Question 1

To get onto the ballot in Texas as an independent candidate requires

Accepted Answer

A)  a filing fee of $5,000. 
B)  a petition containing a significant number of voter signatures. 
C)  a letter of permission from the secretary of elections. 
D)  a filing fee of $10,000. 
E)  nothing; anyone who fills out the proper paperwork can run. 
A)  a filing fee of $5,000. 
B)  a petition containing a significant number of voter signatures. 
C)  a letter of permission from the secretary of elections. 
D)  a filing fee of $10,000. 
E)  nothing; anyone who fills out the proper paperwork can run.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

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 vote in smaller numbers. 
D)  The residency requirement for new voters is six months. 
E)  Texas has weak political parties. 
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 vote in smaller numbers. 
D)  The residency requirement for new voters is six months. 
E)  Texas has weak political parties.

Question 3

The Supreme Court declared that the white primaries used in Texas were in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

During much of the twentieth century, what was one benefit to Texas of having a one-party state?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ideological in-fighting was kept to a minimum. 
B)  Elected officials stayed in office longer and built up seniority. 
C)  It helped increase voter turnout, especially among minority voters. 
D)  It led to easier recruitment of qualified candidates for office. 
E)  Government was able to accomplish more in the policy arena. 
A)  Ideological in-fighting was kept to a minimum. 
B)  Elected officials stayed in office longer and built up seniority. 
C)  It helped increase voter turnout, especially among minority voters. 
D)  It led to easier recruitment of qualified candidates for office. 
E)  Government was able to accomplish more in the policy arena.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Political participation is critical for any state. Describe some of the historical problems associated with restrictions on the right to vote for racial minorities and women. How were these restrictions overcome? How do political parties seek to increase participation today?

Accepted Answer

Political participation is indeed critic

Question 7

When a voter must declare a party affiliation before the day of voting, the election is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  open primary. 
B)  closed primary. 
C)  special election. 
D)  convention. 
E)  uncontested primary. 
A)  open primary. 
B)  closed primary. 
C)  special election. 
D)  convention. 
E)  uncontested primary.

Question 8

In the 1950s, who were known as the Shivercrats?

Accepted Answer

A)  supporters of Governor Alan Shivers's bid for the White House in 1952 and 1956 
B)  conservative Democrats who voted for Republican presidential candidates 
C)  liberal Republicans who supported Democrat Alan Shivers's governorship 
D)  poor rural Democrats who could not afford to buy heating oil because of soaring energy costs 
E)  conservative Republicans who voted for Democratic presidential candidates 
A)  supporters of Governor Alan Shivers's bid for the White House in 1952 and 1956 
B)  conservative Democrats who voted for Republican presidential candidates 
C)  liberal Republicans who supported Democrat Alan Shivers's governorship 
D)  poor rural Democrats who could not afford to buy heating oil because of soaring energy costs 
E)  conservative Republicans who voted for Democratic presidential candidates

Question 9

It is difficult getting on the ballot in Texas as an independent candidate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

In Texan elections, the ______ play(s) the largest role in running campaigns.

Accepted Answer

A)  national party 
B)  state party 
C)  candidates 
D)  media 
E)  local party 
A)  national party 
B)  state party 
C)  candidates 
D)  media 
E)  local party

Question 11

Which of the following is a function of special elections?

Accepted Answer

A)  to choose which candidates will run in the general election 
B)  to fill vacancies in elected offices 
C)  to allow voters to vote directly on public policy 
D)  to choose which candidates will run in the primary elections 
E)  to elect judges to the Texas supreme court 
A)  to choose which candidates will run in the general election 
B)  to fill vacancies in elected offices 
C)  to allow voters to vote directly on public policy 
D)  to choose which candidates will run in the primary elections 
E)  to elect judges to the Texas supreme court

Question 12

To win a primary election in Texas requires an absolute majority.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The most local voting district is called the

Accepted Answer

A)  precinct. 
B)  county. 
C)  city. 
D)  caucus. 
E)  township. 
A)  precinct. 
B)  county. 
C)  city. 
D)  caucus. 
E)  township.

Question 14

In Texas, the most local level of a party organization is the county.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Texas has instituted early voting in order to expand participation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Since 1876, women have been able to vote in state but not federal elections in Texas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Texans tend to vote less than the national average.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Which of the following is not true about parties and elections in Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)  If Texas is to become a competitive two-party state, the Democrats need to win some statewide elections. 
B)  Voter participation in Texas is quite low. 
C)  Due to the expense of campaigns, candidates are often very wealthy individuals. 
D)  The key to success in future Texas elections is a party's ability to mobilize the Hispanic vote. 
E)  Republicans are secure as the dominant party in Texas. 
A)  If Texas is to become a competitive two-party state, the Democrats need to win some statewide elections. 
B)  Voter participation in Texas is quite low. 
C)  Due to the expense of campaigns, candidates are often very wealthy individuals. 
D)  The key to success in future Texas elections is a party's ability to mobilize the Hispanic vote. 
E)  Republicans are secure as the dominant party in Texas.

Question 20

The main role of the precinct convention is to

Accepted Answer

A)  nominate candidates for state and local office. 
B)  develop the party platform in preparation for the state convention. 
C)  select delegates for the county convention. 
D)  mobilize grassroots support in the precinct. 
E)  raise money for future campaign efforts. 
A)  nominate candidates for state and local office. 
B)  develop the party platform in preparation for the state convention. 
C)  select delegates for the county convention. 
D)  mobilize grassroots support in the precinct. 
E)  raise money for future campaign efforts.

Exam 21: Parties and Elections in Texas

To get onto the ballot in Texas as an independent candidate requires

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

The Supreme Court declared that the white primaries used in Texas were in violation of the U.S. Constitution.

During much of the twentieth century, what was one benefit to Texas of having a one-party state?

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

Political participation is critical for any state. Describe some of the historical problems associated with restrictions on the right to vote for racial minorities and women. How were these restrictions overcome? How do political parties seek to increase participation today?

When a voter must declare a party affiliation before the day of voting, the election is called a(n)

In the 1950s, who were known as the Shivercrats?

It is difficult getting on the ballot in Texas as an independent candidate.

In Texan elections, the ______ play(s) the largest role in running campaigns.

Which of the following is a function of special elections?

To win a primary election in Texas requires an absolute majority.

The most local voting district is called the

In Texas, the most local level of a party organization is the county.

Texas has instituted early voting in order to expand participation.

Since 1876, women have been able to vote in state but not federal elections in Texas.

Texans tend to vote less than the national average.

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

Which of the following is not true about parties and elections in Texas?

The main role of the precinct convention is to

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