Governing Texas: Chapter 06 - Campaigns and Elections

Flashcards covering the foundational aspects, history, and contemporary issues of campaigns and elections in Texas as presented in Chapter 6.

What determines who wields power in Texas politics and shapes the nature of democratic politics in the state?

Elections and the rules and procedures surrounding them.

In what type of election is an absolute majority required to avoid a runoff primary?

Primary elections.

What is the difference between an open primary and a closed primary?

An open primary allows voting in either, but not both, primaries, while a closed primary requires a voter to declare their party affiliation.

When are general elections in Texas held, and what is their purpose?

General elections are held in November, and voters cast ballots to select public officials.

How do city and school board elections in Texas differ from national and state elections regarding party labels?

They are nonpartisan, meaning candidates' political affiliations are not listed on the ballot.

What specific functions do special elections serve in Texas?

They are used to fill vacancies in office, give approval to borrow money, or ratify or reject amendments to the Texas Constitution.

According to the transcript, which state officials are elected in nonpresidential midterm years like $2022$ and $2026$?

The Governor, Lieutenant governor, and Attorney general.

What term refers to the act of voting or the right to vote?

The franchise.

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in $1920$, gave women the right to vote?

The Nineteenth Amendment.

What was the primary purpose of the poll tax and early registration requirements in Texas history?

To disenfranchise poorer people and migrant workers.

What was the White primary, and when was it instituted in Texas?

The White primary was a design to minimize the strength of African American voters, instituted in $1923$.

What was the outcome of the Voting Rights Act of $1965$ regarding African American registration in Texas by $1971$?

Registration increased from approximately $35 \text{ percent}$ to $65 \text{ percent}$.

What are the current age and residency requirements to vote in Texas?

A voter must be $18$ years of age, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of Texas and the county for $30$ days.

Which law allows Texans to register to vote while applying for or renewing a driver's license?

The motor voter law.

Under Texas voter ID laws, which form of identification is accepted, and which is notably disallowed?

Concealed weapons permits are allowed, but student identification cards are not.

How long is the period for early voting in Texas?

A two-week period before Election Day.

What change occurred regarding straight-ticket voting in Texas as of $2020$?

The straight-ticket option is no longer available.

What were the major changes introduced by the legislation known as $\text{SB } 7$?

It banned $24$-hour and drive-thru voting, banned unsolicited mail-in ballot applications and drop-boxes, and restricted absentee voting.

What is the difference between reapportionment and redistricting?

Reapportionment determines how many congressional seats a state receives, whereas redistricting redraws district lines for the Texas legislature and U.S. House.

Why does the winner of the Republican primary typically win the statewide election in Texas?

Because of the current era of Republican dominance in the state.

What requirements must an independent candidate meet to get on the ballot in Texas?

They must obtain signatures equal to $1 \text{ percent}$ of the total votes in the last governor's race from registered voters who did not participate in a primary.

What is the single biggest expense in a Texas political campaign?

Media ads.

Which interest group spent millions in $2016$ Republican primaries to defeat backers of former speaker Joe Straus?

Empower Texans.

What percentage of the statewide vote did Donald Trump receive from Latino voters in Texas in $2024$ according to exit polls?

$55 \text{ percent}$.

According to Michael Li of the Brennan Center for Justice, what percentage of the statewide vote must Democrats win to control a majority of seats in the Texas House?

About $57 \text{ percent}$.