Pols207 Exam 2

How do most people participate in the political system

Voting

Rational voter

One who considers the benefits and costs before deciding to vote

Who determines voter qualifications

State laws and federal constitutional amendments

15th amendment

Prohibits racial discrimination (1870)

19th amendment

Prohibits gender discrimination (1920)

24th amendment

Eliminates poll taxes (1964)

26th amendment

Lowers voting age to 18 (1971)

Responsible Party Model

Parties present clear platforms and take responsibility

Texas Primaries

Technically closed but operate like open

Open Primary

Any registered voter can participate

Closed Primary

Only registered party members can vote

Semi-closed Primary

Independent voters can vote wherever they want

Blanket Primary

All voters can vote for any candidate

Jungle Primary

All candidates are on the same ballot, and the top two go to the general election

General Elections

Select officeholders

Primary elections

Select general election candidates

Initiative

Citizens propose new laws or amendments

Referendum

Voters approve or reject legislative actions

Recall

Voters remove officials before term end

National Party Committees

Organize strategies, conventions, and support campaigns, keep party running between elections

National Convention

Supreme authority of the party

National chair

Run day to day operations

What governs parties

State laws

Negative campaigning

Successful when targeting undecided voters

Baker v. Carr

1962- federal courts can intervene in redistricting

Reynolds v. Sims

1964- All state districts must be roughly equal in population

Legislatures

Enact laws, approve budgets, serve constituents, oversee state agencies

Incumbent advantages

Access to resources, name recognition, and networks

Apportionment

Distributing legislative seats among districts by population

Gerrymandering

Drawing districts to favor a party

Regular Session

Odd years, 140 days

Special sessions

Called by governor, 30 days

Committees

Review, amend, and debate bills

Committee membership is determined by

legislative leadership

Pigeonholing

Killing a bill by not debating it

Texas House requirements

Age of 21, residence period

Texas Senate requirements

Age of 26, residence period

Legislative leaders are chosen by

Peer vote in legislative chamber

Principal-agent model

Legislature (principal) creates laws and executive (agents) implement them