition from registered voters. The signatures must equal 30 percent of the total votes in the last governor’s race.
b.	He or she must gain petition signatures from registered voters who did not previously participate in any political party primary election.
c.	He or she must begin collecting signatures before the major party primaries are held.
d.	They must convince voters who have signed other candidate’s petitions to switch to their petition.
e.	He or she must hold a party convention and adopt a party platform.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

12. Which statement concerning women’s suffrage is correct?

a.	Women were given the right to vote in the original Constitution of 1876.
b.	The Texas Constitution was amended in 1899 to permit women to vote.
c.	Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
d.	Women were given full suffrage rights in Texas in 1932.
e.	Texas was the last state to allow women to vote.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

13. Women were given the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the

a.	Voting Rights Act of 1965.
b.	Fifteenth Amendment.
c.	Nineteenth Amendment.
d.	U.S. Supreme Court decision Newberry v. United States.
e.	Civil Rights Act of 1964.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

14. Texas was the first state in the South to

a.	impose a poll tax.
b.	ratify the women’s suffrage amendment.
c.	elect a black governor.
d.	elect a Latino governor.
e.	join the Confederacy.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

15. The poll tax disenfranchised

a.	farmers.	d.	Hispanic people.
b.	poor people.	e.	women.
c.	Black people.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Evaluating

 

16. The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections in ________ but remained legal in state elections in Texas until ________.

a.	1966; 1964	d.	1964; 1966
b.	1902; 1966	e.	1964; 1971
c.	1902; 1964

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

17. Which of the following was NOT regularly used in Texas as a method of disenfranchising many minorities before the 1960s?

a.	the white primary
b.	early registration
c.	poll taxes
d.	the Jaybird primary
e.	the requirement of a federal citizenship test

 

 

ANS:  E                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

18. A ________ was a tax charged to voters as a prerequisite for registration.

a.	registration tax	d.	poll tax
b.	voter tax	e.	ballot fee
c.	registration fee

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

19. The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the

a.	Voting Rights Act of 1965.	d.	Civil Rights Act of 1964.
b.	Nineteenth Amendment.	e.	Fifteenth Amendment.
c.	Twenty-Fourth Amendment.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

20. What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?

a.	The Court declared the use of literacy tests a violation of the equal protection clause.
b.	The case compelled Texas to integrate Hispanic students into “whites only” public schools.
c.	It announced that in primary elections states could not restrict voters on account of race.
d.	It restricted the use of closed primaries.
e.	The Court declared the use of poll taxes a violation of the equal protection clause.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Evaluating

 

21. In ________ the U.S. Supreme court held that the state executive committees were acting as agents of the state and were discriminating in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.

a.	Nixon v. Condon	d.	Smith v. Allwright
b.	Grovey v. Townsend	e.	Terry v. Adams
c.	Newberry v. United States

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

22. Which offshoot Democratic party preselected candidates for the Democratic primary and prohibited African Americans from participating?

a.	the La Raza Unida	d.	the Shivercrats
b.	the Ku Klux Klan	e.	the Dixiecrats
c.	the Jaybird Party

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

23. The most important federal law involved in the expansion of the franchise in Texas was the

a.	Civil Rights Act of 1964.
b.	passage of the Fifteenth Amendment.
c.	One-Person, One-Vote Act of 1972.
d.	Voting Rights Act of 1965.
e.	Motor Voter Act of 1993.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

24. The Voting Rights Act has been renewed several times since 1965, and new provisions have been added since then. For example,

a.	bilingual ballots are now required in certain areas where more than 5 percent of voters speak another language.
b.	a current form of photo identification is now required to vote.
c.	proof of residency is now required to vote.
d.	proof of American citizenship is now required to vote.
e.	proof that one is at least 18 years of age is now required to vote.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

25. Which of the following is NOT a requirement to vote in Texas?

a.	U.S. citizenship
b.	being at least 18 years of age
c.	being a resident of Texas
d.	being a resident of the county for 30 days
e.	property ownership

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

26. In what case did the Supreme Court rule that a key section of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional, which affects a key provision requiring Texas to have its new districts approved by the U.S. Department of Justice?

a.	Shelby County v. Holder	d.	Texas v. Holder
b.	Shelby County v. Obama	e.	Abbott v. Holder
c.	Smith v. Allwright

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

27. The Motor Voter Act of 1993

a.	allows states to offer voters “drive-through” voting booths.
b.	allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver’s license.
c.	restricts one’s right to vote because of unpaid traffic tickets.
d.	was declared unconstitutional by the Texas Supreme Court.
e.	allows only citizens with valid Texas driver’s licenses to register to vote.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

28. Approximately what percentage of the state’s voting-age population is registered to vote?

a.	40 percent	d.	70 percent
b.	55 percent	e.	80 percent
c.	60 percent

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

29. Highly partisan legislation passed in 2011 now requires Texans to

a.	vote in only one party primary.
b.	provide photo identification when voting.
c.	register 60 days before the general election.
d.	pass an English language competency test before voting.
e.	show their birth certificates before voting.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

30. Historically, Texans rank in the ________ in terms of national voter participation.

a.	bottom third	d.	top half
b.	top third	e.	bottom quarter
c.	bottom half

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

31. In Texas, the ________ Party usually experiences higher voter turnout than the ________ Party.

a.	Republican; Democratic	d.	Reform; Republican
b.	Democratic; Republican	e.	Independent; Democratic
c.	Reform; Democratic

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

32. Which of the following statements is NOT a possible explanation for why Texas currently has low voter turnout?

a.	Texas has so many elections that voters are often overwhelmed with elections and candidates.
b.	The Texas political culture has been one in which elites have discouraged voting.
c.	The average age of Texans is younger than the national average, and younger voters are less likely to vote.
d.	The residency requirement for new voters is six months.
e.	Texas has weak political parties.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

33. The two most important factors that determine whether someone votes are

a.	age and income level.	d.	ethnicity and age.
b.	income level and education.	e.	age and education.
c.	education and ethnicity.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

34. In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest?

a.	presidential elections	d.	runoff elections
b.	gubernatorial general elections	e.	primary elections
c.	off-year congressional elections

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

35. According to political scientist Daniel Elazar, Texas’s political culture is traditionalist and

a.	individualistic.	d.	communal.
b.	moralistic.	e.	innovative.
c.	socialistic.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

36. Early voting increases the polling period from 12 hours to

a.	2 weeks.	d.	30 days.
b.	2 days.	e.	60 days.
c.	4 weeks.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

37. Early voting in Texas has been shown to produce ________ in voter turnout.

a.	a modest increase	d.	a drastic drop
b.	a significant increase	e.	no discernible change
c.	a modest drop

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

38. The process of ________ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state’s population.

a.	redistricting	d.	census taking
b.	reapportionment	e.	polarization
c.	preclearance

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

39. In Texas, ________ is/are responsible for redistricting.

a.	the governor	d.	county courts at law
b.	the legislature	e.	precinct captains
c.	the courts

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

40. Redistricting in Texas occurs

a.	every 10 years.	d.	after a new governor is elected.
b.	every 4 years.	e.	after each legislative session.
c.	after every general election.

 

 

ANS:  A                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

41. One possible solution to reforming redistricting in Texas is to

a.	allow the courts to redraw the districts.
b.	allow the governor to appoint a commission to redraw the districts.
c.	take the process away from the legislature.
d.	take the process away from the precinct captains.
e.	allow the county courts at law to redraw the districts.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

42. The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called

a.	redistricting.	d.	external validation.
b.	reapportionment.	e.	judicial review.
c.	preclearance.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

43. Preclearance is required by the

a.	Texas Constitution.
b.	Voting Rights Act of 1965.
c.	U.S. Constitution.
d.	U.S. Supreme Court, as in the case of Smith v. Allwright.
e.	Texas legislature.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

44. ________ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.

a.	Independence Day	d.	Halloween
b.	Memorial Day	e.	Thanksgiving
c.	Labor Day

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

45. All of the following are modern-day tactics for preventing certain groups from voting EXCEPT

a.	the presence of broken or malfunctioning voting machines.
b.	voter intimidation.
c.	reducing the number of polling places in certain areas.
d.	canceling an election at the last minute.
e.	providing misleading information to voters.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

46. In Texas elections, the ________ play(s) the largest role in running campaigns.

a.	national party	d.	media
b.	state party	e.	local party
c.	candidates

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Analyzing

 

47. Campaigns attempt to reach voters through all of the following EXCEPT

a.	print and electronic media.
b.	door-to-door campaigning.
c.	involvement in high-profile litigation.
d.	telephone solicitation.
e.	mailed campaign fliers and information.

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Applying

 

48. There is no question that ________ is/are important for candidate success in Texas.

a.	the media	d.	negative campaigning
b.	money	e.	televised debates
c.	face-to-face encounters

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Understanding

 

49. Name recognition often gives ________ a distinct advantage in Texas elections.

a.	Republicans	d.	wealthy challengers
b.	Democrats	e.	women
c.	incumbents

 

 

ANS:  C                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Applying

 

50. The most costly item for most political campaigns is

a.	travel.	d.	media advertising.
b.	security.	e.	food.
c.	fund-raising.

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Understanding

 

51. ________ was the first Republican to hold the office of Texas governor since the end of Reconstruction.

a.	Ann Richards	d.	William R. Clements
b.	George W. Bush	e.	Kay Bailey Hutchison
c.	Rick Perry

 

 

ANS:  D                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Remembering

 

52. One effect of the high cost of campaigns in Texas is that

a.	parties become more important in organizing and funding candidates.
b.	candidates are often very wealthy individuals willing to use their own money in campaigns.
c.	sometimes there is no one willing to run for major statewide office.
d.	candidates increasingly turn to illegal sources of funds.
e.	candidates drop out of high-profile races when the money dries up.

 

 

ANS:  B                    DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Applying

 

TRUE/FALSE

 

1. In order for the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis to win the governor’s race, she would have to win the suburban Republican women voters.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

2. Had Democratic candidate Wendy Davis been elected to the governor’s office, she would have become the second Democratic woman to be elected governor in Texas since World War II.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

3. The primary elections are the second elections held in an electoral cycle.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

4. The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas system a closed primary, because one must declare one’s party affiliation before voting.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

5. Some blame the relatively low voter turnout for Texas elections on the frequency of elections and the large number of candidates.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

6. Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

7. General elections for all national, state, and local offices must be held in November.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

8. The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas primary system an open primary.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

9. It is relatively easy for an independent candidate to get on the Texas ballot.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

10. The Republican Party was the dominant force in Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Remembering

 

11. Poll taxes, such as those used in Texas, disenfranchised poor voters.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

12. The Motor Voter law requires a voter to have a driver’s license.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

13. To register to vote in Texas, a person must have been a resident of Texas for at least 30 days.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Applying

 

14. Texas instituted early voting in order to expand participation.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

15. Anglo Texans have voter turnout levels that are higher than Latino turnout levels.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Understanding

 

16. Reapportionment involves the determination of how district lines will be drawn in each state for the state legislature and Congress.

 

ANS:  F                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

17. Reapportionment involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state’s population.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Remembering

 

18. Texans tend to vote less than the national average.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Understanding

 

19. One reason for low levels of voter turnout in Texas is the low level of educational attainment in the state.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Remembering

 

20. Republicans have won every statewide election in Texas since 1994.

 

ANS:  T                    DIF:    Easy               REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Remembering

 

ESSAY

 

1. Discuss how political parties organize elections and the electorate in Texas.

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

2. Explain why it is difficult to be elected as an independent candidate in Texas.

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

3. Which type of primary (for example, open, closed, or wide open) do you prefer? Why?

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Easy               REF:   Features of Elections in Texas

OBJ:   Describe the types of elections held in Texas and how they work

STA:   6                    MSC:  Understanding

 

4. Discuss and explain at least four reasons why Texas voter turnout is so low. What can be done to increase voter participation?

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Participation in Texas Elections

OBJ:   Explain how the rules for voting affect turnout among different groups of Texans

STA:   7                    MSC:  Analyzing

 

5. List and discuss the reasons why campaigns in Texas are so expensive.

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Analyzing

 

6. Is the U.S. Supreme Court correct in declaring campaign contributions to be free speech? Why or why not?

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Difficult         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Analyzing

 

7. Do large contributors have undue influence on Texas politics?

 

ANS:

Answers will vary.

 

DIF:    Medium         REF:   Campaigns

OBJ:   Present the main features of election campaigns in Texas   STA:   6

MSC:  Analyzing