Texas Government 2306, Ch. 4, 5, & 6
Citizens United V. Federal Election Commission
(2010)- 2002 campaign Reform Act that limited independent expenditures by corporations and labor unions is unconstitutional.
Recent texas voter ID law
(2011)- requires voters to show one of 5 forms of identification: driver's license, military ID, passport, concealed handgun license, voter ID card. STUDENT ID CARD IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Election Ballot: Recount
-A candidate can request a recount if he/she loses by less than 10% - Candidate must put up deposit - Candidate is liable for entire recount cost IF he/she loses.
Electoral Dealignment
-A situation in which voters' partisan(party) loyalties have been substantially and permanently weakened.
Two factions within the Republican Party: Party Pragmatists
-AKA moderates OR centrists -Practical results rather than ideological basis -More likely to bargain/compromise -Fear that radicalism will lead to lost in general elections -Business oriented rather than moral oriented -Support govt spending on infrastructure/education to benefit business and the economy
Political Action Committee (PAC)
-An organization that raises and then contributes money to political candidates. Usually created by corporations and labor unions. -Max of $5,000
Interest Groups
-An organized body of individuals who share some political goals and try to influence public policy decisions. -Interest groups = Pressure groups OR lobbyist group -Their representatives are called lobbyist who directly contact public officials to influence their decisions.
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest groups-Business interest groups
-BUSINESS -business organizations and trade associations -Concerns: Taxes, regulation, govt contracts -Ex: National Association of Manufacturers, US Chamber of Commerce, Texas Association of Business
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest groups
-Business interest groups -Agricultural interest groups -Labor interest groups -Public employee interest groups -Professional interest groups -Foreign governments
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest Groups- Labor interest groups
-EMPLOYEES -Concerns: Wages, job security, benefits, workplace safety -significant decline in recent years -Ex: AFL-CIO (Union of Unions), International brotherhood of Teamsters, United Auto Workers (UAW), United Mine Workers (UMW)
Lobbying
-Efforts by groups to influence public policy through contact with public officials. -access and connections: to inform public officials of what their members want, to know what the govt is doing, to provide info. -most lobbyists in Texas must register with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest Groups- Agricultural interest groups
-FARMERS -Concerns: price supports, subsidies, soil conservation -Declining influence: < 2% of US population but strong interest groups, but has declined over the years -Ex: American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers' Union (NFU), Texas Farm Bureau
Money
-Financial resources are necessary for organizational purposes, membership incentives/drives, distribution of information, and lobbying. -PAC -Late Train Contributions
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest Groups-Public Employee interest groups
-GOVT EMPLOYEES -One of the fasters growing types of interest groups -Concerns: Wagers, benefits, job security, unfunded mandates -Ex: National Educators Association (NEA)
Stronger Party Advantage
-Historically in Texas: Democrat (1873-1979) -Currently in Texas: Republican, they currently hold every statewide office.
527 organizations
-May not advocate a specific candidate nor directly work/communicate with a candidate's campaign organization; thus spend money on issue advocacy and voter turn mobilization. -Independent Expenditures are unlimited
Hard Money
-Money contributed to a political candidate -Max of $2,500
Soft Money
-Money contributed to a political party to be spent on party-building activities. Ex: Voter registration, voter turnout -Max of $2,500
Types of Interest Groups: Non Economic Interest Groups- Environmental interest groups
-NATURE -Ex: Sierra Club, Greenpeace, Earth First, Texas Nature Conservancy, Auduban Society
Types of Interest Groups: Non Economic Interest Groups- Single Issue interest groups
-ONE ISSUE/TOPIC ONLY -Ex: Right to Life (abortion, pro life), National Abortion Rights Action League (pro choice), National Rifle Association (NRA) (right to bare arms), Right to Work Committee (anti-union)
Free Rider Problem
-People benefit from the work of an interest group BUT don't contribute OR participate. -Ex: Public television OR public radio
Types of Interest Groups: Non Economic Interest Groups- Civil Rights and Liberties interest groups
-RACE AND SEXS -Ex: NAACP (colored people), League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), National Organization of Women (NOW)
Types of Interest Groups: Non Economic Interest Groups- Religious interest groups
-RELIGIONS -Ex: The Christian Coalition, Texas Christian Life Commission
Competing factions within the democrat party: Liberal democrats
-Regulate economy and business -social welfare -civil rights and civil liberties -suspicious of govt promoting social order
Types of Interest Groups: Non Economic Interest Groups
-SEEK THE BETTERMENT OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE -Environmental Interest groups -Religious Interest groups -Civil Right and Liberties Interest groups -Single-issue Interest groups
Types of Interest Groups: Economic Interest Groups- Professional interest groups
-SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL CAREERS -Ex: Govt Bar Association (ABA), Screen Actors Guild, Texas Association of Realtors, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, American Medical Association
Membership Incentives: Purposive incentives
-Sake of principles and beliefs -Ex: Pro life groups, pro choice groups, environmental groups
Membership Incentives
-Solidary incentives -Material incentives -Purposive incentives
Administration of Elections
-Texas Secretary of State - County Government
Lobbying: Revolving Door Effect
-The interchange of employees between govt agencies and the private businesses with which they have dealings. -people working for govt have contracts/connects and experience, and when they stop working with govt, they get hired as lobbyist, advisor, consultant, for the same agency.
Competing factions within the democrat party: Conservative democrats
-VERY pro business -Free markets without govt interference -govt support of business (deregulation/tax cuts) -critical of social welfare (stress individual responsibility) -traditional values and social order
Membership Incentives: Material incentives
-economic benefits OR opportunities -discounts and travel opportunities -insurance plans -magazines, newsletters, buttons, stickers, etc. -Ex: AARP, Sierra Club, Unions
Competing factions within the democrat party: Conservative democrats-Support
-oil and gas industry -veterans -large corporations -owners and publishers of major newspapers -agribusiness
Competing factions within the democrat party: Liberal democrats-Support
-organized labor (unions) -African Americans (NAACP) -Hispanics (LULAC) -Environmental Groups (Sierra Club) -Abortion Rights Groups -Trial lawyers -Educators -Small farmers and ranchers (Texas Farmers Union)
Membership Incentives: Solidary incentives
-sense of belonging -companionship -pleasure of association -Ex: Audubon Society, National Rifle Association
Weak areas for republicans in Texas
-south and south central texas -major cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, El Paso, San Antonio) -Far west texas
Current Voter Qualifications in Texas
1. U.S. Citizen 2. At least 18 years of age 3. State residency 4. Registered voter (at least 30 days prior to election) 5. Not mentally incompetent 6. Not serving a sentence for a felony conviction OR currently on parole OR probation
Election Ballot: Multilingualism Requirement
5% OR greater language minority in county
Election Ballot: Australian Ballot
A ballot printed by the govt that allows people to vote in secret.
Electoral Realignment
A sharp change in existing patterns of party loyalties among groups of voters that remains persist through several subsequent elections
Elections: Raiding
A type of cross-over. Yet vote for weak candidate thus causing opposing party to nominate its weakest candidate.
General Election
AKA popular election. Voters choose from among competing party nominees and write in candidates.
Primary factors influencing who votes
Age, education, income
Negative Campaigning
Attack Opponents' issue positions OR character. Trump did this!
Late Train Contributions
Campaign donations given to the winning candidate AFTER THE ELECTION up to 30 days before the legislature comes into session. Design to curry favors.
Super Pac
Can raise and spend unlimited amounts on politics, but must operate independently of candidates and cannot contribute to individual candidates. Donors must be disclosed to the Federal Election Commission.
Administration of Elections: County government
Conducts general elections Ex: Ballot construction, candidate certification, voting polls, polling locations
Two factions within the Republican Party
Conservative (Party Ideologues) and Moderate (Party Pragmatists)
Two factions within the Republican Party: Party Ideologues
Conservative principles, less likely to compromise
When Texas primaries currently held:
Currently, 1st tuesday in march.
Future Realignment or Dealignment? What influential voting demographic?
Dealignment. Hispanic Vote.
Most important election traditionally in Texas
Democratic primary, because it was the only election with competition, because the presidential election results were known ahead of time that democrats would beat republicans.
Administration of Elections: Texas Secretary of State
Election records keeper
Election Ballot: Multilingualism Requirement- Harris County Requirement
English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
Two factions within the Republican Party: Party Ideologues- Tea Party Movement
Fiscal conservatives (ex: limited govt, less govt spending, lower taxes)
Election Ballot: Getting on the ballot- Automatic listing
For any party that received at least 5% of vote for any statewide office in the previous election (general), it's Democrat and Republican candidates are automatically placed on ballot.
How do interest groups differ from political parties?
Interest groups: -DO NOT organize to win elections by sponsoring candidates under their name/label. -seek to INFLUENCE, not operate, the govt. -usually focused on advocating specific issues (NOT BROAD spectrum of issues). -usually NARROW BASED COALITIONS instead of broad based coalitions.
Competing factions within the democrat party
Liberal vs. conservative democrats
political culture factor reasons for low voter turnout: Subculture
Little moralistic subculture (South states' one party system)
Elections: Types of primaries- Closed primary
MOST COMMON. Voter can vote in one party's primary but MUST declare party affiliation in advance.
Related (secondary) factors influencing who votes
Minority status, intensity of partisan identification. two-party competition
Campaign strategy for general elections
Moderate views to win over swing voters and independents.
Membership
Most valuable resource (louder voice and greater financial resources) > 40m AARP
Structural factors reasons for low voter turnout: Voter registration
Motor Voter Law: AKA national voter registration act of 1993, designed to reverse declining voter registration by allowing voters to register at motor vehicle departments. Registration Period: No automatic registration, online registration is available, and you can register at any time of the year up to 30 days before and election.
Legal factors reasons for low voter turnout
NONE of the following legal obstacles currently exist. Texas was among the most, if not the most, restrictive states with voting laws. TEXAS HAD employed ALL these legal restrictions, EXCEPT the LAST TWO. 1. Poll tax 2. No women's suffrage 3. White Primary 4. No military vote 5. Minimum voting age of 21 6. Long residency requirement 7. Property ownership requirement in bond elections 8.Annual Registration 9. Early Registration 10. Jury duty - in the PAST got from voter registration list, CURRENTLY get from drivers license list 11. Literacy test (NOT IN TEXAS) 12. Grandfather Clause (NOT IN TEXAS)
General Election: Popularity Vote
Needed to win Election
Elections: Two stage election process
Party nominations: party election process to determine the party nominee/candidate General/Popular election: Election process to determine the office holder.
political culture factor reasons for low voter turnout: Rational Ignorance Effect
People purposely and rationally decide to not become informed on an issue OR candidate because they believe that their one vote won't make a difference.
Election Ballot: Getting on the ballot- Signature Petition
Presidential Election: Must exceed 1% of total state vote. Statewide election: equal 1% of total greater national votes.
Realignment in Texas-Republican party
Reemergence of Republican Party (1980s to present)
Two factions within the Republican Party: Party Ideologues-True Believers
Refers to a person who feels passionately dedicated to the absolute of his/her beliefs.
Incumbency Advantage
Someone who has experience in the political offices. Opposite of Trump
Texas Two-step
State Primary- 1st tuesday in march
Two factions within the Republican Party: Party Ideologues-Evangelicals
Strong conservative religious beliefs (ex: abortion, same sex marriage, stem cell research)
General Election: Mid-term elections and its results
Texas state executive offices Results: Low voter turnout, focus on state issues and interests.
Election Ballot: Office-Block Ballot
The candidates are listed under the name of the office they are seeking. Can promote Split-ticket voting. Favored by minor parties.
Election Ballot: Party-Column Ballot
The candidates are listed under the name of the party in parallel columns. Can promote straight-ticket voting.
Dominant party traditionally in Texas (Solid South)
Traditionally, 1 party system. Democrats aka yellow dog democrats dominated Texas politics from after Reconstruction until 1990s.
When Texas primaries historically held:
Traditionally, 2nd tuesday in march. (Better known as: Super tuesday/southern super tuesday).
General Election: Election day
Tuesday following 1st monday in november
Elections: Type of primaries- Blanket Primary
Voter can vote in BOTH parties' primaries.
Elections: Types of primaries- Open primary
Voter can vote in one party's primary but does NOT have to declare party affiliation.
Elections: Cross-over
Voters favoring one party actually vote in the other party's primary and vote for the candidate with a similar philosophy (conservative/liberal).
Election Ballot: Getting on the ballot- Write-In candidates
Voters must write in candidates name, not very common.
Straight Ticket Voting
Voting 1 party for all
structural factors reasons for low voter turnout: early voting
Voting day is not a public holiday, and their is a limited time period of one day only. currently early voting is only available in some states, In texas early voting begins the 17th day before election day and ends the 4th day before election day.
Split Ticket Voting
Voting some of both parties
Presidential election
Voting to decide who will be president, between Republican candidate and Democratic candidate, happens every 4 years, lands on the tuesday following the 1st monday in november.
Lobbyist
an activist who seeks to persuade members of the govt to enact legislation that would benefit their group.
Caucus
is a party meeting held at 7:00 pm at polling stations.
Majority votes OR runoff
majority (50% + 1) of the votes in the party's primary in order to win. If NOT, a RUNOFF ELECTION between the two top party vote getters must be held in April/May.
Campaign strategy for primary elections
more ideological (conservative/liberal); appealing to party base.
vote-eligible population (VEP)
number of people who are eligible to vote, excluding non citizens and ineligible felons
Voter Turnout compared with other democratic countries
one of the lowest voter turn outs.
Voting age Population (VAP)
residents 18 and older regardless of citizenship OR felony status
Elections: Nomination Process
state primary OR caucus OR convention, indicating party candidate preference to delegates attending the party's convention.
Voting
suffrage or enfranchisement. voting is a form of political participation most actively promoted by the govt.
Expansion of suffrage
the expansion of the right to vote, from only high class white males towards womens suffrage.
Lobbying: Conflict Of Interest
the situation that exists when a public official is in a position to make a decision that might result in a personal economic benefit OR advantage.
primary factors influencing who votes: education
turnout increases with higher education groups
primary factors influencing who votes: income
turnout increases with higher income groups
Primary factors influencing who votes: Age
turnout increases with older age groups
Campaign trail (stumping)
visit urban(houston) and suburban(baytown) areas
Midterm election
where the people can elect the representatives in the middle of the term of the executive OR of another set of members.
Who could originally vote?
white males with taxpaying and property holding requirements.
political culture factor reasons for low voter turnout: 19th amendment
women's right to vote
political culture factor reasons for low voter turnout: 26th amendment
young adults' right to vote
