Voting and Political Participation
Why was annual registration a problem for Texas voters?
Voter registration can be cumbersome, discouraging them from doing it. It can also appear fearful to minorities.
What are focus groups and why do politicians use them?
Groups of "average citizens" to test ideas for use in campaigns.
Which political party does the Green Party take votes away from?
The Democrat Party.
Biases that influenced elections, such as ballot stuffing.
Organization that acts as an intermediary between people and government, with the goal of getting members elected.
Political party.
Factors such as income, education, race, and ethnicity that affect voter turnout.
Socioeconomic status.
What is a runoff election and when is it used?
Secondary election that is used if no person receives a clear majority.
Why did Texas's realignment occur?
What is an Australian Ballot?
The rule that ballots must appear identical everywhere in Texas.
What is the significance of Ann Richards?
Last Democrat governor of Texas, won in a heavily-dominated Republican state.
List 3 past/modern voting restrictions.
Modern - Fear, political attitudes, apathy, social/economic factors.
Past - Amendments, white primary, poll tax, literacy test, grandfather clause, fear, Jim Crow Laws.
What are the two types of ballot forms?
Office-block format and party column format.
When would you say Texas confidently became a one-party Republican state?
1995, loss of gubernatorial office from Ann Richards to George W. Bush.
What is a right to work state?
A person cannot be denied employment because of membership in a union OR workers are not required to join unions upon hire.
What is the difference between a grassroots organization versus an astroturf organization?
Grassroots - Community based, often nonprofit drivers of policy or beliefs.
Astroturf - Appears to have lots of grassroots members, but is instead sponsored by a large corporation.
Why might voter turnout drop significantly in non-presidential elections?
Insignificance, apathy, people are either too busy or don't care, or unaware.
Why has Texas tried to restrict voting, such as by removing online registration, and restricting absentee voting?
Restrict minority populations to diminish the Democrat vote count.
What are some (list 2-3) of the problems facing third-parties in Texas?
Lack of airtime, lack of money, lack of awareness, public ideology that third-parties are "destined" to fail.
What is electioneering?
Activities interest groups do to influence the outcome of elections.
What is party raiding?
Voting in the other party's primary to try and nominate a weaker candidate.
Maria just moved to Texas three weeks before an election. She goes to the polling place on Election Day but is told she cannot vote because she never registered. What is preventing Maria from voting?
30-day voter registration rule.
What is the "sore loser" law?
If someone loses a primary election, they cannot run again as an independent. If you're out, you're out.
Which branch of Permanent Party Organizations are primarily concerned with registering and organizing voters?
Precinct Chair
What does litigation mean, and how do interest groups use these to their advantage?
Lawsuit, sometimes used as threats, but also to sway court decisions. Interest groups also try and persuade the judiciary!
What is the difference between Voter turnout, Voting Age Population, and Voting Eligible Population.
Refer to board.