unit 2 notes

Chapter 4: Political Culture & Civil Participation

Learning Objectives

  • 4-1 Analyze the changing Texas population and its effects on political ideology.

  • 4-2 Discuss types of civic engagement and political participation across demographics.

  • 4-3 Analyze voter turnout trends in Texas and reasons for low turnout.

  • 4-4 Consider Texas's civic health relative to national averages.

Demographics and Political Ideology

Overview

  • Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S.

  • Political ideology in Texas has shifted over time:

    • Majority are conservative, predominantly represented by the Republican Party.

    • Urban areas tend to be more Democratic, while rural areas are mostly Republican.

Demographic Trends

  • Historical Population Growth:

    • 1970s-1980s: Increased migration to Texas due to oil industry expansion.

    • 1990s: Population surged due to high immigration rates, particularly from Latin America.

  • Recent Influences:

    • Economic downturn of 2001 attracted 2.6 million new residents.

    • By 2011, 16.8% of the Texas population was foreign-born.

    • 2019: Over 550,000 newcomers from out of state.

  • As of 2020, Texas is a minority-majority state, reflecting significant growth among non-White populations.

Political Landscape

Political Ideology

  • Texas ideology is complex; generally center-right, balancing liberalism and conservatism.

  • Political Spectrum:

    • Figures like Sheila Jackson Lee on the left to Dan Patrick on the right exemplify the spectrum within Texas politics.

    • Major issues often debated include healthcare, gun rights, and education funding.

Civic Participation

Types of Civic Engagement

  • Civic participation varies greatly across demographics, influencing engagement rates in Texas.

  • Volunteering:

    • Builds social and human capital, improving leadership and organizational skills.

  • Charitable Giving:

    • Motivates political participation; however, Texas ranks low in charitable contributions.

    • Texas ranks 36th in terms of charitable giving when compared to other states.

  • Group Membership:

    • Joining civic groups can enhance awareness of diverse perspectives.

    • Texans often join like-minded groups, limiting exposure to different viewpoints.

  • Voter Registration:

    • Requires steps such as identification and is not user-friendly, with a registration deadline of 30 days before elections.

Voter Turnout Analysis

Historical Trends

  • Voter turnout in Texas has been persistently low for decades:

    • 1980-2021: Average turnout remained below 50% of registered voters.

    • 2020: Increased participation; two-thirds of registered voters voted in the presidential election.

    • 2022: Turnout affected by legislation (SB 1) impacting mail-in voting and voter roll purging, disproportionately affecting Hispanic voters.

Civic Health

Current Situation

  • Civic health reflects levels of political participation and community involvement.

  • Statistics indicate that despite increased engagement post-2020 elections, various systemic barriers continue to affect participation, especially among minority groups.

Chapter 5: Elections and Voting

Learning Objectives

  • 5-1 Explain the role and functions of elections in democracy.

  • 5-2 Identify barriers to voting.

  • 5-3 Discuss historical suffrage and civil rights movements.

  • 5-4 Understand electoral district types and formations.

  • 5-5 Compare election types in Texas.

  • 5-6 Anticipate reforms to improve voting ease in Texas.

Role of Voting

Democracy and Elections

  • Voting is fundamental for representative democracy, facilitating public participation in governance.

  • Importance of elections in holding leaders accountable and shaping future government actions.Key Points:

    • Elections follow a predefined schedule in the U.S. Constitution (first Tuesday after the first Monday).

Barriers to Voting

Historical Challenges

  • Voter disenfranchisement practices rooted in post-Civil War policies.

    • Jim Crow laws imposed segregation and voting restrictions affecting Black and Latino populations.

    • Poll taxes and literacy tests historically limited access to voting.

Contemporary Issues

  • Texas Voting Processes:

    • 2018 Changes: Identification requirements influenced by legislative actions like SB 1 create additional challenges for potential voters.

    • Voting Rates: Low turnout among marginalized communities and the impact of redistricting efforts.

Elections in Texas

Types of Elections

  • Primaries: Defined as closed or open, allowing different levels of participation.

  • General and Special Elections: Determined by primary outcomes; special elections address unique circumstances like runoffs.

  • Absentee Ballots: Subject to strict regulations and changes in drop-off locations affecting participation.

Political Parties in Texas

Learning Objectives

  • Describe two-party system evolution, focusing on historical context.

  • Analyze the rise of the Texas Democratic Party post-Reconstruction.

  • Assess current priorities and policies of the Texas Democratic and Republican Parties.

The Evolution of Parties

Historical Context

  • The Republican Party emerged from abolitionist roots and became a major force during Reconstruction.

  • Shift in power: Democrats dominated post-Reconstruction, enforcing racial segregation until recent decades.

Current Political Dynamics

Party Platforms

  • Republican focus on conservative issues like immigration and abortion.

  • Democrats prioritize racial justice, education reform, and civil liberties.

Functions of Political Parties

  • Party Platforms: Outline core beliefs and policies.

  • Voter Education and GOTV (Get out the Vote): Essential in mobilizing voter turnout across demographics.

Structure and Organization

Party Hierarchy

  • Political parties operate under state rules, with structures that typically include local and state-level organizing bodies.

  • Involvement of PACs (Political Action Committees) in fundraising efforts highlights the economic dynamics in political campaigning.

The Texas Legislature

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the structure and powers of the Texas Legislature and the legislative process.

Structure of the Legislature

  • Bicameral System: Comprised of a House (150 members) and a Senate (31 members).

  • Unique powers assigned to each chamber, particularly concerning approval of appointments and impeachment procedures.

The Legislative Process

  • Biennial sessions create urgency for legislation.

  • Each bill must pass both chambers in identical forms before reaching the governor.

  • The importance of committees in shaping legislation: only a fraction of introduced bills become law.