POLS Unit 2

How do most people participate in the political system?

Through voting, running for office, participating in marches/protests, donations, rallies, writing letters or emails, and discussing issues with family/friends.

What is a rational voter?

A voter who votes only if the personal benefits outweigh the costs, with costs being time.

Who votes?

Educated people and senior citizens are more likely to vote; people with less education are less likely to vote.

Why do some states have higher voter turnout?

They are swing states, also known as battleground states, which mainly decide elections.

How could voter turnout be increased?

Making it easier to vote, increasing education, and fostering a moralistic culture.

Who determines voter qualifications?

States determine voter qualifications for state elections; the federal government for federal elections.

15th Amendment

Banned race discrimination in voting but restricted to males over 21.

19th Amendment

Banned gender discrimination in voting, allowing women to vote.

24th Amendment

Banned poll taxes in voting.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

What is the responsible party model?

A model where parties recruit candidates, educate voters, organize legislatures, and provide alternatives for voters.

What are the types of primaries?

Open, Closed, Semi-closed, Blanket, and Jungle primaries.

What is a Primary Election?

An election allowing voters to select candidates for the general election.

What is a Runoff Election?

A second-round election to determine the winner when no candidate achieves a majority.

What is a General Election?

An election that determines the officials who will hold public office at various levels.

What is a Midterm Election?

Elections for all members of the House and one third of the Senate, occurring every 2 years.

What is an Initiative?

Allows citizens to propose new laws or amendments through a petition.

What is a Referendum?

Allows citizens to approve or reject laws or policies enacted by the legislature.

What is a Recall Election?

An election allowing voters to remove elected officials from office before the end of their term.

What do national party committees do?

Responsible for day-to-day operations of the party, sustaining it between election cycles.

When is negative campaigning successful?

When it points out genuine problems with the opponent, causes doubt, and connects with voters' worries.

Baker v. Carr

Supreme Court case establishing 'one person, one vote' and allowing federal courts to intervene in state districting.

Reynolds v. Sims

Supreme Court case mandating state legislative districts must be roughly equal in population.

What are the functions of legislatures?

Lawmaking, Representation, Oversight, Budget Approval, Constituent Services, Debate and Deliberation.

Why do incumbents win?

They hold office and control redistricting; incumbents generally have advantages over challengers.

What is apportionment?

The distribution of seats in a legislative body and allocation of funds within the state budget.

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating electoral constituency boundaries to favor one party or class.

What are the types of legislative sessions?

Biennial sessions, special sessions called by the governor, regular legislative sessions.

What do committees do?

Review, amend, and debate proposed legislation, overseeing government operations.

Who determines the membership of legislative committees?

Party leaders in each chamber of congress or state legislature.

What is pigeonholing?

When a bill goes to committee and is ignored or not acted upon, effectively dying in committee.

What are the requirements for election to the Texas State Legislature?

Minimal formal qualifications, but many informal disqualifications; typically affluent, educated individuals.

How is legislative leadership chosen?

By members of each party in the legislature through internal elections.

How long is the legislative session in Texas?

140 days every 2 years.

What is the principle-agent model?

Legislature relies on agents to execute laws, with oversight and investigatory powers over the executive.