GOVT 2306 (Exam 3)

Why is voting fundamental to democracy?

It allows citizens to choose leaders and influence policy.

What has been the historical trend of voting rights in the U.S.?

Expansion, though recent restrictions raise concerns.

Why does voter turnout matter?

It shapes who wins elections and policy outcomes.

How does U.S. voter turnout compare globally?

Lower than most developed democracies.

What is an election?

A process where citizens select leaders or decide policy.

Why are elections essential to representative democracy?

They link citizens to government.

Who controls election administration?

States.

What constitutional clause governs elections?

Times, places, and manner clause.

What is a primary election?

Election to choose party nominees.

What is an open primary?

Voters may choose either party's primary.

What primary system does Texas use?

Open primary.

How is party affiliation determined in Texas?

By voting in a party's primary.

What is a runoff election?

A second election if no candidate wins a majority.

What is a general election?

Election that determines officeholders.

When are general elections held?

November of even-numbered years.

What is a special election?

Election held outside regular schedule.

Why do off-year elections have low turnout?

Less media attention and fewer races.

What is direct democracy?

People vote directly on laws.

Does Texas allow statewide direct democracy?

No.

What is redistricting?

Redrawing political district boundaries.

Why is redistricting required?

Equal population representation.

How often does redistricting occur?

Every 10 years after census.

What principle guides redistricting?

One person, one vote.

Who redistricts in Texas?

Texas Legislature.

What happens if Texas fails to redistrict?

Legislative Redistricting Board intervenes.

What is gerrymandering?

Manipulating district lines for advantage.

What is partisan gerrymandering?

Favoring one political party.

What is racial gerrymandering?

Diluting minority voting power.

Is racial gerrymandering legal?

No.

What is cracking?

Splitting voters to reduce power.

What is packing?

Concentrating voters into few districts.

What does Voting Rights Act require?

Minorities must have opportunity to elect candidates.

What is a majority-minority district?

District where minorities are majority.

What Supreme Court case sets minority district rules?

Thornburg v. Gingles (1986).

What are the four units of local government?

Counties, cities, special districts, COGs.

Which unit serves as state's administrative arm?

Counties.

How many counties are in Texas?

254.

Why do counties lack legislative power?

They are administrative bodies of the state.

Primary role of county government?

Administration and service delivery.

What are the five functions of counties?

Roads, law enforcement, records, courts, social services.

Who manages county roads?

County commissioners.

Who is chief law enforcement officer?

Sheriff.

What are sheriff responsibilities?

Jail operations and law enforcement.

What is a constable?

Precinct-level official serving legal papers.

Who prosecutes misdemeanor cases?

County attorney.

Who prosecutes felony cases?

District attorney.

Who is main county record-keeper?

County clerk.

Who keeps district court records?

District clerk.

Who collects property taxes?

Tax assessor-collector.

Who prepares county budget in large counties?

County auditor.

What courts resolve minor disputes?

Justice of the Peace courts.

What social services do counties provide?

Emergency welfare assistance.

What is the commissioners court?

Governing body of county.

Is commissioners court a judicial court?

No.

Who leads commissioners court?

County judge.

How is county judge elected?

Countywide, partisan election.

How many commissioners serve?

Four.

How are commissioners elected?

From single-member precincts.

What is their primary duty?

Roads and bridges.

What powers does commissioners court have?

Budget, taxes, contracts, emergency management.

Largest county expense?

Road and bridge maintenance.

Cost of basic road per mile?

$45,000.

Cost for heavy truck road per mile?

$100,000.

What other major costs exist?

Jails, healthcare, disaster relief.

What is a special district?

Single-purpose local government.

How many special districts exist in Texas?

Over 2,300.

Which special district includes all Texans?

School districts.

Two types of special districts?

School and non-school.

Why have special districts increased?

Service demand and population growth.

What is an ISD?

Independent school district.

How many ISDs exist in Texas?

Over 1,200.

Who governs ISDs?

Elected school board.

What does school board do?

Budget, taxes, policy, staffing.

Who manages daily operations?

Superintendent.

Max school district tax rate without voter approval?

$1.04 per $100 valuation.

What is a MUD?

Municipal Utility District.

What services do MUDs provide?

Water, sewage, electricity.

Where are most MUDs located?

Greater Houston area.

Why are MUDs attractive to developers?

Infrastructure funding.

What funds special districts?

Property taxes and user fees

What is a COG?

Regional planning organization.

How many COGs in Texas?

24.

Who participates in COGs?

Local officials and citizens.

What powers do COGs lack?

Taxing and debt authority.

What issues do COGs address?

Transportation, economic development.

What is public policy?

Government action or inaction.

What is agenda setting?

Getting issues noticed by government.

What is policy formulation?

Developing solutions.

What is policy adoption?

Official decision-making.

What is implementation?

Carrying out policy.

Why implementation may differ from intent?

Bureaucratic discretion.

What is policy evaluation?

Measuring effectiveness.

Define efficiency.

Lowest cost outcome.

Define effectiveness.

Achieving goals.

Define equity.

Fair distribution.

What is incrementalism?

Small policy changes.

Who controls education policy?

States.

What does Texas Constitution require?

Efficient public school system.

What funds Texas schools locally?

Property taxes.

What is recapture?

Redistribution from rich to poor districts.