Question 1

Texas's Latino and African American populations combined comprise

Accepted Answer

A)  less than half of the white population. 
B)  more than twice the white population. 
C)  more than half of the state's total population. 
D)  about the same as the Anglo population.

Question 2

Why have recent redistricting efforts in Texas been so controversial?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why have recent redistricting efforts in Texas...

Question 3

Describe how potential voters in Texas learn about candidates and issues. What appear to be the primary factors in voter choices (deciding who to vote for)?Do you think voters get accurate and unbiased information? How might voters become better informed?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how potential voters in Texas learn...

Question 4

Which of the following is not true of Texas campaign finance regulations for state offices?

Accepted Answer

A)  Restrictions on donation amounts apply only to some judicial candidates. 
B)  There are no disclosure requirements by candidates. 
C)  Lawmakers may not lobby for clients before state agencies. 
D)  Treasurers of campaign committees are required to file periodically with the Texas Ethics Commission.

Question 5

In order to be qualified to vote in Texas, one must meet all of the following qualifications except be

Accepted Answer

A)  18 years of age on Election Day. 
B)  a citizen of the United States. 
C)  a registered voter for at least 30 days prior to the election. 
D)  a two-year resident of the state.

Question 6

Of the various socioeconomic factors that influence voter turnout, which is considered the strongest?

Accepted Answer

A)  Gender 
B)  Religion 
C)  Party affiliation 
D)  Education

Question 7

The main reason for the development of direct primaries was

Accepted Answer

A)  protection of party decisions from the influence of uninformed voters. 
B)  decreasing the domination of party bosses and allowing more participation by party members. 
C)  ending the interference of progressives in party business. 
D)  saving money and making things more efficient.

Question 8

Most voters in Texas learn about candidates for office through

Accepted Answer

A)  Twitter. 
B)  television ads. 
C)  newspaper ads. 
D)  debates.

Question 9

Manipulating legislative district lines to favor a political party or group is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A)  grandfathering. 
B)  gerrymandering. 
C)  cracking and packing. 
D)  carpetbagging.

Question 10

Which of the following is not a reason that fewer women than men seek elected office?

Accepted Answer

A)  Women are not allowed to run for elected office unless they have completed a graduate degree. 
B)  Women face greater difficulty in raising money to pay campaign expenses. 
C)  Women tend to shoulder more responsibilities for home and family than men do. 
D)  Women face age-old prejudices.

Question 11

By 2015, Texans had elected Latino candidates to which offices?

Accepted Answer

A)  State Board of Education and agriculture commissioner 
B)  Texas legislature, governor, and attorney general 
C)  Only local governments 
D)  The state Supreme Court, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and Texas legislature

Question 12

Which of the following is the most likely reason that La Raza Unida did not continue to be politically effective?

Accepted Answer

A)  Third parties are not legally allowed to participate in Texas politics. 
B)  The Texas Democratic Party has adopted issues appealing to Hispanic voters. 
C)  The Republican Party has pushed all other parties out of existence. 
D)  The Hispanic population in Texas has declined since the 1970s.

Question 13

The Texas Election Code requires that primary voters

Accepted Answer

A)  keep their party affiliation secret until all votes have been counted. 
B)  never declare their party affiliation. 
C)  declare their party affiliation when registering to vote. 
D)  declare their party affiliation at the time of voting in the party's primary.

Question 14

For a candidate to win a general election, she must receive a ________ of the total votes cast.

Accepted Answer

A)  plurality 
B)  simple majority 
C)  two-thirds majority 
D)  three-fourths majority

Question 15

Which of the following are not now required by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments?

Accepted Answer

A)  The abolition of literacy tests in voter registration. 
B)  A formula for determining which jurisdictions need preclearance from the U.S. Department of Justice. 
C)  Some jurisdictions must use bilingual ballots and other election materials. 
D)  States must provide some form of absentee or early voting.

Question 16

Why was the white primary so effective at preventing minorities from exercising their right to vote?

Accepted Answer

A)  People who do not vote in the primary are not allowed to vote in the general election. 
B)  White Democrats nominated white candidates who virtually always won the general elections in the south. 
C)  It made primary elections too expensive for minorities to afford. 
D)  White primaries were really organizing meetings for the Ku Klux Klan.

Question 17

Normally, the first primary election in Texas is held on the

Accepted Answer

A)  second Saturday in May of even-numbered years. 
B)  fourth Saturday in July of even-numbered years. 
C)  second Tuesday in April of even-numbered years. 
D)  first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years.

Question 18

Literacy tests were implemented to ensure

Accepted Answer

A)  voters cast an informed ballot. 
B)  minorities could not vote. 
C)  the financial stability of the voter. 
D)  voters were citizens.

Question 19

Describe the official qualifications to register and vote in the state of Texas. What changes would you suggest to the official qualifications and why? If you would not suggest any changes, explain why you think Texas has the best possible voter qualification requirements.

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Describe the historical progress made by women seeking elected office in Texas. What challenges do female candidates still face in running for office? What might be done to increase the representation of women in state government? Why might it be important for women to be more equally represented?

Accepted Answer

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Exam 5: Campaigns and Elections