TX GOV Module 3,4
To register to vote in Texas, a person must have been a resident of Texas for at least 90 days. True False
False
The governor appoints people to office, but the Texas ________ must also confirm them. a. Senate b. Commission on Appointments c. House of Representatives d. Ethics Commission
a. Senate
Candidates for state office and lobbyists have to file quarterly reports detailing their spending and donations with which agency? a. Texas Ethics Commission b. Texas Elections Commission c. Texas Financial Regulation Commission d. Texas Reporting Commission
a. Texas Ethics Commission
Before 1978, partisanship was not a factor in Texas judicial elections because a. Texas was effectively a one-party state. b. candidates generally ran without party labels. c. the Texas Constitution required that judicial elections had to be nonpartisan. d. turnout was so low in judicial races that the parties decided not to get involved in the campaigns.
a. Texas was effectively a one-party state.
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the a. Twenty-Fourth Amendment. b. Civil Rights Act of 1964. c. Voting Rights Act of 1965. d. Nineteenth Amendment.
a. Twenty-Fourth Amendment.
Which of the following groups have had notable political success by litigating in federal courts? a. chemical company lobbyists b. civil rights groups c. public employee interest groups d. professional groups
b. civil rights groups
District courts usually have ________ jurisdiction, meaning that they hear a broad range of civil and criminal cases. a. specific b. general c. limited d. mid-tier
b. general
A ________ was a state-imposed tax on voters as a prerequisite for voting. a. registration fee b. voter tax c. registration tax d. poll tax
d. poll tax
What is one of the key functions of the county executive committee? a. selecting someone to serve as precinct chair b. registering new voters c. writing the party's platform d. running the county's primary elections
d. running the county's primary elections
What happens when a city council uses single-member districts? a. Each member of the city council represents a specific "district" of the city and is elected by residents of that geographical area. b. The city council selects the mayor on a rotating basis from each of the different districts. c. The city council must also use a city manager who will look at issues from the perspective of the whole city. d. Voters are limited in terms of where they can cast a ballot on election day for city council elections.
a. Each member of the city council represents a specific "district" of the city and is elected by residents of that geographical area.
________ is the only Texas governor to be both impeached and convicted. a. James Ferguson b. Ann Richards c. Miriam Ferguson d. E.J. Davis
a. James Ferguson
Who argued in Federalist 10 that "factions" would play an important role in American politics? a. James Madison b. Ben Franklin c. Thomas Paine d. George Washington
a. James Madison
If everyone acted as free riders, there would be more interest groups and problems would be solved more quickly. True False
False
Impeachment of a governor begins in the Texas Senate. True False
False
In a bicameral legislature, a bill only has to be passed by either the House or Senate before it is sent to the governor to be signed into law. True False
False
In order to be a general-law city, the population of the city must be larger than 5,000. True False
False
In order to be legally classified as a "public interest group" for tax purposes, the group must be focused on advancing the "public good as a whole." True False
False
In order to serve in any judicial position in Texas, you must be a licensed attorney and in good standing with the Texas Bar Association. True False
False
In the Senate, the Speaker controls legislative debate by selecting who speaks and how long the debate will last. True False
False
Interest groups representing labor organizations dominate Texas politics. True False
False
Issue advocacy is coordinated spending between an interest group and a candidate for elected office. True False
False
It is relatively easy for an independent candidate to get on the Texas ballot. True False
False
Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan. True False
False
Lawyers often take cases using contingent fee agreements in criminal cases. True False
False
Members of the Texas House of Representatives are permitted to speak on the House floor for as long as they wish. True False
False
Most Democrats in Texas today consider themselves to be "Blue Dog Democrats." True False
False
Most Texans are actively engaged in what goes on in their neighborhoods and communities. True False
False
Most boards and commissions in Texas are comprised of members who are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas House. True False
False
People tend to live in areas with like-minded individuals, which has made cities more Republican and rural areas more Democratic. True False
False
Pigeonholing happens when the Speaker of the House or lieutenant governor sets a bill aside and does not refer it to a standing committee for consideration. True False
False
Primaries are the final elections to be held in the election cycle. True False
False
Special elections are used to ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution, fill vacancies in offices, set the dates for legislative sessions, and to allow the state to borrow money. True False
False
Texans tend to vote at higher rates than the national average. True False
False
Texas Republicans have held all major statewide elected offices since 1980. True False
False
Texas has a plural executive, meaning that the governor has the ability to appoint many different people to fill executive positions. True False
False
Texas requires people to designate party affiliation when registering to vote. True False
False
The Libertarian Party is both socially and economically liberal. True False
False
The Republican Party was the dominant force in Texas politics throughout most of the 1900s. True False
False
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is empowered to review textbooks for all public two- and four-year colleges and universities. True False
False
The Texas Constitution permits the election to the Texas legislature of persons who are not U.S. citizens but who have been legal residents of Texas for at least 10 years. True False
False
The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has mandated that no government official may serve in any single office for more than twelve years. True False
False
The Texas Supreme Court hears criminal cases only. True False
False
The Texas governor has many formal powers, making him or her one of the United States' strongest chief executives. True False
False
The Texas governor has strong powers for granting clemency. True False
False
The county commissioners' court is responsible for prosecuting violations of law that occur outside of the city limits but within the county lines. True False
False
The structure of the Texas executive branch is centralized, with much formal authority allocated to the governor. True False
False
There are no limitations or restrictions on when the governor can use the line-item veto. True False
False
Who argued in Federalist 10 that "factions" would play an important role in American politics? a. James Madison b. George Washington c. Ben Franklin d. Thomas Paine
a. James Madison
In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens? a. The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee. b. The bill is referred to a special session. c. The chair refers a bill to only one subcommittee rather than two or more. d. The chair vetoes a bill after it has already received an affirmative committee vote.
a. The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee.
What happens in a bench trial? a. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge. b. The defendant is represented by a public defender instead of a private attorney. c. The trial is one of great public interest and is covered by the media, with television cameras located on special benches so that the faces of the jury are not made public. d. Multiple defendants who are all accused of the same crime are tried together and share one trial.
a. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge.
What is preemption? a. The legislature's power to overrule ordinances or actions of local home-rule cities. b. A form of home rule that gives cities greater autonomy. c. A form of county government that allows constables and sheriffs to expand their customary law enforcement duties. d. The power of special non-school districts to issue bonds to pay for construction and infrastructure improvements.
a. The legislature's power to overrule ordinances or actions of local home-rule cities.
Which of the following rules applies to the filibuster in the Texas Senate? a. The senator who has control of the floor must always speak in an audible voice, so that he or she can be heard and understood. b. The senator who is speaking can take one five-minute break and leave the chamber every eight hours while he or she is talking. c. The senator speaking can expand the topic of debate to related subjects. d. The filibuster can only be used during a special session.
a. The senator who has control of the floor must always speak in an audible voice, so that he or she can be heard and understood.
Texas used a system of early registration until 1971 that required which of the following: a. Voters had to register to vote more than nine months before the general election and were required register to vote every year. b. Voters had to indicate their race or ethnicity on their voter registration forms and were required register to vote every year. c. Voters had to live in Texas for at least six months before they could register to vote and were required register to vote every three years. d. Voters had to live in the county for at least nine months before they could register to vote in that county and were required register to vote every year.
a. Voters had to register to vote more than nine months before the general election and were required register to vote every year.
The mass exodus of more affluent Whites from urban areas to suburban areas is sometimes referred to as a. White flight. b. tax-base erosion. c. urban racism. d. urban withdrawal.
a. White flight.
The Latino movement known as La Raza Unida occurred during the a. 1940s. b. 1960s. c. 1920s. d. 1980s.
b. 1960s.
_________________ is a funding structure or political contribution where the donors do not need to be disclosed. a. PAC funding b. Dark money c. Advocacy advancement spending d. GOTV initiatives
b. Dark money
As the number of urban areas grew in the state in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the management of local affairs became such a growing burden on the state legislature that it passed the a. County Charter Bill of 1958. b. Home-Rule Charter Amendment in 1912. c. City Charter Ordinance of 1898. d. General-Law City Charter Amendment in 1930.
b. Home-Rule Charter Amendment in 1912.
When would a judge have to run in a retention election? a. In any judicial system, after a judge has faced any sort of disciplinary hearing, a retention election must be held within 90 days so that the voters can decide if the judge should retain this position of trust. b. In a system using merit selection of judges, after a set period of time the judge would have to run in a retention election to see if the voters think that judge is doing a good job and deserves to stay in office.
b. In a system using merit selection of judges, after a set period of time the judge would have to run in a retention election to see if the voters think that judge is doing a good job and deserves to stay in office.
In Texas, why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful? a. It allows the governor to get maximum media coverage. b. It cannot be overturned by the legislature. c. It can be overturned only by a two-thirds majority of both houses. d. It allows the governor to veto parts of a bill but not all of it.
b. It cannot be overturned by the legislature.
No Democrat has won Texas in a presidential race since ________. a. Barack Obama b. Jimmy Carter c. Bill Clinton d. Ann Richards
b. Jimmy Carter
By about the 1940s, a split between liberals and conservatives developed in the Democratic Party that focused on a. labor and civil liberties measures. b. New Deal economic policies and civil rights measures. c. education and civil rights measures. d. war and New Deal economic policies.
b. New Deal economic policies and civil rights measures.
In Texas today, rural areas have become more ______________, while urban areas have become more ___________. a. Democratic; Republican b. Republican; Democratic c. nonpartisan; Libertarian d. Shivercrat; Tea Party
b. Republican; Democratic
What event marked a significant change in how Texans began to vote not only in presidential elections but also in state elections? a. George H. W. Bush won Texas in the general election of 2000. b. Ronald Reagan was elected as President. c. Michael Dukakis won Texas in 1988. d. George H. W. Bush moved to Texas.
b. Ronald Reagan was elected as President.
The governor appoints people to office, but the Texas ________ must also confirm them. a. House of Representatives b. Senate c. Ethics Commission d. Commission on Appointments
b. Senate
Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote? a. 92 percent b. 59 percent c. 79 percent d. 22 percent
c. 79 percent
What is the main difference between a home-rule city and a general-law city? a. A general-law city is the name for all cities incorporated after 1901. b. A general-law city does not have a mayor. c. A general-law city is chartered for localities with a population of fewer than 5,000 persons. d. A general-law city has no power to set the property tax.
c. A general-law city is chartered for localities with a population of fewer than 5,000 persons.
In the post-Civil War era, the only parts of Texas that showed significant Republican leanings were a. counties in the Panhandle. b. counties located along the Rio Grande River. c. German counties in the Texas Hill Country. d. rural areas in east Texas.
c. German counties in the Texas Hill Country.
Senators and House members take office in______________ of odd-numbered years. a. March b. May c. January d. September
c. January
Which of the following is a consequence of Texas having a part-time legislature? a. Some legislators spend one year in session and one year working as lobbyists. b. Interest groups work with the executive branch to form legislative policy. c. Legislators have small staffs, and therefore rely on lobbyists to explain the details of a bill, such as how it may benefit their districts. d. Legislators may run out of time to be able to formally introduce legislation on the floor of the chamber; since the lobbyists have often written the bills, the lobbyists are also able to introduce the legislation as well.
c. Legislators have small staffs, and therefore rely on lobbyists to explain the details of a bill, such as how it may benefit their districts.
A major factor in the increase in preemption is the partisan split between a state legislature controlled by Republicans and major city governments controlled by Democrats. True False
True
African Americans tend to vote at higher rates than other ethnic groups in Texas. True False
True
Federal law requires that bilingual ballots are provided in areas where more than 5 percent of the population speaks a language other than English. True False
True
Fewer than 10 percent of eligible voters cast ballots in special purpose district elections. True False
True
Home-rule cities are able to set a maximum property tax rate of $2.50 per $100 valuation. True False
True
In Texas, lawyers are able to continue practicing law and representing clients when they are charged with a crime, but have not yet been found guilty by a court of committing that crime. True False
True
In Texas, teachers make up an important public employee interest group. True False
True
In Texas, the county judge presides over the county commissioner's court. True False
True
Incumbents are most likely to receive large campaign contributions. True False
True
Interest groups offer incentives to join, such as selective benefits, to overcome the free rider problem. True False
True
It is because of the process of political socialization that most people tend to have the same political beliefs as their parents. True False
True
Most Texans are unlikely to contact public officials. True False
True
Most third-party candidates in Texas are unsuccessful in their electoral bids. True False
True
One important way of gaining access to those in government is to employ former officials as lobbyists. True False
True
One reason for low levels of voter turnout in Texas is the low level of educational attainment in the state. True False
True
Partisan polarization makes it difficult to get legislation passed in the legislature. True False
True
Photo IDs issued by the United States government, such as passports or citizenship certificates are acceptable forms of identification to cast a vote in any Texas election. True False
True
Poll taxes, such as those used in Texas, disenfranchised poor voters. True False
True
Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March. True False
True
Public opinion polling can play an important role in creating targeted messages during campaigns. True False
True
San Antonio and Dallas both have council-manager forms of government. True False
True
Social media is an important fundraising tool because it is less costly to solicit campaign contributions using social media than through other methods. True False
True
Some blame the relatively low voter turnout for Texas elections on the frequency of elections and the large number of candidates. True False
True
Some lobbyists work for multiple clients at the same time. True False
True
Texas Democrats have been relegated to minority status in the state since 1994. True False
True
Texas voters often use the party affiliation of the candidates as a way to make voting decisions. True False
True
The Secretary of State in Texas works with organizations to increase the number of registered voters. True False
True
The Texas Constitution forbids the legislature to borrow money to conduct the daily operations of government. True False
True
The comptroller of public accounts directs the collection of taxes for the state of Texas. True False
True
The influence on the political system that business leaders gain through lobbying fundraising can be viewed as part of the traditionalistic-individualistic political culture that is dominant in Texas. True False
True
In 2018, approximately how many people worked for the state bureaucracy in Texas? a. 325,000 b. 297,000 c. 152,000 d. 410,000
a. 325,000
Each member of the Texas Senate represents about ___________ people, while each member of the Texas House represents about_________ people. a. 811,000; 168,000 b. 1,000,000; 100,000 c. 168,000; 811,000 d. 350,000; 650,000
a. 811,000; 168,000
Why do interest groups offer people things like t-shirts or magazine subscriptions in return for joining the organization? a. Benefits or incentives are necessary to overcome the free-rider problem. b. Pluralism requires a resource exchange. c. This is the key difference between an interest group and a faction—factions do not offer any incentives for joining. d. State law requires that if people are going to do work for an interest group, they must be compensated in some manner.
a. Benefits or incentives are necessary to overcome the free-rider problem.
Conservative Democrats in Texas are also known as a. Blue Dog Democrats. b. Yellow Dog Democrats. c. Republicans. d. Libertarians.
a. Blue Dog Democrats.
What is the level of popularity of the commissioner system of city government in Texas today? a. Commissioner systems have never been used in Texas. b. It is the most popular form of city government in Texas. c. No city in Texas today has a pure commissioner system, but a handful claim a variation of the system. d. While less popular than the mayor-council system, the commissioner system is used by more than 100 cities in Texas today.
c. No city in Texas today has a pure commissioner system, but a handful claim a variation of the system.
What happens in a "pluralistic society"? a. People are accepting of all points of view and work together to create a welcoming environment for everyone. b. People don't join groups because of the collective action dilemma. c. People with common interests join together into groups and these groups compete with each other for power and influence. d. People join groups in order to receive selective benefits.
c. People with common interests join together into groups and these groups compete with each other for power and influence.
The governor may be removed from office only by impeachment with conviction by the a. attorney general. b. House. c. Senate. d. judiciary.
c. Senate.
Which entity has the main responsibility for collecting child-support payments? a. Texas comptroller b. Texas secretary of state c. Texas attorney general d. Texas governor's office
c. Texas attorney general
Which of the following was the largest PAC in Texas in the 2018 election cycle? a. TEXPAC b. Texas Organizing Project c. The Texas Association of Realtors d. Texans for Lawsuit Reform
c. The Texas Association of Realtors
The governor often uses the State of the State address to do which of the following? a. to announce the committee chairs for the legislative committees b. to call a special legislative session c. to describe his or her legislative priorities and agenda d. to issue a signing statement
c. to describe his or her legislative priorities and agenda
What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state? a. to collect child-support payments b. to oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy c. to handle elections and voter registration d. to coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government
c. to handle elections and voter registration
The governor often uses his message power a. to support candidates for office from his or her political party. b. to turn down legislation passed by the legislature. c. to highlight important components of the executive budget. d. to give instructions to members of the bureaucratic agencies.
c. to highlight important components of the executive budget.
An indictment is also known as a a. felony. b. guilty verdict. c. true bill. d. capital case.
c. true bill.
What is the most basic and fundamental duty citizens have in a democracy? a. signing a petition b. financial contributions c. voting d. attending a rally
c. voting
When does interest-group capture occur? a. when a state agency helps mobilize support for the interest group's primary fundraiser for the year b. when the interest group mobilizes the get-out-the-vote operation for a candidate c. when a state agency ends up furthering the objectives of the interest group rather than behaving as an independent actor d. when the interest group ends up controlling some fundamental tasks of the agency, such as budgeting or auditing
c. when a state agency ends up furthering the objectives of the interest group rather than behaving as an independent actor
Each county has at least how many district courts? a. 10 b. 2 c. 14 d. 1
d. 1
By 2019, what percentage of district judges in Texas were women? a. 43 b. 17 c. 13 d. 37
d. 37
Based on a 2017 Gallup poll, ____________ of Texans identified as being Republican or leaning Republican, while _______________ of Texans identified as being Democratic or leaning Democratic. a. 60 percent; 20 percent; b. 55 percent; 30 percent c. 47 percent; 26 percent d. 41 percent; 38 percent
d. 41 percent; 38 percent
While the governor's term in office used to be 2 years, it was changed to _____ years with a constitutional amendment adopted in _________. a. 5; 1980 b. 4; 2000 c. 6; 1996 d. 4; 1972
d. 4; 1972
In Texas, plea bargains are used to get convictions approximately ___________ of the time. a. 33 percent b. 55 percent c. 13 percent d. 97 percent
d. 97 percent
In 2011, the Texas legislature passed a voter identification law that requires a photo identification in order to vote. Which form of photo identification is acceptable? a. an occupational photo ID b. photo ID card issued by colleges and universities c. a hunting and fishing photo ID d. Department of Public Safety-issued personal ID card
d. Department of Public Safety-issued personal ID card
Although the Democratic Party dominated state politics for much of the twentieth century, by the 1950s it faced internal divisions between ________ and ________ Democrats. a. conservative; moderate b. moderate; liberal c. Blue Dog Democrats; Yellow Dog d. liberal; conservative
d. liberal; conservative
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) focuses on a. getting out the vote of minority voters across Texas. b. providing information and voters guides to help voters make informed decisions. c. providing legal support for Latino candidates for public office. d. monitoring changes in electoral law that may suppress the votes of minorities.
d. monitoring changes in electoral law that may suppress the votes of minorities.
Which of the following tends to lower voter turnout? a. detailed voter guides b. early voting c. local elections occurring at the same time as presidential elections d. most elections are for low-visibility offices
d. most elections are for low-visibility offices
Members of the Texas Republican Party have become more conservative and members of the Texas Democratic Party have become more liberal. This evolution best defines a. partisan allegiance. b. the two-party system. c. partisan drift. d. partisan polarization.
d. partisan polarization.
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a(n) a. advocacy association. b. campaign revenue association. c. interest group. d. political action committee.
d. political action committee.
Special districts in Texas are primarily paid for by revenue generated by a. income taxes and sales taxes b. sales taxes and federal grants c. income taxes and user fees d. property taxes and user fees
d. property taxes and user fees
The legislature has "directive and supervisory powers" that include the ability to a. impeach government officials for improper behavior. b. confirm judicial nominations. c. require members to hire a certain number of interns each year. d. review each state agency every twelve years.
d. review each state agency every twelve years.
The ____________________ is the only member of the plural executive to be appointed rather than elected to office. a. comptroller b. lieutenant governor c. attorney general d. secretary of state
d. secretary of state
Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes? a. capital murder cases b. violations of federal law c. felonies d. small claims
d. small claims
In the commissioner form of government, a. the elected commission has legislative power, while the elected mayor has executive power. b. the elected mayor shares executive power with the appointed commissioner, while the city council has legislative power. c. the elected city council performs the legislative functions, and also appoints a commissioner to perform the executive functions. d. the legislative and executive functions are performed by the elected commissioners.
d. the legislative and executive functions are performed by the elected commissioners.
The Speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor are viewed as among the most powerful actors in Texas government because a. they have the ability to set the initial legislative budget. b. they call special sessions of the legislature. c. they usually move on to higher levels of office, such as governor. d. they have enough institutional powers to be able to influence which legislation passes and which legislation is killed.
d. they have enough institutional powers to be able to influence which legislation passes and which legislation is killed.
Mayors are elected using at-large elections because a. it is an unpaid position and must use a special kind of election. b. non-partisan elections must be at-large elections. c. local elections must be conducted using at-large elections. d. they represent the entire geographical area of the city rather than one specific district.
d. they represent the entire geographical area of the city rather than one specific district.
What type of government is called hidden government because people often do not know it exists?
special purpose districts
The lieutenant governor is the only member of the plural executive, other than the governor,
to have both executive and legislative powers.
General elections in Texas are always held on the third Tuesday of November. True False
False
A lobbyist is an individual employed by a political action committee who tries to influence governmental decisions on behalf of that group. True False
False
All cities in Texas with pension funds have sufficient funding to meet their obligations to be able to pay retirees. True False
False
Candidates running under a party label are bound and required to support everything in the party platform. True False
False
Commissioner governments are designed to run school districts and other special purpose districts throughout the state. True False
False
Compared to other states, Texas has some of the strictest laws dealing with lobbying from former government officials. True False
False
Dates for special elections are specified by the Texas Secretary of State, who oversees and administers all elections in Texas. True False
False
Districts for members of the Texas House include more people than districts for members of the Texas Senate. True False
False
Early voting was adopted in Texas to increase the chances of Republican candidates being elected to office. True False
False
Gaining access to politicians through personal connections is a violation of Texas state laws. True False
False
General bills apply only to a specific location like one city or one county. True False
False
If Texas wanted to encourage the development of more third parties, what steps could it take? a. Require voters to declare a party identification to participate in primary elections. b. Adopt an open primary method of selecting nominees for each party. c. Require that all parties develop an outreach plan for how they will attempt to appeal to voters. d. Replace the single member district, "first past the post" electoral system with one that uses proportional representation.
Replace the single member district, "first past the post" electoral system with one that uses proportional representation.
Civil law focuses on __________________, while criminal law focuses on __________________. a. disputes about relationships, obligations, and responsibilities; violations of codes of right and wrong as determined by criminal statutes b. only issues regarding money; all other issues related to the law c. violations of normative standards; disputes regarding implementation of law d. matters involving juveniles and families; matters involving adults
a. disputes about relationships, obligations, and responsibilities; violations of codes of right and wrong as determined by criminal statutes
Executive power in Texas is a. divided among multiple officials, each elected by the people, to ensure that no one person has too much power. b. set up so that Texas has one of the strongest governors in the United States. c. divided among multiple officials, each appointed by the governor, to ensure that no one person has too much power. d. modeled after executive power in the federal government, where the governor and lieutenant governor have powers similar to the president and vice president.
a. divided among multiple officials, each elected by the people, to ensure that no one person has too much power.
The _________________ begins with primary elections and concludes with general elections. a. electoral cycle b. electoral structure c. electoral district d. electoral system
a. electoral cycle
The most recent census was conducted 2020, with a reapportionment completed soon after based on its results. Assuming the Texas population increased from its 2010 total, as a result of this reapportionment, Texas will most likely a. gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. b. gain seats in the U.S. Senate. c. see no change in its allocation of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. d. lose seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
a. gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Which of the following are the most important factors that influence whether or not someone votes? a. income level and education b. education and ethnicity c. ethnicity and income level d. employment status and education
a. income level and education
Which individuals are legally disqualified from voting? a. individuals who have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent b. convicted felons who have received a pardon c. individuals who have been arrested in the past d. individuals who have lost their voter registration card
a. individuals who have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent
A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a a. local bill. b. general bill. c. special bill. d. concurrent resolution.
a. local bill.
African Americans have been elected a. mayor of the three largest cities in Texas. b. to each position in the plural executive. c. to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. d. to serve in more than half of elected positions within the state government.
a. mayor of the three largest cities in Texas.
Which of the following tends to lower voter turnout? a. most elections are for low-visibility offices b. local elections occurring at the same time as presidential elections c. early voting d. detailed voter guides
a. most elections are for low-visibility offices
The fundamental principles and positions supported by a political party are explained in the a. party platform. b. party guidebook. c. party primary. d. party manifesto.
a. party platform.
In Texas, special elections are used to a. ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution. b. approve a vote of no confidence. c. impeach a corrupt politician. d. determine election dates.
a. ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Texas was the first state in the South to a. ratify the women's suffrage amendment. b. elect a black governor. c. impose a poll tax. d. elect a Latino governor.
a. ratify the women's suffrage amendment.
The process of ________ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population. a. reapportionment b. census taking c. preclearance d. redistricting
a. reapportionment
What is one of the key functions of the county executive committee? a. running the county's primary elections b. registering new voters c. selecting someone to serve as precinct chair d. writing the party's platform
a. running the county's primary elections
When people vote in a primary election, they are a. selecting a party's candidate for the general election b. selecting precinct chairs throughout the state c. selecting a party's delegates for the precinct convention d. selecting a party's delegates for the state convention
a. selecting a party's candidate for the general election
Courts that can review matters relating to probate, which is the disposition of estates and property of deceased people, are referred to as what? a. statutory probate courts b. statutory county courts c. district courts d. constitutional probate courts
a. statutory probate courts
One type of appointment power often used by governors is called patronage, where a. the governor rewards supporters by appointing them to office. b. the governor sets standing reservations at his or her favorite restaurants in Austin. c. the governor selects individuals for staff positions with members of the legislature. d. the governor determines which vendors will be given state contracts.
a. the governor rewards supporters by appointing them to office.
In Texas, political parties help candidates by providing a. training for a campaign. b. materials needed to run a negative campaign. c. legal assistance to respond to policy challenges. d. fundraising for constitutional amendments.
a. training for a campaign.
What happens in a bench trial? a. The trial is one of great public interest and is covered by the media, with television cameras located on special benches so that the faces of the jury are not made public. b. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge. c. The defendant is represented by a public defender instead of a private attorney. d. Multiple defendants who are all accused of the same crime are tried together and share one trial.
b. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge.
Who is responsible for leading the precinct convention? a. The precinct executive committee b. The precinct chair c. The precinct president d. The precinct commission
b. The precinct chair
Why are factions within parties important? a. The factions are the best way for the state party and the national party to communicate with each other. b. These groups have their own priorities, and the party must be able to manage the factions to be able to prevent any of the groups from leaving the party. c. The factions complete the feedback loop between the precinct convention, county convention, and state convention. d. The factions provide a way for legislators to be able to connect directly with voters.
b. These groups have their own priorities, and the party must be able to manage the factions to be able to prevent any of the groups from leaving the party.
What is the importance of the Supreme Court's decisions in Reynolds v. Sims and Baker v. Carr? a. They declared that preclearance was an unconstitutional abridgement of state power. b. They declared the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote." c. They declared the Voting Rights Act of 1965 constitutional. d. They declared poll taxes unconstitutional.
b. They declared the constitutional principle of "one person, one vote."
What was the problem Speaker Sam Rayburn identified with the "steak men" at the beginning of the twentieth century? a. They were legislators who would attempt to cut all the meat out of the budgets. b. They were legislators who would "sell" their votes on a bill for free steak dinners. c. They were lobbyists who Rayburn said were full of "bull." d. They were politicians who were in the pocket of the cattle industry.
b. They were legislators who would "sell" their votes on a bill for free steak dinners.
When do Texans vote in general elections to elect members of Congress? a. Monday in November of odd-numbered years. b. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. c. Monday in November of even-numbered years. d. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years.
b. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas? a. Judicial candidates, by law, are prevented from actively campaigning for office. b. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
b. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
Which statement concerning women's suffrage is correct? a. Women were given the right to vote in the original Constitution of 1876. b. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. c. Women were given full suffrage rights in Texas in 1932. d. The Texas Constitution was amended in 1899 to permit women to vote.
b. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
A school district is a. administered by the county commissioners' court. b. a special district. c. ruled by the federal government in Washington, D.C. d. established by each incorporated city.
b. a special district.
The motor voter law a. requires that all states offer mail-in ballots. b. allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license. c. restricts a citizen's right to vote if he or she has a certain number of points on his or her driver's license. d. was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
b. allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license.
Special sessions of the legislature a. are called infrequently because they are very expensive. b. are called frequently because the legislature is unable to complete all of its required business in the allotted 140 days of its regular sessions. c. can only be called to deal with issues related to passing a budget. d. can only be called by a joint resolution passed by both the House and the Senate.
b. are called frequently because the legislature is unable to complete all of its required business in the allotted 140 days of its regular sessions.
The practice of combining several individual campaign contributions into one larger contribution from a group in order to increase the group's impact is known as a. PAC-ing. b. bundling. c. soft money. d. bribery.
b. bundling.
Cities and towns in Texas often see rapid population growth. Such growth requires school districts to quickly expand. In this type of situation, school districts use __________________ to borrow the necessary funds to achieve this goal. a. general obligation bonds (GABs) b. capital appreciation bonds (CABs) c. revenue anticipation notes (RANs) d. capital investment bonds (CIBs)
b. capital appreciation bonds (CABs)
What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear? a. appeals on civil and criminal cases b. civil appeals c. final appeals on all civil and death penalty cases d. both trial and appeals in tort-law cases
b. civil appeals
Constituent service can play an important role in a. being able to successfully pigeonhole a bill. b. creating a personal relationship between legislators and constituents, and gives legislators an advantage when running for reelection. c. the Speaker's ability to make sure that members are assigned to committees that match their interest and skills. d. being able to successfully filibuster a bill.
b. creating a personal relationship between legislators and constituents, and gives legislators an advantage when running for reelection.
According to the Dillon Rule doctrine, a. home-rule cities must publish all proposed ordinances and regulations at least 90 days before they go into effect. b. general-law cities and towns are much more constrained than home-rule cities, and cannot take any action unless explicitly authorized by a law passed by the state. c. city council members elected in single-member districts must live in the district that they represent. d. in a weak-mayor system, the mayor does not have a vote at city council meetings.
b. general-law cities and towns are much more constrained than home-rule cities, and cannot take any action unless explicitly authorized by a law passed by the state.
One goal of the deferred retirement option plan (DROP) was to a. allow firefighters and police officers in the large cities to delay retirement to 30 years of service, but receive a bigger pension. b. keep Dallas police officers and firefighters working on the job instead of retiring and collecting their pension after 20 years of service. c. encourage teachers to work for more than 20 years to receive a larger pension from the state. d. allow state employees to privately invest their retirement savings rather than pay into a state-run pension account.
b. keep Dallas police officers and firefighters working on the job instead of retiring and collecting their pension after 20 years of service.
In Texas, the ____________________ is responsible for redistricting. a. lieutenant governor b. legislature c. judiciary d. governor
b. legislature
Which of the following are employed to express the values of interest groups? a. pressure groups b. lobbyists c. legislative assistants d. executive appointees
b. lobbyists
A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a a. special bill. b. local bill. c. concurrent resolution. d. general bill.
b. local bill.
In addition to meeting the age, citizenship, and residency requirements, which of the following would you need in order to be a viable candidate for governor in Texas? a. a degree from a Texas university so that you meet the minimum education requirements b. money, since campaigns have become very expensive c. a background in business so that you will be able to manage the budget of the various state agencies d. a law degree so that you can understand all aspects of the job
b. money, since campaigns have become very expensive
Compared to the national average, Texans tend to rank ______________ on measures that are related to civic engagement. a. in the upper 25 percent b. near the bottom c. in the middle d. in the top 5 percent
b. near the bottom
Why is the Texas governor's power exceptionally weak as compared to that of the governors of some other states? a. inability to appoint any administrative heads b. plural executive system c. tenure limits d. lack of a line-item veto
b. plural executive system
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a(n) a. campaign revenue association. b. political action committee. c. advocacy association. d. interest group.
b. political action committee.
The States' Rights Party, also known as the Dixiecrats, split with the national Democratic Party over which issue? a. economic policy b. racial integration c. military intervention in Vietnam d. education policy
b. racial integration
Since each member of the plural executive except the _______________ is independently elected, they are ultimately accountable to a. comptroller; the governor. b. secretary of state; the voters. c. lieutenant governor; the cabinet. d. attorney general; the legislature.
b. secretary of state; the voters.
Which of the following is the most common form of local government in Texas? b. special districts c. city government
b. special districts
The situation in which individuals receive the benefits of collective action without contributing is known as a. "coattailing." b. the "free rider problem." c. "benefit stealing." d. the "welfare state."
b. the "free rider problem."
What resource(s) are interest groups able to use to influence politics? a. the franking privilege b. the ability to raise money c. running candidates for office under the label of the group d. sponsoring legislation
b. the ability to raise money
County judges preside over a. statutory courts. b. the county commissioners' court. c. the county court of appeals. d. the district court for that county.
b. the county commissioners' court.
When we talk about "bureaucracy," we are referring to a. layers of red tape that are purposefully designed to frustrate residents so that they leave government alone. b. the formal rules, tasks, official structure, and organizational principles that allow large organizations to accomplish their goals. c. a component of checks and balances intended to balance the power of the plural executive. d. a bridge between the legislative and executive branches to facilitate communication during the short legislative sessions.
b. the formal rules, tasks, official structure, and organizational principles that allow large organizations to accomplish their goals.
In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor? a. the comptroller of public accounts b. the lieutenant governor c. the secretary of state d. the Speaker of the state House of Representatives
b. the lieutenant governor
Who is responsible for fundraising for the party and establishing the party's policies? a. the state policy planning committee b. the state executive committee c. the state advisory committee d. the state steering committee
b. the state executive committee
The county chair is selected by the _________________, while the _______________ selects the state chair and vice chair. a. state party convention; national party officers b. voters in the party primary; state party convention c. county party convention; state party convention d. voters in the party primary; voters in the general election
b. voters in the party primary; state party convention
What happens in a bench trial? a. The trial is one of great public interest and is covered by the media, with television cameras located on special benches so that the faces of the jury are not made public. b. The defendant is represented by a public defender instead of a private attorney. c. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge. d. Multiple defendants who are all accused of the same crime are tried together and share one trial.
c. The defendant gives up his or her right to a trial by jury. Instead, the trial is conducted with only the judge.
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy? a. The Senate will use the governor's budget plan as its blueprint for the upcoming session. b. The governor will address the full Senate at the beginning of each legislative session. c. The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees. d. The governor will not veto a bill without first giving the bill's Senate sponsor an opportunity to amend it.
c. The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees.
Why are factions within parties important? a. The factions provide a way for legislators to be able to connect directly with voters. b. The factions complete the feedback loop between the precinct convention, county convention, and state convention. c. These groups have their own priorities, and the party must be able to manage the factions to be able to prevent any of the groups from leaving the party. d. The factions are the best way for the state party and the national party to communicate with each other.
c. These groups have their own priorities, and the party must be able to manage the factions to be able to prevent any of the groups from leaving the party.
Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas? a. Most judicial candidates fill their campaign literature with arcane legal analysis. b. Judicial candidates, by law, are prevented from actively campaigning for office. c. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election. d. Most voters never go to court, so they have little knowledge upon which to base their decisions.
c. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
In Texas, county governments are responsible for which of the following tasks? a. administration of ordinances and regulations b. administration of water districts c. administration of social services d. administration of school districts
c. administration of social services
If an interest group "gets on the late train," then it means a. the group's lobbyists are unable to gain access to key politicians until after all opposing lobbyists have been heard. b. an interest group picks up on an issue only after public-opinion polling shows a great deal of support. c. an interest group gives contributions after the election to a winning candidate the group had earlier opposed. d. a political action committee donates money for a candidate in the general election but not in the primaries.
c. an interest group gives contributions after the election to a winning candidate the group had earlier opposed.
QUESTION 10 The Voting Rights Act has been renewed several times since 1965, and new provisions have been added since then. For example, a. proof of American citizenship is now required to vote. b. proof of residency is now required to vote. c. bilingual ballots are now required in certain areas where more than 5 percent of voters speak another language. d. a current form of photo identification is now required to vote.
c. bilingual ballots are now required in certain areas where more than 5 percent of voters speak another language.
Interest groups use judicial strategies in order to a. mobilize citizens. b. testify before legislative committees. c. challenge existing policies and laws within the court system. d. inform and educate public officials.
c. challenge existing policies and laws within the court system.
The ________ convention is a meeting held by a political party following its precinct convention for the purpose of electing delegates to its state convention. a. regional b. special district c. county d. city
c. county
Who collects the taxes owed to the county? a. county clerk b. county treasurer c. county tax assessor-collector d. county auditor
c. county tax assessor-collector
The governor has some control over the final appropriations bill through the use of the ________ veto. a. reduction b. pocket c. line-item d. amendatory
c. line-item
Which of the following are employed to express the values of interest groups? a. legislative assistants b. pressure groups c. lobbyists d. executive appointees
c. lobbyists
Which of the following tends to lower voter turnout? a. early voting b. detailed voter guides c. most elections are for low-visibility offices d. local elections occurring at the same time as presidential elections
c. most elections are for low-visibility offices
An interest group that serves as an umbrella organization to coordinate the activities of member groups in specific targeted areas is known as a(n) a. coordination association. b. interest group coalition. c. peak association. d. facilitation cooperation.
c. peak association.
At the most basic and fundamental level, parties are organized into _______________________. a. county caucuses b. wards c. precincts d. districts
c. precincts
What is one of the key functions of the county executive committee? a. writing the party's platform b. registering new voters c. running the county's primary elections d. selecting someone to serve as precinct chair
c. running the county's primary elections
Arguably, the largest and most effective public employee interest group in Texas is made up of a. justices of the peace. b. police officers. c. teachers. d. firefighters.
c. teachers.
Which offshoot of the Democratic Party preselected candidates for the Democratic primary and prohibited African Americans from participating? a. the La Raza Unida b. the Shivercrats c. the Jaybird Party d. the American Independent Party
c. the Jaybird Party
Why are statewide officials such as the governor and lieutenant governor elected in nonpresidential years? a. Having important elections every November increases voter turnout because people get into a routine of voting every November. b. Since these are nonpartisan elections, they are held at different times so that voters are not confused. c. The Texas Constitution requires that statewide offices be placed on a ballot by themselves with no other races on the ballot. d. It prevents presidential candidates from influencing the outcome of Texas races.
d. It prevents presidential candidates from influencing the outcome of Texas races.
Who argued in Federalist 10 that "factions" would play an important role in American politics? a. Ben Franklin b. Thomas Paine c. George Washington d. James Madison
d. James Madison
________ is a system of representation that encourages third-party voting because it allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote. a. Duverger's Law b. A single-member district c. Multimember representation d. Proportional representation
d. Proportional representation
The ________ movement was a movement during the 1950s in which conservative Democrats in Texas supported Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency. a. La Raza Unida b. Constitutionalist c. Dixiecrat d. Shivercrat
d. Shivercrat
Which scenario would make a runoff primary most likely to occur? a. Two candidates running for the Republican nomination for governor have similar sounding names that confused voters. b. One candidate participating in the primary process is accused of violating campaign finance rules, requiring that the primary elections be "rerun" through a runoff election. c. There was a delay in processing voter registrations, and more than one-third of the eligible voters were unable participate in the primary election. d. Six candidates are all running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
d. Six candidates are all running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
In Texas, ________ create(s) special purpose districts. a. the county commissioners' court, with local voter approval b. the Texas legislature c. the governor d. Texas voters in the areas that will be covered
d. Texas voters in the areas that will be covered
Battleground Texas is a get-out-the-vote (GOTV) effort undertaken by which group? a. The Texas Republican Party b. The Texas Medical Association c. The American Legislative Exchange Council d. The Texas Democratic Party
d. The Texas Democratic Party
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy? a. The governor will not veto a bill without first giving the bill's Senate sponsor an opportunity to amend it. b. The Senate will use the governor's budget plan as its blueprint for the upcoming session. c. The governor will address the full Senate at the beginning of each legislative session. d. The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees.
d. The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees.
Why would it be beneficial for an interest group to open an office in Austin? a. State law requires that all interest groups that want to set up a PAC must have an office in Austin. b. The media only covers interest groups that are located in Austin. c. Voters will take the group more seriously if they have an Austin address. d. They can develop long-term relationships with lawmakers and continually present the views of the organization.
d. They can develop long-term relationships with lawmakers and continually present the views of the organization.
When do Texans vote in general elections to elect members of Congress? a. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. b. Monday in November of even-numbered years. c. Monday in November of odd-numbered years. d. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
d. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
Under a merit selection plan, a. the candidates' qualifications for office appear next to their names on the ballot so that voters can make informed decisions. b. the House nominates candidates for judicial positions who are then confirmed by the Senate. c. voters play an even larger role in determining who serves as a judge in Texas. d. a blue-ribbon commission recommends several people to the governor as possible nominees, the governor nominates one of those individuals who must then be confirmed by the Senate, and after about a year in office, the judge must run in a retention election.
d. a blue-ribbon commission recommends several people to the governor as possible nominees, the governor nominates one of those individuals who must then be confirmed by the Senate, and after about a year in office, the judge must run in a retention election.
The chief lawyer for Texas is the a. state comptroller. b. secretary of state. c. chief justice of the state supreme court. d. attorney general.
d. attorney general.
QUESTION 2 If a governor is impeached and convicted, then he or she a. must reimburse the state for the cost of the trial in the Senate. b. can be pardoned by the lieutenant governor. c. can appeal the conviction to the Texas Supreme Court. d. cannot subsequently hold any other state office.
d. cannot subsequently hold any other state office.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is best described as what kind of interest group? a. public employee b. ideological c. public interest d. civil rights
d. civil rights
One major way for interest groups to promote the political interests of elected officials who support their viewpoints and oppose the interests of those who do not is by a. buying media access. b. hiring staff personnel. c. letter writing. d. contributing to campaigns.
d. contributing to campaigns.
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller? a. overseeing the state police and the Texas Rangers b. enforcing all state land-use and -takings laws c. regulating the oil industry in the state d. estimating state revenues for the legislature
d. estimating state revenues for the legislature
Most interest groups tend to give campaign contributions to ______________________. a. supporters of environmental interests b. political parties c. Democrats d. incumbents
d. incumbents
As the chief budget officer of Texas, a. the Chief Accountant is responsible for submitting the executive budget to the governor and lieutenant governor for approval. b. the Treasurer is responsible for submitting an executive budget to the comptroller before the legislative session begins. c. the Comptroller of Accounts submits an executive budget to the legislature that reflects spending limits that have been approved by the governor. d. the Governor submits an executive budget that outlines his or her spending priorities for the next biennium.
d. the Governor submits an executive budget that outlines his or her spending priorities for the next biennium.
The debate over preemption between local self-governance and control by the state government echoes which of the following: a. debates between home-rule cities and general-law cities about property rates and school funding b. debates between the state governments and the federal government about which level of government should make governing decisions c. debates between the counties and the cities about who is responsible for road maintenance d. debates between home-rule cities and unincorporated areas about annexation policies
debates between the state governments and the federal government about which level of government should make governing decisions
