Vocab
What are some examples of social factors impacting voting, in the context of Chapters 8/9?
Wealth, race, education level, income.
What is the difference between liberals/conservatives (NOT Democrats vs. Republicans)? What are some of their core values/issues?
Smaller government versus larger government, public reforms vs big business, etc.
What happened last night and what does this mean for Texas?
Texas swinging blue at times, different interests, reflects a big change in state history.
There are votes going on year-round. Why does November see the highest voter turnout?
- Most relevant? Maybe not so much.
- More popularity, more funding, more pressure.
What is the minimum number of days before an election that Texans must register to vote?
30 days.
What is framing?
Putting an issue within a certain light, with the intent to change someone's opinion on a subject.
What is the difference between soft news and hard news?
Inform vs. entertain, immediate vs. flexible.
What do you know about the following terms: Shivercrats, Yellow Dog Democrats, or Blue Dog Democrats?
Answers may vary, but they categorize different voter ideologies in Texas' history.
What is voter apathy?
Carelessness about voting for a variety of reasons - doesn't pertain to me, don't have time, etc.
When did women gain the right to vote nationally and in Texas?
19th amendment, passed in 1919 and ratified in 1920.
What are agents of socialization?
Has the increase of available information created a more informed society? Why or why not?
- Answers vary.
What were the major differences between Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar regarding Native Americans?
Sam Houston believed in befriending them, Mirabeau Lamar believed in fighting them.
Significance - early formation of beliefs or "political parties" in Texas.
What is the point of a primary election? How is it different from traditional elections?
Elections within a party to determine who will run for that party.
What is political efficacy, and which demographic is more likely to demonstrate it?
- The belief that the government will represent your interests.
- Generally, those represented by the government, so people with higher education and socioeconomic status.
What is the "Sore loser law"?
If you lose in the primary election, you can't run again as an independent or for another party.
What is the difference between a push poll and an exit poll?
- One is conducted after you vote, the other aims to influence your belief. Sometimes viewed in a negative context, but not always.
When and who was the last time, a democrat carried Texas in a presidential election?
Jimmy Carter, conservative southerner.
What is a runoff election, and when does Texas use one?
What were Black Codes, and how were they used to restrict African American and Latino political participation? Bonus: What is one way these codes were abolished?
- Umbrella term: political exclusion.
- Used intimidation factors, made access to the ballot more difficult, etc.
What is an echo chamber, and how can it reinforce someone's political beliefs?
Too much of one source doesn't allow other people to hear different opinions.
What is the difference between VAP and VEP?
Voting Age Population - Who is actually 18+?
Voting Eligible Population - Of this population, who is eligible to vote?
If you had to say that the shift of politics in Texas was slow or fast, what would you say? Was it alot of small things, or one/two big things? What are some examples supporting your argument.
Answers vary, see timeline.
What's the difference between retrospective and prospective voting?
One looks to the future, the other looks to the past.
Why do third parties have such difficulty gaining ballot access and becoming politically relevant in Texas?
Lots of reasons, but can include dominance of larger parties, shared interests, or lack of funding.