Question 1

In Latin America, majoritarian systems are far more common than proportional representation systems.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

As voters gain more confidence in elections, how might an electoral management board change?

Accepted Answer

A) from more partisan to expert-based membership criteria 
B) from a mixed recruitment model to partisan-based recruitment 
C) from less to more autonomy from government 
D) from presidential-based appointments to congressional-based appointments

Question 3

The use of electoral thresholds creates a trade-off between:

Accepted Answer

A) parties with nationwide appeal vs. parties with regional appeal 
B) constituency service vs. party discipline 
C) malapportionment vs. voter turnout 
D) voters from abroad vs. voters in the country

Question 4

Recent downward trends in voter turnout throughout Latin America can be attributed to:

Accepted Answer

A) the novelty of democratic practices 
B) negative campaigning 
C) dissatisfaction with government 
D) the growth of political parties

Question 5

Compared to other regions of the world, what is the level of voter turnout in Latin America?

Accepted Answer

A) above average 
B) average 
C) below average 
D) below average only in countries with compulsory voting

Question 6

How can foreign actors support electoral procedures? What are the advantages and disadvantages to allowing foreign actors to play this role?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How can foreign actors support electoral procedures?...

Question 7

Generally speaking, electoral rules can be changed more easily than any other regime institution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

If five parties are running in a district with 10 seats, what is the effective threshold?

Accepted Answer

A) 10% 
B) 20% 
C) 40% 
D) 50%

Question 9

Malapportionment in Latin America tends to favor urban, working-class areas.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Bolivia's Evo Morales and the indigenous?

Accepted Answer

A) The indigenous represent his most significant opposition. 
B) The indigenous remain unmotivated by Evo Morales. 
C) Evo Morales has actively repressed the indigenous. 
D) Evo Morales may have overestimated his support from the indigenous.

Question 11

The electoral cycle begins when campaigning starts, and ends the moment all votes have been counted.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which type of ballot structure best encourages party discipline?

Accepted Answer

A) A closed and blocked ballot. 
B) A closed and unblocked ballot. 
C) An open and unblocked ballot. 
D) Ballot structure has no impact on party discipline.

Question 13

What is fused voting?

Accepted Answer

A) the requirement that all citizens must vote 
B) the prohibition of voting for different parties on the same ballot 
C) the holding of national and local elections on the same day 
D) when a voter defaces the ballot

Question 14

Proportional representation places a priority on the representation of diverse
 interests. What other parts of an electoral system might work to undermine this priority?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Proportional representation places a priority on the...

Question 15

Which group has most benefited from malapportionment in Latin America?

Accepted Answer

A) rural, conservative groups 
B) urban, working-class groups 
C) suburban, middle-class groups 
D) rural, indigenous groups

Question 16

In a PR electoral system, an open list would be more closely associated with constituency service than would be a closed list.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Direct democracy guarantees the legislature a role in policymaking.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

If a country uses one large district to elect all members of a legislative body, what is the trade-off?

Accepted Answer

A) more proportional representation, but weaker ties between voters and politicians 
B) less proportional representation, but greater party discipline 
C) less proportional representation, but greater party fragmentation 
D) more proportional representation, but more malapportionment

Question 19

Which type of electoral design would best allow a small party that caters to narrow interests to survive?

Accepted Answer

A) a low district magnitude 
B) a largest remainder method of voting 
C) a high electoral threshold 
D) a hybrid system

Question 20

Which of the following tends to reduce the proportionality of proportional representation in Latin America?

Accepted Answer

A) low district magnitudes 
B) low electoral thresholds 
C) compulsory voting 
D) external voting

Exam 7: Electoral Systems: The Core of Democratic Politics

In Latin America, majoritarian systems are far more common than proportional representation systems.

As voters gain more confidence in elections, how might an electoral management board change?

The use of electoral thresholds creates a trade-off between:

Recent downward trends in voter turnout throughout Latin America can be attributed to:

Compared to other regions of the world, what is the level of voter turnout in Latin America?

How can foreign actors support electoral procedures? What are the advantages and disadvantages to allowing foreign actors to play this role?

Generally speaking, electoral rules can be changed more easily than any other regime institution.

If five parties are running in a district with 10 seats, what is the effective threshold?

Malapportionment in Latin America tends to favor urban, working-class areas.

Which of the following best describes the relationship between Bolivia's Evo Morales and the indigenous?

The electoral cycle begins when campaigning starts, and ends the moment all votes have been counted.

Which type of ballot structure best encourages party discipline?

What is fused voting?

Proportional representation places a priority on the representation of diverse interests. What other parts of an electoral system might work to undermine this priority?

Which group has most benefited from malapportionment in Latin America?

In a PR electoral system, an open list would be more closely associated with constituency service than would be a closed list.

Direct democracy guarantees the legislature a role in policymaking.

If a country uses one large district to elect all members of a legislative body, what is the trade-off?

Which type of electoral design would best allow a small party that caters to narrow interests to survive?

Which of the following tends to reduce the proportionality of proportional representation in Latin America?