POLS 207 EXAM 2 TAMU SMITH

1) How do most people participate in the political system

Political participation includes voting, running for office, participating in marches or demonstrations, giving money, attending rallies, writing letter or emails, or discussing issues with friends

2) What is a rational voter

A "rational" voter is one who will vote only if the personal benefits outweigh the costs

3) Know who votes and who does not

Women are more likely to vote than men, Socioeconomic: High education/income means more likely to vote. Partisan competition related explanations: High turnout in swing states Media predicting winners early explanation: Discourages later voters

4) Why do some states have higher voter turnout?

Voter registration differs significantly across states, same day registration (also election day registation) vs. 15-30 days in advance, Online, mail, ID, location, race, political ideology, Voter turnout rates are higher in "swing" or "battleground" states (their vote "counts" more)

5) How could voter turnout be increased?

-Secure convenient locations

-Secure larger venues

-More voting machines (lines will be shorter), Better, more efficient workers, Shorter & better designed ballots

6) Who or what determines voter qualifications?

-State determines voter qualifications. Generally includes voter eligibility and verification (IDs), voting locations and ease of voting, online Internet registration, ballot requests and voting.

8) Know the responsible party model

1. Develop and clarify alternative policy positions for the voters

2. Educate the people about the issues and simplify choices for them

3. Recruit candidates for public office who agree with the parties' policy positions

4. Organize and direct their candidates' campaigns to win office

5. Hold their elected officials responsible for enacting the parties' policy positions after they are elected

6. Organize legislatures to ensure party control of policymaking.

10) Know the different types of elections (i.e.

general, primary, initiative, recall, etc

11) What do the national party committees do?

hold a national convention to formally select a party's presidential candidate

12) When is negative campaigning successful?

Negative campaigning - soliciting voter support by attacking one's opponent

-It is successful when they focus on issues instead of a personal attack. Political novices are more influenced by negative ads than their older counterparts.

13)Baker v. Car

Stated that you had to take into account geographic proximity. Districts had to be drawn in a meticulous manner

14) Know the functions of legislatures

-Enacting laws: Collectively consider 101,000 per session, pass about 19,000 Considering constitutional amendments, gubernatorial appointments, and state courts: Often shared processes

-Approving budgets: May be single most important function

-Serving constituents: Requires great deal of legislators' time

-Overseeing state agencies: Frequently need to challenge state administrators

15) Why do incumbents win?

-Visibility - great visibility and name recognitions, spend time during term campaigning for reelection.

-Resources of office - acquire greater resources, casework, 5 S's (space, salary, session length, staff, structure

-Money - attract more campaign contributors than challenges

-Professionalism & Careerism - high pay makes them devote all of their time to politics

16) What is apportionment?

The determination of how many residents should live in a representative's district; must be equal (one person, one vote)

17) What is gerrymandering?

The drawing of electoral district boundary lines to grant political advantage to a particular party, candidate, or group

18) Know the different types of legislative sessions

-annual - held by most states (once a year),

-biennial - twice a year,

-special - called by the governor or in some states by legislative leadership, to consider special topics

19) What do committees do?

-Major bill analysis

-Oversee implementation of laws

-Draft legislation

20) Who determines the membership of legislative committees?

State legislature

21) What is pigeonholing?

A bill is ignored, never reported out of committee

22) Know the requirements for election to the Texas State Legislature

A representative must be at least 21 years of age, a citizen of Texas for two years prior to election and a resident of the district from which elected one year prielection. They are elected for two-year terms, running for re-election in even-numbered years.

23) How is legislative leadership chosen?

Committee assignments in most assignments are made by the leadership. occupational background frequently determines a legislator's initial committee assignment.

24) How long is the legislative session in Texas?

140 days

Reynolds vs Sims

One person one vote- says that each district must have the same number of people per district

Civil Rights Act of 1964

banned unequal standards,

Twenty-fourth Amendment: in 1964,

banned poll tax

Voting Rights Act of 1965

largely eliminated discrimination in voting -Eliminated literacy tests

Closed Primary

-Closed - only voters previously registered as members of a party may vote in that party's

Semi-closed Primary

allow voters to change party registration on Election Day

Open Primary

allows voters to choose when they vote which primary they want to vote in

Two Top Primary

all voters, regardless of primary vote in same primary, top 2 vote getters face off

Blanket Primary

(unconstitutional) -open primary in which candidates from both parties appear on same ballot. (voters could vote for both parties)

Run off

held between top two vote getters in a primary where no candidate has received a majority of the vote

15 amednment

banned race discrimination

19 amendment

banned gender discrimination