GOVT 2306 Modules 1 and 2

Purpose of a constitution

to establish procedures for making laws

Most recent attempt to propose a new constitution for Texas

1998

Texas Constitution's limitation on legislature's ability to classify objects for taxation

by declaring in Article VIII's first sentence that 'taxation shall be equal and uniform'

Number of executive offices outlined in Article IV

Six

Influence on many constitutions

They are influenced by the context of the time in which they are written.

Comparison between state and national constitutions

State constitutions are amended more frequently than national constitutions.

First constitution in Texas regarding public education

the 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas

Missouri Plan in the 1975 proposed revision to the Texas Constitution

a nonpartisan commission that reviews candidates for a judicial vacancy, then allows the governor to select appointees from an approved list

Event causing the creation of the Confederate Constitution of 1861

Texas seceded from the United States.

Triggered event by the Democratic Party's return to power in Texas

the constitutional convention of 1875

Mode of selection for the judiciary specified by the constitution

Election

Consequence of passing numerous proposed amendments during one election

Voters may feel both overwhelmed and uninformed.

Contributing factor to the length of the Texas Constitution

A high level of detail is specified in the constitution, including policy matters such as the creation of hospital districts.

Number of articles in the Texas Constitution excluding the preamble

17

Effect of the 1875 constitution on the legislature

The legislature was given less time in session to deliberate and react to events.

Most respected constitution of Texas according to the Handbook of Texas Online

It was simple and direct.

Type of courts established by the constitution

constitutional courts

Initiative promoted by the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas

education

Method to divide authority in the executive branch

The constitution mandated that most of the executive offices be filled through elections.

Branch of Texas government given primacy by the constitution's framers

the legislative branch

Influence on the Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas

the U.S. Constitution

Provision included in the General Provisions article of the constitution of 1845

Total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion.

Total accrued state debt limit

Total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion.

Event prompting 1836 constitution adoption

Fighting during the Battle of the Alamo.

Restriction on creating new counties

New counties created had to be no smaller than 900 square miles and shaped in a square form unless located along the border.

Outcome of 1974 constitutional convention

It failed to receive enough legislative votes to go to the electorate for ratification.

Requirement for Texas readmission to the Union

Texas had to reject laws passed under the Confederacy.

Objective of separating powers

Ensuring the separation of powers.

Change in the constitution of 1866

The governor's term was increased to four years.

Political leaning of framers

Their support for government regulation of economic and social relationships and their fear of potential abuses of authority by holders of public office reflect frontier populism.

Result of Texas Constitution amendment process

Over 700 amendments have been proposed, and over 500 of these have been ratified.

Issue with the Texas Constitution's length and disorganization

The Texas Constitution is extremely difficult to understand.

Tool for citizen voting on laws

Referendum.

Result of dividing powers among multiple authorities

Many lower-level officials have shared responsibilities.

Description of Article XVI of the Texas Constitution

It contains a variety of specific policy items, many of which could have been better placed in other parts of the constitution.

Powers to appoint attorney general and secretary of state

The constitution of 1845 gave the powers to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state to the governor.

Event caused by Texas becoming the 28th state

The adoption of the constitution of 1845.

Reason for White Texans' dislike of the constitution of 1869

It had been created under pressure from the U.S. government and the Radical Republicans.

Framers' reaction reflected in the bill of rights

Through a series of sweeping generalizations aimed at averting the perceived political dangers of the time.

Requirements for constitutional amendment adoption

A proposal (with support from two-thirds of each chamber of the legislature) and ratification (with the support of a majority of citizens) are necessary.

Educational policy in Radical Republican Constitution of 1869

Compulsory school attendance.

Independent candidate qualification for general election

How does an independent candidate qualify for the general election ballot?

nominating petition

by obtaining a required number of signatures on a nominating petition

2021 Texas law provision

increased regulation of voting-by-mail options

Citizens United (2010) ruling effect

It allowed anonymous contributions of unlimited money to political action committees.

nonpartisan election

an election where ballots do not indicate a candidate's party

minor party in Texas

The party's candidate for governor received less than 20 percent of the popular vote in the most recent election.

voter registration criteria in Texas

Voters must reside in the county where they submit their application.

Federal Election Commission (FEC) and Texas Ethics Commission (TEC)

oversee funding for political campaigns

persuadable Texas voters

because just 10-12 percent of voters are registered as independents

defense of campaign finance rules

by arguing that campaign contributions are protected by the right to petition the government and freedom of speech

use of successful poll results in campaigns

to make an election win seem guaranteed

closed primary vs open primary

Closed primaries require voters to be registered with a political party

Texas governor election timing

during "off years" years when there is not a presidential election

modern campaign finance regulation start

in 1972, with the adoption of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA)

primary election purpose

to select a candidate who will represent the party

reason for special election in Texas

to vote on proposed amendments to the state constitution

goal of campaign advertising

helping voters recognize a candidate's name

data mining in voter targeting

analyzing large quantities of information to distinguish voting patterns

avoiding bandwagon effect in news

report what occurs on the day of the election rather than predicting outcomes

vital task for candidate success

getting people to vote for them

getting on primary ballot in Texas

pay a filing fee or collect the required number of signatures

benefit of short online videos in campaigns

Online videos are much cheaper than television advertisements.

highest voter turnout age group in 2020 election

65-74

criticism of Texas Ethics Commission (TEC)

The TEC does not sufficiently follow up on reported ethics violations.

bandwagon effect influence on undecided voters

Voters may choose the candidate they think is most likely to win.

voting requirements in Texas

complete a voter registration form and mail it in 30 days before the election

voting requirement in Texas election

registering to vote at least 30 days before the election

majority votes in Texas primary election

What occurs if no candidate secures a majority of the votes in a Texas primary election?

Runoff election

a runoff election involving the two candidates with the most votes

Political party control effect

Ideological differences between parties become less significant than ideological differences within the dominant party.

Candidates competition in Texas House

other candidates from their district

Compromise of 1877 result

the conclusion of the Reconstruction era

Defining feature of political parties

They allow individuals to run for office using their affiliation.

Democratic Party change during New Deal

Former Republican voters joined the Democratic Party.

Third-party candidates election challenge

The support they receive in polls doesn't translate to votes.

Jim Crow laws effect in Texas

The laws benefited Democrats by disenfranchising Black voters.

Texas early conflict

Texans were deeply divided regarding slavery.

Political realignments

transformations of political parties' compositions

Party organization power restriction

Party organizations lack the ability to choose a party nominee.

Suburban areas voting trend

Younger, more diversified populations are moving to the suburbs as the cost of living rises.

Organizational strength of parties in Texas

Republicans possess significant advantages over Democrats in their organizational strength.

Candidate attraction to political party

The candidate's interests align with the party's goals or platform.

Central issue in pre-party Texas

the threat of Mexico's governmental power

Party succession pattern in Texas

One major party wins most elections for an extended time.

Party caucus

a meeting to identify priorities and work on strategies

Voting requirement in Texas

Citizens must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day.

Political party influence on public debate

by framing the debate using specific terms

Yellow Dog Democrat

a voter who would never vote for a Republican

Election judge selection process

The county party chair submits a list of nominees and the commissioners court appoints a judge from the list.

Voter participation in Democratic primaries

Republicans were unlikely to win in the general election.

Difference between party in government and electorate

The party in the government is made up of elected officials.

Democrats' strategy to maintain power

suppressing Black voters

Governor Edmund J. Davis's administration

constructing public systems and structures

Voting shift during civil rights era

Former Democrats voted for Republican candidates.

People's Party effect on post-Reconstruction politics

by posing a significant challenge to reigning Democrats

Purpose of precinct organizers

to connect local party members to other levels of the party

President Johnson's impact on conservative White Democrats

by authorizing the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act