Unit 5 Gov Bellringers
D. Occasional voters will not be able to vote on election day, which could influence election results.
A number of states, including Georgia and Ohio, have passed laws that revoke voter registration if a person did not vote in recent election cycles. Which of the following is a likely consequence of these laws? A. Voters would have a lower sense of efficacy, which would lead to lower turnout. B. Citizens would have to pay a fine if they tried to vote, which will significantly lower turnout. C. Younger voters will be less likely to register to vote since there is a chance their votes won't be counted. D. Occasional voters will not be able to vote on election day, which could influence election results.
A. Prospective voting
A person votes for Democratic candidates based on the belief that the policies of the Democratic Party will be personally beneficial. This type of voting matches which of the following voting behavior models? A. Prospective voting B. Retrospective voting C. Split-ticket voting D. Sociological voting
B. 14
Identify the amendment: Everyone born in the US has the rights of due process and equal protection. Used in selective incorporation. A. 12 B. 14 C. 16 D. 17
D. 17
Identify the amendment: Increasing democracy and lessening the power of political party machines: Direct election of senators A. 12 B. 14 C. 16 D. 17
C. The effect of recent economic conditions on the voters
If voters are acting according to the retrospective model of voting, which of the following will be the most important consideration in their decision? A. The party affiliations of the candidates B. The campaign promises made by the candidates C. The effect of recent economic conditions on the voters D. Whether the candidates will act in the best interest of the voters if elected
A. Retrospective voting
Senator Hoffman is campaigning for reelection in her state. Her campaign message emphasizes how the policies she has supported have benefited her constituents. She has spotlighted job creation and an overall improvement in the standard of living in the state in the past six years. Senator Hoffman is hoping to appeal to which of the following voting behavior models? A. Retrospective voting B. Prospective voting C. Party-line voting D. Rational-choice voting
B. evangelical Christians
Since the early 1980s, the Republican Party platform has been increasingly influenced by A. environmental activists B. evangelical Christians C. civil libertarians D. labor unions E. active military officers
B. Cable news programming is oftentimes ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view.
A 2017 study in The American Economic Review found that watching Fox News during an election cycle increased a Democrat's chances of voting Republican by 28 percent. Conversely, by watching MSNBC Republicans were more inclined to vote Democrat by 8 percent. This scenario best illustrates which of the following about the media? A. Increased media choices tend to reinforce existing beliefs when citizens are offered ideological choices in programming. B. Cable news programming is oftentimes ideologically driven and effective in persuading citizens to adopt their point of view. C. The consumption of news tends to increase voter participation for Republicans but is less effective in increasing participation for Democrats. D. Modern political parties have launched air campaigns to persuade voters by purchasing advertisements on 24-hour news networks.
D. Single-member districts
An emerging third party is struggling to get congressional candidates elected to office. Which of the following is a feature of the American political system that would explain why the party is struggling to achieve its goal? A. The free-rider problem B. Candidate-centered campaigns C. Voter identification laws D. Single-member districts
D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
An important Senate race takes place in the state of Georgia. Rather than focus on the issue positions taken by the candidates, a 24-hour cable news station instead focuses primarily on poll results and campaign strategies using a "big board" to show the counties where each candidate has the most support. Which of the following is an effect of this type of new coverage? A. The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. B. The electorate will be less likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. C. The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process. D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
A. Republicans
Based on the above chart, which party likely opposes gun control? A. Republicans B. Democrats C. Are you still reading this? You know we have a two-party system. D. Seriously, with single member districts, gerrymandering, and the electoral college - there is little chance of a viable 3rd party taking hold in this country.
D. Lobbying state legislatures to shift from a winner-take-all system to a proportional voting system
Based on the data in the chart, which of the following strategies would best help third-party candidates like Jill Stein and Gary Johnson increase their chances of winning elected office? A. Allowing third-party candidates to create political action groups to raise money when campaigning in swing states B. Employing campaign managers to develop get-out-the-vote strategies for campaigns in swing states C. Developing strong party platforms that would attract independent and undecided voters in swing states D. Lobbying state legislatures to shift from a winner-take-all system to a proportional voting system
E. when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties
Critical elections in the United States typically have occurred A. as a result of a temporary shift in the popular coalition supporting one or both parties B. whenever a third party has secured more than fifteen percent of the presidential vote C. each time a Republican has been elected President D. when voter turnout has declined significantly from the previous election E. when groups of voters have changed their traditional patterns of party loyalties
D. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.
Critics of the winner-take-all aspect of the electoral college are most likely to make which of the following arguments? A.The winner-take-all system of the electoral college undermines the rights of states. B. A state's presidential election results rarely mirror a state's congressional election results. C. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college drives presidential candidates to focus on winning states that are considered to be part of their core supporters. D. The winner-take-all system of the electoral college encourages presidential candidates to focus their time and effort disproportionately on battleground states with larger populations.
C. Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making
In 1980, a small group of parents personally affected by drunk driving formed the group Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Over the past four decades, they have grown in number and have lobbied on state and local levels promoting legislation such as stricter limits on blood alcohol levels for drivers. MADD is an example of which of the following? A. Political party with the goal of influencing public opinion B. Social movement with the goal of influencing the federal budget C. Single-issue group with the goal of impacting policy making D. Bureaucratic agency implementing policy
D. Parties solicit funds from private donors who oftentimes contribute large sums of money.
In which of the following ways do political parties primarily rely on to finance their election activities? A. Parties rely primarily on tax revenue. B. By winning elections, parties are able to fund government programs they care about. C. Parties sell posters, stickers, buttons, and other products. D. Parties solicit funds from private donors who oftentimes contribute large sums of money.
D. Request that the Supreme Court to declare the school voucher and privatization programs unconstitutional.
The National Education Association (NEA) is an organization of teachers, administrators, and other educators who work together to advance the interests and impact of public education. One of the NEA's goals is to support public education by ending government funding of voucher programs that promote school privatization. Vouchers give parents financial incentives to send their children to private schools rather than having children attend local public schools. Which of the following strategies would be the most effective way to achieve the NEA's goal of furthering the interest of public education? A. Lobby members of congressional committees to vote against all legislation that would support school voucher programs. B. Petition Congress to hold an oversight hearing of the Department of Education on private and public school funding. C. Increase membership in the NEA by offering new members financial benefits. D. Request that the Supreme Court to declare the school voucher and privatization programs unconstitutional.
A. Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making.
The animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urges its members to take action in support of what they term "animal friendly" legislation through their website. In addition to providing information about important issues that legislators may vote on, the nonprofit organization also describes the best ways to contact a legislator and tips on how best to interact with lawmakers. Which of the following is being illustrated in the scenario? A. Interest groups sometimes form around a narrow set of issues with the goal of impacting policy making. B. Interest groups lacking funding can overcome the free-rider problem by proposing legislation on their website. C. Interest groups work to mobilize citizens and members of Congress to form an iron triangle. D. Interest groups post messages on social media to request donations from members.
E. party realignment
The concept of "critical elections" is most closely associated with A. the electoral college process B. elections during wartime C. the nomination process D. economic recession E. party realignment
B. Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states.
The data in the graph best illustrate which of the following common criticisms of the electoral college? # of Residents per Electoral Vote WY ||| WV ||||||| AL |||||||||| CA ||||||||||||| (| = residents per vote) A. Small states have fewer electoral votes than large states and therefore have no impact on presidential elections. B. Individuals in small-population states have a greater impact on the electoral college than individuals in large-population states. C. Candidates from states with a large number of electoral votes have a major advantage in the electoral college. D. Smaller states have more electoral votes than larger states, which distorts the popular vote.
C. There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions.
The graphic illustrates which of the following statements about political parties? A. Federalism leads to a multiparty system in which at least three parties generally compete for control of local, state, and national governments. B. The founders refused to join political parties because they agreed that parties were contrary to the public interests, so parties did not form until well after the ratification of the Constitution. C. There is an ongoing debate between political parties over the power and scope of the federal government, even as economic and demographic changes have altered party coalitions. D. The Constitution settled the debate over the power of the federal government, but political parties formed nonetheless to help Congress organize itself over regional interests.
B. reinforce existing political beliefs
Tom believes that the government should be limited in its regulation of the economy, but he wants to find out more about economic policy. As he researches the topic, he increasingly relies on a well-respected conservative blog as his main source of information. Tom's actions demonstrate the tendency of individuals to seek out information from sources that A. integrate social and economic concerns B. reinforce existing political beliefs C. use empirical data to support conclusions D. focus on individual opinions rather than group consensus
C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group.
Two interest groups are competing for influence in Congress. One group represents banking institutions, while the other advocates for consumer protections. A critic of the influence of interest groups would make which of the following claims? A. The interest groups will nominate a slate of candidates for office to compete against each other in the next election in order to determine which interests prevail. B. The consumer protection group will appeal only to Republican leaders, while the banking interests will appeal only to Democratic leaders. C. The banking interest group likely has greater financial resources and access to policy makers than the consumer protection group. D. The consumer protection group is prohibited by federal regulations from direct lobbying.
D. Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)
Which of the following Supreme Court cases is most related to the topic in the cartoon? A. United States v. Lopez (1995) B. McDonald v. Chicago (2010) C. Shaw v. Reno (1993) D. Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (2010)
A. A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices
Which of the following activities by interest groups best illustrates attempts to educate members of Congress on public policy? A. A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices B. A law-reform group sending alerts to its members encouraging them to contact their representatives A single-issue group holding a rally in Washington to show support for their cause A PAC giving contributions to the reelection campaigns of members of Congress
A. A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices
Which of the following activities by interest groups best illustrates attempts to educate members of Congress on public policy? A. A green energy group sending a research report to congressional offices B. A law-reform group sending alerts to its members encouraging them to contact their representatives C. A single-issue group holding a rally in Washington to show support for their cause D. A PAC giving contributions to the reelection campaigns of members of Congress
C. Smaller states are disproportionately advantaged by the two additional electoral votes granted to each state for its senators.
Which of the following arguments best supports a claim that the electoral college violates democratic principles? A. The winner-take-all system encourages candidates to campaign in every state, which limits the attention each state will receive from the candidates. B. Electors are chosen by the voters in each state, which gives parties undue influence over candidates' success. C. Smaller states are disproportionately advantaged by the two additional electoral votes granted to each state for its senators. D. The electoral college lacks transparency because electors frequently switch their vote during the national convention.
C. Political parties usually recruit and train people at the local level they believe are most fit to run for office.
Which of the following best explains how most candidates are recruited to run for office? A. Candidates for office usually first work as lawyers for political parties before running for office. B. Most candidates who run for office are recruited by political leaders to do so because they are famous. C. Political parties usually recruit and train people at the local level they believe are most fit to run for office. D. Most candidates running for office are selected after earning merit working for the government.
A. Parties send volunteers to knock on doors to register voters.
Which of the following best explains how parties link citizens to the electoral process? A. Parties send volunteers to knock on doors to register voters. B. Parties recruit candidates to run for election. C. Parties research how best to frame issues in campaigns. D. Parties determine the leadership of congressional committees.
B. Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups.
Which of the following best explains how political parties are likely to respond to the data in the chart? A. Political parties are likely to continue to stand by their traditional positions and not bother to appeal to groups that have not previously been included in their base. B. Political parties will adapt their positions and find ways to appeal to voters from growing demographic groups. C. Political parties will adapt by switching from candidate-centered campaigns to campaigns that strategically mobilize voters across the country with a consistent message. D. Political parties will advocate for proportional representational systems so that groups with larger populations are able to win seats and be represented more fairly in government.
B. States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution.
Which of the following best explains why eligibility criteria vary by state as shown on the information graphic? A. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is not incorporated to the states. B. States can create criteria for voting rights so long as they do not violate the United States Constitution. C. The president is selected through the electoral college process, and therefore citizens do not actually have a real vote in presidential elections. D. The Voting Rights Act guarantees that each state may determine its own procedures for elections.
D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
Which of the following describes the potential impact on the electorate when daily media coverage of elections focuses primarily on the newest poll results? A. The electorate will be increasingly divided along partisan lines. B. The electorate will be less likely to turn out to vote on Election Day. C. The electorate will be more likely to have expanded knowledge of the electoral process. D. The electorate will be less able to accurately compare the policy platforms of candidates running in the election.
C. A teacher who does not join the local teachers union but receives a salary negotiated by the union
Which of the following exemplifies the free-rider problem for interest groups? A. A supporter of the Second Amendment who is a member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) B. A bird enthusiast who contributes to the Sierra Club to receive a free bird-watching guide C. A teacher who does not join the local teachers union but receives a salary negotiated by the union D. A 50-year-old woman who joins the AARP to get a discount card
B. In both, a limited approach to government regulation was argued for.
Which of the following explains how The Federalist 10 relates to the decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010) ? A. Both regarded factions as destructive to liberty. B. In both, a limited approach to government regulation was argued for. C. In The Federalist 10, the author opted for stricter regulation of factions, whereas in Citizens United, petitioners argued that regulation was a violation of liberties. D. The Federalist 10 supports free speech, whereas the Citizens United decision opposes free speech.
B. Incumbents have an advantage over challengers because of name recognition.
Which of the following factors contributes most to the data in the line graph? A. Challengers have easier access to television, magazines, and newspapers. B. Incumbents have an advantage over challengers because of name recognition. C. Incumbents are often at a disadvantage because they are too busy working on legislation to campaign. D. Challengers are often given larger donations from interest groups and can outspend incumbents.
B. People could participate in the political process by directly electing the senators.
Which of the following is an effect of the Seventeenth Amendment? A. State legislatures gained more power over national and local elections. B. People could participate in the political process by directly electing the senators. C. Suffrage for women greatly expanded in national elections. D. African American males could vote in national and state elections.
B. The California state government is more likely to address issues that affect older voters.
Which of the following is most likely an effect of the data reported in the chart? A. Younger voters were more likely to vote in the 2016 presidential election. B. The California state government is more likely to address issues that affect older voters. C. Political parties will work to recruit more younger candidates to run for office. D. The media will likely be skeptical of the general election results
C. The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats.
Which of the following is the best explanation for the trend in voting behavior after the 2000 election (more young voters)? A. Many states lowered their voting age after 2000, which led to an increase in Democratic Party voters. B. Most younger voters who were Democrats in the 1980s became more conservative as they grew older and ended up supporting Republicans after 2000. C. The events that shaped the generation turning 18 after the year 2000 tended to create more liberal-minded voters who supported Democrats. D. Most younger voters after 2000 adopted political positions that were opposed to their parents' point of view.
C. Members of Congress receive political contributions from many special interest groups.
Which of the following is the best interpretation of the political cartoon? A. Members of Congress are richer than the people they represent. B. Members of Congress represent a wide diversity of political and economic interests. C. Members of Congress receive political contributions from many special interest groups. D. Members of Congress are specialists in economic policy issues.
C. Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the 2016 presidential election.
Which of the following is true based on the information graphic? A. All citizens over 18 years old are eligible to vote regardless of where they live, but only about 56% actually do vote. B. Voters from 18 and 54 are far more likely to vote than voters over 54, but this can depend on which state they live in. C. Over 75% of the population is eligible to vote, but only about half the electorate actually voted in the 2016 presidential election. D. Voters ages 18-35 are less likely to vote because some states restrict voting only to citizens over the age of 21.
D. News media outlets report the results of public opinion polls that show the relative popularity of presidential candidates.
Which of the following portrays an accurate example of horse race media coverage? A. After a lengthy investigation, a newspaper publishes an article about a candidate receiving thousands of dollars in illegal campaign funds. B. A cable news show intentionally smears a candidate by running an exaggerated story about indiscretions in a candidate's personal life. C. A candidate announces her intention to run for president of the United States on Twitter rather than through a television appearance. D. News media outlets report the results of public opinion polls that show the relative popularity of presidential candidates.
B. Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals.
Which of the following provides the most accurate explanation of how consumer-driven media increases partisan polarization? A. Consumer-driven media tends to avoid discussing controversial political topics. B. Consumer-driven media reinforces existing political biases in individuals. C. Consumer-driven media relies heavily on corporate advertising. D. Consumer-driven media is overwhelmingly conservative.
A. A decrease in the role of political parties in campaign management
Which of the following represents a consequence of candidate-centered electoral campaigns? A. A decrease in the role of political parties in campaign management B. A decrease in the number of third-party candidates on the ballot C. A decrease in the amount of money spent on political campaigns D. A decrease in voter outreach and mobilization efforts
C. A citizen casts votes for all Republicans based solely on the candidates' affiliation with the Republican Party.
Which of the following scenarios best represents an example of party-line voting? A. A citizen always votes for the candidate who supports conservation of the environment. B. A homeowner votes for a candidate based on the candidate's promise to lower property taxes. C. A citizen casts votes for all Republicans based solely on the candidates' affiliation with the Republican Party. D. A citizen votes for the incumbent member of the House of Representatives after receiving help processing his disability claim.
C. Lobbyists from the energy industry provide information to the Department of Energy before the department head testifies before the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives.
Which of the following scenarios depicts the concept of an iron triangle? A. A well-funded PAC and professional campaign consultants meet with congressional Democrats to discuss strategy and campaign spending for the upcoming election. B. A group of citizens mobilize to conduct a letter-writing campaign, voter registration drive, and public rally in an attempt to influence the policy decisions of lawmakers. C. Lobbyists from the energy industry provide information to the Department of Energy before the department head testifies before the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives. D. A former member of Congress decides not to run for reelection and instead accepts a job as a corporate lobbyist.
A. Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence the candidates.
Which of the following scenarios explains how demographic factors affect voter participation in elections? A. Wealthier individuals are more likely to become involved in campaigns because they believe that their actions may influence the candidates. B. Individuals who belong to marginalized groups are likely to participate in elections because their issues are often highlighted by political party leaders. C. Political action committees (PACs) raise money from their donors, which they use to run television advertisements during campaigns. D. Gerrymandered districts are likely to produce competitive districts, which leads to lower turnout rates in elections.
C. An eighteen-year-old votes in a presidential election.
Which of the following scenarios is most related to the Twenty-Sixth Amendment? A. A primary election is held to determine the candidate who will run as the Republican for the United States Senate. B. An interest group purchases a television ad prior to an election. C. An eighteen-year-old votes in a presidential election. D. A woman votes in a local election.
D. Members of the House of Representatives are more likely to be reelected than defeated.
Which of the following statements can be supported by the data in the line graph? A. Democratic members of Congress are reelected at a higher rate than Republican members of Congress. B. The overall rate at which members of Congress are reelected is less than 30 percent. C. Senators are more likely to be reelected than members of the House of Representatives. D. Members of the House of Representatives are more likely to be reelected than defeated.
B. Political parties use the social media site Instagram to reach out to younger voters to inform them about upcoming elections and encourage them to register to vote.
While the central goal of political parties is to win elections, parties can also support democracy. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates this relationship? A. A political party changes its stance on environmental policy after its candidates receive large contributions from an energy company. B. Political parties use the social media site Instagram to reach out to younger voters to inform them about upcoming elections and encourage them to register to vote. C. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure uses research given to it from the American Society of Civil Engineers when amending an infrastructure bill. D. A former member of Congress takes a job as a political consultant to advise current members on their campaigns and raise money for elections.
