Chapter 7

Unlike in many other democracies, elections in the United States are traditionally held on a) Mondays. b) Tuesdays. c) Fridays. d) Saturdays. e) Sundays.

b

Voter registration in the United States a) was introduced as a means of keeping white males without property from voting. b) began as a way of preventing voters from casting more than one ballot on election day. c) is the responsibility of the government, which adds legally qualified individuals automatically to the registration rolls. d) applies to voting in general elections but not in primary elections. e) has vastly increased voter turnout

b

When the nation was founded, who was eligible to vote? a) everyone—there was universal suffrage b) all males and females who were at least 21 years of age c) only white males who owned property d) only citizens who had lived in the nation for at least ten years e) All native-born citizens could vote.

c

Which of the following states have a voter identification card law? a) Maine b) New Hampshire c) Minnesota d) Indiana e) Wisconsin

d

Voting a) allows elected officials to claim that their policies reflect the will of the people. b) provides citizens with a regular way to express themselves. c) is the most widespread form of political participation. d) is both a means by which government controls the people and a means by which the people control government. e) All these answers are correct

e

Which of the following is true of the Internet organization MoveOn.org? a) It has demonstrated that online advocacy can dramatically increase voter turnout in local and state elections. b) It is technically a registered lobbying organization. c) It has a network of more than five million "online activists," which makes it a more powerful voting bloc than some entire states. d) It was highly successful in its effort to shape the 2010 health care reform bill. e) It was instrumental in helping Barack Obama defeat Hillary Clinton in their race for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.

e

Eighteen, nineteen, and twenty year-old Americans were granted the right to vote in 1973 (true/False)

false

The adoption of voter identification cards by several states will likely cause a decline in voter turnout. (true/false)

true

As distinct from alienation, apathy is a) associated with a low rate of voter turnout. b) a feeling of powerlessness. c) a general lack of interest in politics. d) a sign that the political system is working properly. e) widespread among affluent Americans

c

Protest activity is a reversal to the pattern of voting in that it a) has broad public support. b) is supportive of existing policies. c) is more likely to involve younger citizens rather than older ones. d) is rooted in prejudice. e) usually takes place in the evenings

c

When it comes to protest activities, a majority of Americans are a) actively involved in protests at one time or another in their lives. b) willing to contribute through financial support but not through active participation. c) not highly supportive of such activities, despite America's tradition of free expression. d) actively involved only later in their lives, when they feel more secure that a protest is justified. e) supportive of violent activities if the cause warrants such an approach.

c

In the United States, the primary responsibility for registration of the individual voter rests with the a) state and local governments. b) local courts. c) employer. d) individual. e) federal government

d

Of the countries listed, which country has the highest estimated voter turnout in major national elections in recent decades? a) Denmark b) Germany c) the United States d) Belgium e) France

d

The frequency of elections in the United States reduces voter turnout by a) discouraging local politicians from playing an active role in presidential elections. b) creating more complex registration requirements. c) focusing too much attention on state and local elections. d) increasing the personal effort needed to participate in all elections. e) increasing the amount of taxes paid at the polls

d

The "motor voter" law a) was passed in 1993. b) made it easier for citizens to register to vote. c) linked voter registration to the vehicle registration process. d) was passed in 1993 and linked voter registration to the vehicle registration process. e) All these answers are correct

e

Compared with U.S. citizens of higher income, those of lower income are a) much less likely to vote in elections. b) about equally likely to vote in elections. c) much more likely to vote in elections. d) much less likely to vote in elections—a pattern that is also true in European democracies. e) None of these answers is correct.

a

In the twenty-first century, voting rates in the United States have a) shown little difference from those of the late twentieth century. b) increased in presidential elections, while continuing to remain lowest in local ones. c) demonstrated that the apathy of young citizens has worsened considerably since the early 1990s. d) increased in all elections. e) declined in all elections

b

The chief obstacle to Americans' participation in community activities is the a) lack of opportunity, because there are few groups active at this level. b) lack of personal motivation to get involved. c) low potential for success, since key decisions are made at the national level. d) low potential for success, since key decisions are made at the state level. e) All these answers are correct.

b

All of the following tend to decrease voter turnout EXCEPT a) sharp policy differences between major parties. b) alienation. c) frequent elections. d) difficult registration requirements. e) lack of interest in politics.

a

Which of the following is true of the Georgia law that required citizens without a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to obtain a voter identification card, which would cost them twenty dollars and expire after five years? a) A federal judge invalidated Georgia's twenty-dollar fee requirement, but the photo ID requirement stood. b) The law currently stands as it was initially created. c) A federal judge struck down the entire law; a person may vote in Georgia without a government-issued photo ID. d) A federal court struck down the law, but Georgia appealed it and the Supreme Court upheld the law as created. e) The photo ID requirement has resulted in a substantial reduction in voter turnout in Georgia.

a