Texas Govt 1133 – Exam 3 Study Sheet

These flashcards cover key concepts, terminology, and important milestones in public opinion, political parties, campaigns, elections, and voter participation in Texas.

Public Opinion

Values & attitudes about issues & leaders.

Agents of Public Opinion

Family, education, peers, media, events.

Madison's View on Factions

Factions are inevitable in society.

De Tocqueville's View on Public Opinion

Public opinion rules America.

Gallup

Known as the father of modern polling.

Types of Polls

Straw poll, random sample, stratified sample, exit poll, tracking poll, push poll.

Horse Race Focus

A polling effect that emphasizes competitive positioning.

Conservative Ideology

Advocates for limited government and tradition.

Liberal Ideology

Advocates for active government and equality.

Low-Info Rationality

Voters use shortcuts like party identification and personality.

Roles of Political Parties in Texas

Recruit, fundraise, educate, mobilize voters.

Democrat Dominance Period

1873–1940 in Texas politics.

Shivercrats

1950s Texas Democrats who supported some Republican policies.

Symbols of Political Parties

Donkey for Democrats, Elephant for GOP.

GOP Factions

Business, MAGA, evangelical groups within the GOP.

Dem Factions

Urban liberals and minorities within the Democratic Party.

Future Shift in Texas Politics

Growth of Latinos and youth may make Texas more competitive.

Election Dates in Texas

First Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Primaries in Texas

Open system with runoffs, includes a Sore-Loser Law.

Voter Rights Milestones

Polling challenges including the 24th Amendment and Smith v Allwright.

19th Amendment

Granted women's suffrage in 1920, ratified in Texas in 1919.

Modern Voting Rules in Texas

Requires 18+ age, US citizenship, and 30 days of Texas residency.

Turnout Statistics

Texas voting turnout is among the bottom 5 historically.

Political Efficacy

The belief that you can influence government.

Types of Political Participation

Includes inactives, voting specialists, campaigners, and activists.

Voter ID Law (2011/2013)

Debate on whether it suppresses voting or prevents fraud.

Turnout Metrics

Voter Age Population (VAP) vs Voting Eligible Population (VEP).

Campaign Money Limit

$3.5k per race limit ($7k total for multiple races).

Lasswell Quote

Politics is who gets what, when, and how.