Question 1

The amendment to the U.S. Constitution that prohibited the states from denying the vote due to race was the

Accepted Answer

A)   Thirteenth Amendment.
B)   Fifteenth Amendment.
C)   Nineteenth Amendment.
D)   Twenty-Sixth Amendment. B

Question 2

Trace the progress of women in winning electoral office in Texas.

Accepted Answer

The progress of women in winning electoral office in Texas has been slow but steady. In the early 20th century, women in Texas were not allowed to vote or hold public office. However, in 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

It wasn't until 1928 that Minnie Fisher Cunningham became the first woman from Texas to run for the U.S. Senate. She was a prominent suffragist and political activist who paved the way for future female politicians in the state.

In 1933, Allie Victoria Tennant became the first woman elected to a statewide office in Texas when she was elected to the Texas State Board of Education.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a significant increase in the number of women running for and winning electoral office in Texas. In 1972, Barbara Jordan became the first African American woman from Texas to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1988, Ann Richards was elected as the first female governor of Texas.

Since then, the number of women holding elected office in Texas has continued to grow. In 2018, a record number of women were elected to the Texas House of Representatives, making up nearly a quarter of the chamber.

While progress has been made, women are still underrepresented in Texas politics. As of 2021, women make up only about a third of the Texas Legislature and hold only a few statewide elected offices. However, the trend of increasing female representation in electoral office in Texas is expected to continue in the coming years.

Question 3

In which case did the Supreme Court overturn a ban on unlimited independent expenditures made by corporations, unions, and nonprofit organizations in federal elections?

Accepted Answer

A)   Buckley v. Valeo (1976) 
B)   McConnell v. FEC (2003) 
C)   Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) 
D)   Bush v. Gore (2000)  C

Question 4

Early or absentee voting in Texas for general elections begins how many days prior to the actual date of the election?

Accepted Answer

A)   7 days
B)   17 days
C)   30 days
D)   14 days

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

A)   A plurality
B)   An absolute majority
C)   Sixty percent
D)   A two-thirds majority

Question 6

Which of the following was not a device used in Texas to prevent many lower-income persons and blacks from voting after the Civil War?

Accepted Answer

A)   Grandfather clause
B)   Terrorist tactics by the Ku Klux Klan and other lawless groups
C)   Poll tax
D)   White primary

Question 7

The increased presence of women in policymaking positions has resulted in such changes as

Accepted Answer

A)   increased punishments for family violence and sexual abuse of children.
B)   fewer restrictions on the rights of gun owners.
C)   increased use of the death penalty.
D)   decreases in funding to education and social services.

Question 8

The basic geographic area for conducting national, state, district, and county elections is the

Accepted Answer

A)   congressional district.
B)   voting precinct.
C)   county commissioner precinct.
D)   municipality.

Question 9

The first openly gay mayor of a major U.S. city was

Accepted Answer

A)   Annise Parker, sworn in as mayor of Houston in 2010.
B)   Harvey Milk, sworn in as mayor of San Francisco in 1974.
C)   Barney Frank, sworn in as mayor of Boston in 1980.
D)   Reginald Dwight, sworn in as mayor of Dallas in 1992.

Question 10

Discuss differences in voting behavior among groups in Texas. Which groups vote more than others and why? What might be done to make voting rates more equal among the various groups in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss differences in voting behavior among groups...

Question 11

Which U.S. amendment prevents states from requiring payment of a poll tax as a condition for voting?

Accepted Answer

A)   Fifteenth Amendment
B)   Thirteenth Amendment
C)   Twenty-Fourth Amendment
D)   Fourteenth Amendment

Question 12

Independent, expenditure-only committees that may raise unlimited sums of money to support or oppose political candidates are known as

Accepted Answer

A)   SuperPACs.
B)   SixPACs.
C)   political parties.
D)   interest groups.

Question 13

An election in which party members choose a candidate to run for office in a general election is a

Accepted Answer

A)   special election.
B)   primary election.
C)   general election.
D)   proposition election.

Question 14

La Raza Unida Party was founded by several Latino leaders in order to

Accepted Answer

A)   support the Democratic Party and its candidates.
B)   field candidates for office and mobilize Mexican-American voters.
C)   undermine the primary elections of the Republican party.
D)   offer an alternative to political participation for Latino voters.

Question 15

Describe what candidates in Texas must do to run a successful campaign for office. Include in your discussion a consideration of the need to both raise funds and communicate with voters. Explain one reform that might improve the system, or explain why you think the system needs no reform.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe what candidates in Texas must do...

Question 16

In the U.S. Supreme Court case of Guinn v. United States (1915), the court ruled that

Accepted Answer

A)   poll taxes were illegal.
B)   literacy tests were constitutional.
C)   the grandfather clause was illegal.
D)   the Fifteenth Amendment was unconstitutional.

Question 17

Organizations created to collect and distribute contributions to political campaigns are referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)   federal reserve banks.
B)   political interest groups.
C)   lobbies.
D)   political action committees.

Question 18

The ability of almost all citizens 18 years of age and older to vote is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)   due process of law.
B)   popular sovereignty.
C)   selective franchise.
D)   universal suffrage.

Question 19

In Texas, the responsibility of redistricting rests with the

Accepted Answer

A)   governor.
B)   state legislature.
C)   sunset advisory board.
D)   steering committee of the majority party.

Question 20

The term midterm electionrefers to those

Accepted Answer

A)   elections held by a political party to nominate candidates.
B)   general elections held in non-presidential election years.
C)   elections for purpose of filling office vacancies.
D)   elections for purposes of recalling a government official.

Exam 5: Campaigns and Elections