Question 1

In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest?

Accepted Answer

A)   presidential elections
B)   gubernatorial general elections
C)   off-year congressional elections
D)   runoff elections
E)   primary elections

Question 2

General elections are held

Accepted Answer

A)   in odd-numbered years.
B)   in even-numbered years.
C)   each November.
D)   every four years, in line with the presidential election.
E)   when called for by the legislature.

Question 3

Republicans have won every statewide election in Texas since 1994.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

In Texas, ______ is/are responsible for redistricting.

Accepted Answer

A)   the governor
B)   the legislature
C)   the courts
D)   county courts at law
E)   precinct captains

Question 5

Texans tend to vote less than the national average.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

______ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.

Accepted Answer

A)   Independence Day
B)   Memorial Day
C)   Labor Day
D)   Halloween
E)   Thanksgiving

Question 7

The most recent renewals to the Voting Rights Act require

Accepted Answer

A)   special voting booths reserved specifically for minority voters.
B)   polling places to stay open until midnight for shift workers.
C)   polling places to open on Saturdays for people who work.
D)   bilingual ballots in areas where over 5 percent of citizens speak a language other than English.
E)   Internet voting for people who cannot make it to the polls. D

Question 8

Reapportionment involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following statements is not a possible explanation for why Texas currently has low voter turnout?

Accepted Answer

A)   Texas has so many elections that voters are often overwhelmed with elections and candidates.
B)   The Texas political culture has been one in which elites have discouraged voting.
C)   The average age of Texans is younger than the national average, and younger voters are less likely to vote.
D)   The residency requirement for new voters is six months.
E)   Texas has weak political parties.

Question 10

Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following is true?

Accepted Answer

A)   Women were granted the right to vote in the 1876 Texas Constitution.
B)   The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election.
C)   One does not have to be a resident of the state to vote in Texas.
D)   Latinos vote at higher rates than African Americans do.
E)   Texas voter turnout is among the highest in the United States.

Question 12

What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?

Accepted Answer

A)   The Court declared the use of literacy tests a violation of the equal protection clause.
B)   The case compelled Texas to integrate Hispanic students into "whites only" public schools.
C)   It announced that in primary elections states could not restrict voters on account of race.
D)   It restricted the use of closed primaries.
E)   The Court declared the use of poll taxes a violation of the equal protection clause.

Question 13

Which of the following was NOT regularly used in Texas as a method of disenfranchising many minorities before the 1960s?

Accepted Answer

A)   the white primary
B)   early registration
C)   poll taxes
D)   the Jaybird primary
E)   the requirement of a federal citizenship test

Question 14

Name recognition often gives ______ a distinct advantage in Texas elections.

Accepted Answer

A)   Republicans
B)   Democrats
C)   incumbents
D)   wealthy challengers
E)   women

Question 15

The most costly item for most political campaigns is

Accepted Answer

A)   travel.
B)   security.
C)   fund-raising.
D)   media advertising.
E)   food.

Question 16

Which of the following is the purpose of special elections?

Accepted Answer

A)   to choose which candidates will run in the general election
B)   to fill vacancies in elected offices
C)   to allow voters to vote directly on public policy
D)   to choose which candidates will run in the primary elections
E)   to elect judges to the Texas Supreme Court

Question 17

Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote?

Accepted Answer

A)   40 percent
B)   55 percent
C)   60 percent
D)   70 percent
E)   80 percent

Question 18

Preclearance is required by

Accepted Answer

A)   the Texas Constitution.
B)   the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
C)   the U.S. Constitution.
D)   the U.S. Supreme Court, as in the case of Smith v. Allwright.
E)   the Texas legislature. B

Question 19

Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as ______ in 2006.

Accepted Answer

A)   Republicans
B)   Democrats
C)   Tea Party candidates
D)   Reform Party candidates
E)   Independents E

Question 20

Campaigns attempt to reach voters through all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)   print and electronic media.
B)   door-to-door campaigning.
C)   involvement in high-profile litigation.
D)   telephone solicitation.
E)   mailed campaign fliers and information.

Exam 5: Elections in Texas

In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

General elections are held

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Republicans have won every statewide election in Texas since 1994.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In Texas, ______ is/are responsible for redistricting.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Texans tend to vote less than the national average.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

______ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most recent renewals to the Voting Rights Act require

Correct AnswerverifiedD

Reapportionment involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following statements is not a possible explanation for why Texas currently has low voter turnout?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is true?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following was NOT regularly used in Texas as a method of disenfranchising many minorities before the 1960s?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Name recognition often gives ______ a distinct advantage in Texas elections.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The most costly item for most political campaigns is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is the purpose of special elections?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Preclearance is required by

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as ______ in 2006.

Correct AnswerverifiedE

Campaigns attempt to reach voters through all of the following EXCEPT

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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