State Elections, Campaigns, and Voter Enfranchisement

Comprehensive practice questions covering the history of voter enfranchisement, election types, state-specific voting rules, and modern campaign strategies.

What were the four requirements to be a voter at the founding of the United States?

Voters had to be: 1. White, 2. Male, 3. Property Owner, and 4. Age $21+$.

When was the property requirement for voting removed in the United States?

In the $1830s$.

Which constitutional amendment gave African American men the right to vote in $1870$?

The $15th$ Amendment.

Which amendment established women's suffrage in $1920$?

The $19th$ Amendment.

What is the purpose of the $24th$ Amendment ratified in $1964$?

It abolished poll taxes.

What change did the $26th$ Amendment ($1971$) make to voting rights?

It lowered the voting age to $18$.

What are the typical voter turnout percentages for Presidential, Midterm/State, and Local elections?

Presidential: $60 ext{\%}$; Midterm/State: $35 ext{-}40 ext{\%}$; Local: $20 ext{-}25 ext{\%}$.

What is the difference between Voter Age Population (VAP) and Voting Eligible Population (VEP)?

VAP includes everyone $18$ and older (including non-citizens and incarcerated felons), while VEP is more accurate as it includes only US citizens who are not incarcerated.

Which states hold 'off-year' elections immediately following a midterm year?

KY, LA, and MS.

Which states hold 'off-year' elections immediately following a presidential year?

VA and NJ.

What is 'Ballot Roll-Off'?

A phenomenon where voters only vote for top-of-ticket races (like president or senator) and skip lower-level state and local races.

What is the 'Coattail Effect'?

When a popular presidential candidate 'carries' other candidates from the same party into office, benefiting down-ballot races.

How do statewide races differ from district races in state elections?

Statewide races (e.g., Governor, Attorney General) involve campaigning across the entire state and are more expensive; district races (e.g., State House, State Senate) have a smaller electorate and are less professionalized.

What are the three key areas of election administration over which states have broad authority?

1. Voting Laws (registration, ID, mail voting), 2. Election Timing (primary dates, poll hours), and 3. Candidate Rules (qualifications, filing requirements).

What did the National Voter Registration Act (1994), or 'Motor Voter', accomplish?

It was a federal law that simplified the voter registration process.

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder (2013)?

It struck down Section VI of the Voting Rights Act of $1965$, voiding the requirement for local governments to get federal preclearance for election changes.

What is a 'Closed Primary'?

A primary used in $15$ states where a voter must be registered with a specific party in advance to participate; it is considered the least accessible type.

Which primary system involves the top two vote-getters advancing to the general election regardless of party affiliation?

The Top-Two Primary, used in $5$ states (CA, WA, LA, AK, and NE).

What is the historical context behind the use of runoff elections in nine southern states?

They were originally designed to dilute the impact of African American voters.

Why did US campaigns shift from party-centered to candidate-centered?

Civil service reform ended the patronage system, primary elections gave power to voters instead of conventions, and modern campaigns require specialized professional expertise.

What are the four essential components of a modern campaign?

Polling, Public Relations, Mobilization, and Campaign Finance.

What is the difference between Paid Media and Earned Media in a campaign?

Paid Media (ads, mailers) is controlled by the candidate, while Earned Media (news coverage) is free and often seen as more credible but offers less candidate control.

What is considered the 'Gold Standard' of voter contact strategies?

Canvassing, which involves direct, one-on-one door-to-door contact with voters.

In order of priority, what are the three main factors that determine most voting decisions?

1. Party, 2. Personality, and 3. Policy.