Government Chapter 6 Assessment

What is a grandfather clause, and what was its purpose with respect to literacy tests?

A grandfather clause stated that any man, or his male descendants, who had voted in the state before the 15th amendment(1870) could legally vote without regard to literacy or tax paying requirements. The grandfather clauses were designed to enfranchise those white males who were unintentionally disqualified by the literacy and tax paying requirements.

What is a literacy requirement for voting, and how was it used to deny suffrage to certain groups?

A literacy requirement for voting is the ability to read, write, and understand some printed material. It was used to deny suffrage to certain groups because not all Irish Catholic immigrants and African Americans could read or "understand" the passages.

What is a nonvoting voter, and how is that related to ballot fatigue?

A non-voting voter is someone who generally approves of the way the public's business is being managed or people who feel alienated. This phenomenon is related to ballot fatigue because people only vote for the things on top of the ballot instead of looking at the choices on the bottom because they don't believe they have the knowledge or they have lost patience.

How did Congress require States to ease their registration requirements in 1993?

Congress required States to ease their registration requirements in 1993 by directing every state to allow all eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew a drivers' license; provide voter registration by mail; and make registration forms available at the local offices of state employment, welfare, and other social service agencies.

Explain how party identification develops, and how it affects the way individuals vote.

Party identification develops from a voter's personal characteristics, group affiliations, occupation, ethnic background, and place of residence. It affects the way people vote because they will usually vote for the party they affiliate with or split-ticket vote.

Explain how income, education, and age usually affect party affiliation.

People with lower incomes tend to be more Democratic, while those with higher incomes tend to be Republican. People with more education tend to vote Republican, and those with less education vote Democrat. Those who are older tend to vote Republican, while those who are younger tend to vote Democrat.

For what two reasons did States adopt residence requirements for voting?

The States adopted residence requirements for voting to keep a political machine from bribing enough outsiders to affect the outcome of local elections and to allow new voters at least some time to become familiar with the candidates and issues in an election.

What are the constitutional restrictions on the power of the States to set voting qualifications?

The constitutional restrictions on the power of the States to set voting qualifications are: any person who a State allows to vote for members of the "most numerous branch" of its own legislature must also be allowed to vote for representatives and senators in Congress; no state can deprive any person of the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude"; no state can deprive any person of the right to vote on account of sex; no state can require payment of any tax as a condition for taking part in the nomination or election of any federal officeholder; no state can deprive any person who is at least 18 years of age the right to vote because of age.

What are the five stages of the extension of suffrage?

The five stages of the extension of suffrage are religious qualifications, race, gender, securing African American rights, and age.

List the three factors that all 50 states use to set voter qualifications.

The three factors that all 50 states use to set voter qualifications are citizenship, residence, and age.

What two long term trends mark the expansion of the American electorate?

The two long term trends that mark the expansion of the American electorate are the gradual elimination of several restrictions on the right to vote and a significant share of powers that were held by the States were assumed by the federal government.

Describe three differences between voters and nonvoters.

Three differences between voters and nonvoters are people who vote have higher levels of income, education, and occupational status than those who are nonvoters.