huge 2
Prior to ________, Texas governors were elected to two-year terms, with most being elected to a maximum of two consecutive two-year terms. Since then, governors have been able to get elected to unlimited four-year terms.
1974
. The Republican Party took control of the Texas Supreme Court for the first time since Reconstruction in
1988.?
Texas Democrats have been relegated to a minority status at the state level since
1994
. The Texas Republicans got control of the House of Texas Legislature for the first time since Reconstruction in
1998
Texas was the first southern state to ratify the _____ amendment.
19th
Know about women's suffrage in Texas.
19th amend. ratified in 1919, gave women the right to vote Anti-women rights activist- Joseph Bailey, Farmer Jim Ferguson Pro-women rights activist- Tinie Wells, wife of Jim Wells. William P. Hobby
Latinos currently represent __________ percent of the Texas population
38
Latinos currently represent _____ of the population of Texas
38 percent
The Texas governor is ranked ________ among other states in overall institutional powers.
39th
Length of a senate term
4
The 2012 presidential elections broke all fundraising records with over ______ spent.
4 billion dollars
Approximately what percentage of the state's voting age population is registered to vote
70 percent
Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote?
70 percent
___% of states voting age population is registered to vote.
70%
Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote?
70.3%.
40 percent
Approximately _____ of Texas appellate judges are women.
800
Approximately how many justice of the peace courts exist in Texas?
Individuals are most likely to successfully lobby government when they
Are not challenged by powerful, organized interest groups.
Differences between bills passed by the House and Senate are resolved by what type of committee?
Conference
Texas trial lawyers frequently ally with
Consumer interest groups
e
Elections lost due to party membership rather than race or ethnicity do not violate (p. 265) a) the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. b) Fair Elections Act. c) Article I of the Texas Constitution. d) Clements v. Maddox. e) the Voting Rights Act.
The existence of lobbying is protected by the:
First Amendment.
What was George Washington's relationship with political parties in early America?
He thought political parties were a terrible idea.
Campaigns attempt to reach voters through all of the following EXCEPT
Involvement in high-profile litigation
Campaigns attempt to reach voters through all of the following except
Involvement in high-profile litigation
What is the requirement to attend a precinct convention?
Must vote in general election.
Which of these reduced tariffs among the US Mex and Canada
N American Free trade agreement
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called
Preclearance.
TAKE HOME QUIZ: At which hearing does the judicial officer determine whether probably cause is sufficient against the accused to proceed to trial?
Preliminary hearing
What was the problem Speaker Sam Rayburn identified with the "steak men" at the beginning of the twentieth century?
.They sell their vote on a bill for dinner
Major statewide officials are elected in nonpresidential election years because
.This arrangement seeks to prevent popular presidential candidates from influencing the outcomes of Texas races
The main role of the precinct convention is to
.To select delegates for the county convention and to submit resolutions to the party's state platform
Which demographic group has the largest percentage share of voters in Texas?
.White
Common ways for interest groups to gain access to politicians and policy makers?
.funding, info, expertise
Highly partisan legislation passed in 2011 now requires Texans to
.photo identification cards
Conservative Democrats in Texas are also known as
.shivercrats**
Women were given the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the.
.the 19th amend.
The pattern, beginning in the 1950s, of Texans voting for a Republican president but sticking with conservative Democrats for state offices is called.
.the shivercrat movement
3 general problem for judges
1) mastering the breadth of the law they must know and Apply 2) administering the court and the docket while supervising court staff 3) coping with the psychological discomfort accompanies the new position
How many cases does the Supreme Court usually here in about a year?
100 cases
Highly partisan legislation passed in 2011 now requires Texans to
Provide photo identification when voting
b
Providing a label that helps voters identify those seek- ing office is an important function of (p. 107) a) the state. b) political parties. c) interest groups. d) regional and subregional governments. e) the president.
Preclearance
Provision under section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 requiring any changes to election procedures or district lines to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia.
Setting local telephone and electric rates is the responsibility of the
Public Utilities Commission.
The largest and most effective public employee interest group in Texas is made up of
Public school teachers.
Which of the following is the best example of a public interest group?
Public school teachers.
In Texas, ______ is/are responsible for redistricting
The legislature
In Texas, __________ is/are responsible for redistricting
The legislature
For a Texas governor, what is the benefit of a post-adjournment veto?
The legislature is prevented from overriding it.
Which of the following about the lieutenant governor in Texas is incorrect?
The lieutenant governor is a full member of the Texas Senate.
How is the lieutenant governor normally chosen?
The lieutenant governor is elected statewide.
a
The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of (p. 200) a) the Texas Senate. b) the governor's cabinet. c) the Texas Legislature. d) the Legislative Conference committees. e) the Treasury.
Which of the following about the lieutenant governor in Texas is incorrect?
The lieutenant governor's powers are primarily executive, not legislative.
Precinct Chair
The local party official, elected in the party's primary election, who heads the precinct convention and serves on the party's county executive committee.
Class C
The lowest class of misdemeanor is which of the following?
district courts
The main trial courts in Texas are called:
c
The major trial courts in Texas are the (p.251) a) courts of appeals. b) justice of the peace courts. c) district courts. d) municipal courts. e) county courts.
traffic and parking violations
The majority of cases in municipal courts involve
traffic misdemeanors
The majority of the cases that justice of the peace judges hear are those regarding what?
Precinct
The most basic level of political organization at the local level.
What is the standard of proof used for civil cases in Texas?
The plaintiff must meet the preponderance of evidence.
Articles of impeachment against a governor are
brought by the House and tried in the Senate
Three of the most influential types of interest groups in the United States are:
business, agriculture, and labor.
Public-interest groups:
claim to represent the general good rather than special interests.
The most important federal law involved in the expansion of the franchise in Texas was
The voting Rights Act of 1965.
The Texas Constitution and election laws have implemented a primary system in Texas that uses a(n) _________ primary.
closed
he written opinions of appellate courts have been described as halfway between ______ and ______.
common law and statutory law
When justices agree with the ruling of a court majority but not all of its reasoning, they may often write a(n)
concurrence
Negotiating a compromise on bills which differ on passage in each House is the function of
conference committee.
1. In 1964, the Twenty-fourth Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution to ban poll tax in state elections.
True
10. Texas campaign contribution laws are lax.
True
3. The greatest single factor in determining voter turnout is level of education.
True
The Supreme Court is established under Article III of the U.S. Constitution.
True
The governor makes approximately 3,000 appointments to executive boards and commissions during a single term in office.
True
Entertaining politicians is one of the most critical ways for lobbyists to gain access.
True.
General elections for all national, state, and local offices must be held in November.
True.
Reapportionment involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population.
True.
Redistricting and scandal are the two greatest threats to an incumbent's electoral
True.
Spending on issue advocacy ads by PACs need not be reported by a candidate.
True.
Texans tend to vote less than the national average.
True.
Texas instituted early voting in order to expand participation.
True.
The Texas Election Code lists the responsibilities of precinct chairs.
True?
Which of the following is not a qualification a person would need to be a viable candidate for governor of Texas?
born in Texas
Biennial sessions have the effect of
both A and C.
Parliamentary procedures enable
both B and C.
The Texas governor has all of the following legislative powers except the power to
break tie votes in the Senate.
The Texas governor has all of the following legislative powers EXCEPT the power to
break tie votes in the senate.
The size of the U.S. Supreme Court is set by
congress
midterm elections
congressional elections that do not coincide with a presidential election; also called off-year elections (page 371)
The salary of the lieutenant governor is determined by the
constitution
The salaries of the Texas legislators can be changed only by
constitutional amendment
When a lawyer charges a client only if the case is won, it is called a
contingency fee.
The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even numbered years is the day for which election a) primary election b) runoff primary c) runoff for the general election d) secondary election e) general election
e) general election
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
estimating tax revenues for the legislature
How frequently does a general election occur in Texas?
every 2 years
A justice of the peace determines if there is enough evidence to justify a trial
false
TAKE HOME QUIZ: The four-tiered federal system that includes supreme courts, circuit courts of appeal, district courts and magistrate courts is called _________________.
federal court system
______ is an example of a justice who advocated judicial restraint.
felix frankfurter
The county court has the power to hear all of the following types of cases, except ______________________.
felony cases
The governor of Texas has
few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States.
Most Texas Democrats today would be classified
liberal
The governor has some control over the final appropriations bill through the use of the ________ veto.
line-item
Docket
list of cases to be heard
Early Voting had _____ effect on Voter turnout.
little
Which of the following is not usually considered a function of political parties?
lobbying
A city council seat is selected in a ___________ election.
local
An election to select school board members is called a
local election.
like most other states, Tex lobbies the federal gov for relief from
mandates and preemptions
In Harris County and in other large urban counties, the state trial courts are given specialized jurisdiction over all of the following, except ___________________.
maritime law
Which of these is not a legislative power of the governor?
may exercise the pocket veto.
The most costly item for most political campaigns is
media advertising.
Running for statewide office in Texas costs a great deal of money. Campaigns spend most of their money on
media, in particular television, radio, and print advertising.
The lower house of the Texas legislature is:
members elected from districts of roughly equal population.
When a congressional election is held that does not coincide with a presidential election, it is called a(n)
midterm election.
misdemeanor
minor criminal cases punishable by one year or less of prison time
In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court was required to rule on the issue of ______, due to the fact that the pregnancy had already come to term.
mootness
Virtually all contemporary campaigns make extensive use of opinion polling, and to be competitive a candidate must use ______ polls to gauge public support.
random sample public-opinion polls
The process of ______ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population.
reapportionment
A(n) ____ allows voters an opportunity to remove state officials from office before their terms expire.
recall election
Which of these powers does the Legislature not have?
recurrent.
The process of citizens circulating a petition to have the right to vote to remove a law is called a
referendum.
Prosecutor
represents the people, The victims in a particular, and investigate crimes -Evaluates the offenses report and other documents to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to bring charges (Gate keepers of the justice system)
Which of the following is NOT a requirement to vote in Texas?
requirements are - 18 yrs old, U.S. citizen, resident of Texas for 30 days, resident of the county for 30 days.
The Motor Voter Act of 1993
requires that states allow ppl to register to vote when applying for drivers license.
Under the US Constitution, the powers of the states are protected by which constitutional principle?
reserved powers
magistrate judges
responsible for overseeing some of the early hearings of a criminal trial when routine matters are carried out
Majority party uses redistricting to ____ by creating as many friendly districts as it can.
retain power
What is the most frequent and best-known action of Supreme Court justices in their role as circuit justices?
reviewing requests for stays of execution
Know the typical threat to an incumbent running for reelection.
scandal and redistricitng
Which is the only major statewide officeholder appointed by the governor?
secretary of state
A political party is different from an interest group in that a political party...
seeks to control the entire government by electing its members to office and thereby controlling the government's personnel
The speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is:
selected by a majority vote of his fellow representatives.
straight-ticket voting
selecting candidates from the same political party for all offices on the ballot (page 373)
Senatorial courtesy describes the practice of
senators from a president's party approving of a judicial nominee from their home state.
Which public policy is most consistent with the principles of a unitary system of government?
setting national test standards for all elementary students across the country
Why did many Republicans oppose President Obama's nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court?
she supported affirmative action
majority opinion
signed by at least five of the nine members of the court
The system of allocating representatives to Congress and the Texas legislature by individual districts, rather than by allocating votes proportionally, is referred to as
singe-member district.
Duverger's Law states that
single-member district systems result in two-party systems.
One important cause of the United States' two-party system is...
single-member electoral districts.
In Texas, _______________ are used to fill vacancies in office, to give approval to borrow money, or to ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution.
special elections
A person who votes for a Democratic candidate for Governor and a Republican candidate for Attorney General is voting a
split ticket
The doctrine of ______ requires courts to follow authoritative prior decisions when ruling on a case.
stare decisis
In the American federal system, which level of government is largely responsible for managing elections?
state and local government
intermediate courts of appeal
state courts that stand between trial courts and courts of last resort; they typically have appellate jurisdiction only
Which state office was eliminated in 1996?
state treasurer
machines
strong party organizations in late-ninteenth- and early-twentieth-century American cities
The budget powers of the governor include
submitting a budget to the Legislature.
In order to win support for their causes, lobbyists must
supply powerful arguments and good information.
What did president Harry Truman do that angered many southern Democrats?
supported a civil rights bill that was defeated in Congress
Unless the legislature adjourns, the governor has ___ days (excluding Sundays) to dispose of enacted legislation.
ten
Which office is charged with ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures?
the Department of Agriculture
The Voting Rights Act (1965) requires any changes to election procedures or district lines to be approved by
the Department of Justice.
In the post-Civil War era, the only parts of Texas that showed significant Republican leanings were
the German counties in Texas hill county, and Dallas county.
After thirty-six years of dominating U.S. political life, the Republican Party lost power after _________ began.
the Great Depression
In terms of the number of committees in the Texas Legislature, which statement is true?
the House has more committees than the Senate
Senatorial courtesy refers to
the custom that allows an individual senator to block the governor's appointment of a person who lives in that senator's district
What makes the greatest difference between strong and weak governors of Texas?
the differences in personality
How do campaigns attempt to reach voters?
through print and electronic media, mail, door-to-door campaigning, speeches to large and small groups, coffee hours, and telephone solicitation
The most costly item for most political campaigns is
Paying for media ads account.
a
Philosophically, in the past few years, Texas courts became (p. 269) a) more pro-defendant in civil cases. b) more liberal. c) more pro-defendant in criminal cases. d) more conservative. e) hostile to tort reform.
Public opinion
Attitudes that people have about issues, events, elected officials, politics, and policy
Whose opinions have the force of law unless they are successfully challenged in court?
Attorney general
Texas Department of Transportation
Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the ____ in 2005.
Redistricting is when legislature __________.
Draws new congressional districts to comply with the changes in the overall # of seats allowed in the state
When are gubernatorial elections held?
During even-numbered years that are not presidential election years
When are elections for state offices held?
During even-numbered, nonresidential elections years
Redistricting in Texas occurs
Every 10 years
Reapportionment in Texas
Every 10 years, TX must go through the process of reapportionment
When does redistricting in Texas occur?
Every 10 yrs.
Which of the following is the essence of the rule of law?
Every state must judge government officials by the same laws as its citizens are judged.
Redistricting in Texas occurs
Every ten years
Interest groups are limited to lobbying the legislature; they cannot lobby executive agencies or the courts.
False**.
Interest groups representing labor organizations dominate Texas politics.
False**.
8. The winning party in the governor's race is listed second on the ballot in elections for the following four years.
False- First
African Americans have the largest percentage share of voters in Texas.
False.
Blue Dog Democrats are becoming more and more popular in Texas.
False.
Compared to other southern states, Texas has a large African American population.
False.
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Texas was a competitive, two-party state.
False.
Gaining access to politicians through personal connections is a violation of Texas state laws.
False.
In Texas, the most local level of a party organization is the county.
False.
In the 2010 general election, every official elected at the state level was Republican.
False.
Interest groups in Texas are not allowed to run paid advertisements in the media.
False.
It is relatively easy for an independent candidate to get on the Texas ballot.
False.
Latinos currently make up over 50 percent of the Texas population.
False.
True or
False.
County Executive Committee
The party group, made up of a party's county chair and precinct chairs, that is responsible for running a county's primary elections and planning county conventions.
Purpose of the White Primary
To prohibit blacks from voting in the Democratic party
Why might the special session be used?
To put pressure on the legislature to discuss and resolve an important issue. The Grangers also wanted to limit legislative power, so they made sure that only the governor could bring an issue to a vote during a special session.
Texas was the first state in the South to
To ratify the women's suffrage amend..
What is the court of last resort in the United States?
US Supreme Court
which of the following Supreme Court decision restricted federal authority and enhanced state authority
US vs Lopez
In 1944, the Court ruled white primaries _________.
Unconstitutional
ONLINE QUIZ: With which international body is the International Court of Justice associated?
United Nations
TAKE HOME QUIZ: How long does the jury deliberate?
Until they reach a verdict.
Why was partisanship in Texas judicial elections not an issue until 1978?
Up until that time, Texas was essentially a one-party state.
The governor's item veto applies only to
appropriations bills.
Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?
are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
Which of the following is part of the Miranda rule?
arrested people have the right to remain silent
The Republican Party was formed...
as a coalition of antislavery forces.
The chief lawyer for Texas is the
attorney general.
If you want to run for a seat in the House of Representatives, you will probably need to raise more than
$1 million.
How much was the poll tax? (in relation to farm workers)
$1.50-1.75 OR several days of farm workers wages
Under federal law, individuals may donate as much as ____ per candidate per election and up to ______ per national party committee per calendar year.
$2,700; $33,400
Under current federal rules, individuals may donate a maximum of ____ to any single candidate and up to _____ to a political action committee.
$2,700; $5,000
Approximately what percentage of all court cases in the United States are heard in federal courts?
1
Most PAC spending in Texas represents
**.
What (4) types of elections are found in Texas?
-General -Primary -Special -Runoff
Bribery is
.
Know reasons for forming a PAC?
.
Maximum length of a regular legislative session
140
The ________ protects the right of African-American men to vote.
15 Amendment
The number of members in the Texas House of Representatives is
150
In what year was Marbury v. Madison decided?
1803
. The Texas Democratic Party was established in
1854
Number of senators
31
Earlier restrictions in election on Women.
1918 TX granted women right to vote in primary's/party conventions
In ______, the first woman to serve as a Texas state judge was appointed.
1935
The Latino movement known as La Raza Unida occurred during the
1960's
The Latino movement known as La Raza Unida occurred during the
1960s .
The Latino movement known as La Rasa Unida occurred during the
1960s.
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections in __________ but remained legal in state elections in Texas until __________.
1964; 1971
The U.S. Constitution was amended in ______ to give eighteen-year-olds the right to vote.
1971
General elections are held the _______ following the 1st Monday in November of even numbered years.
1st Tuesday
A general election occurs every ___ years in Texas.
2
Length of a representative term
2
Early voting increases the polling period from 12 hours to
2 weeks
After 1994, Democrats controlled the Texas house until __________, but republicans held every statewide office.
2002
Minimum age for a representative
21
Primary Election
A ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election.
local bill
A bill in the Texas legislature that would allow a county to establish a new community college would be classified as a
Booking
A clerical procedure for when an arrestee is taken to jail and a record is made of his or her name, address, charges, arresting officers, time and place of arrest,...
the top-of-the-ticket effect
A common benefit in elections is having a positive party label to support candidates through the elections and into victory. What is this benefit referred to as?
Initial appearance
A formal proceedings during which the accused is read his or her rights, informed of the charges and given the amount of bail required to secure pretrial release
twelve
A grand jury consists of how many individuals to possibly hear a case?
Lobbyist
A individual employed by an interest group who tries to influence governmental decisions on behalf of that group.
Standing
A legal doctrine requiring that one must not be a party to a lawsuit unless he has a personal stake in its outcome
Causation
A link between one's act and the injurious act or crime, such as one tossing a match in a forest and igniting a deadly fire
The 8F croud was
A loose but influential group of Texas businessmen
County Convention
A meeting held by a political party following its precinct conventions, for the purpose of electing delegates to its state convention.
Precinct Convention
A meeting held by a political party to select delegates for the convention and to submit resolutions to the party's state platform; precinct conventions are held on the day of the party's primary election and are open to anyone who voted in that election.
misdemeanor
A minor criminal offense, usually punishable by a small fine or a short jail sentence, is a(n)
Plea negotiation or bargaining
A pre-convention process between the prosecutor and the accused in which a plea of guilty is given by the defendant, with certain specified considerations in return
Open Primary
A primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regardless of party affiliation.
Closed Primary
A primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote.
Political Action Committee
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns.
Early Voting
A procedure that allows voters to cast ballots during the two-week period before the regularly scheduled election date.
Discovery
A procedure where in both the prosecution and the defense exchange and share information as to witnesses to be used, results of tests, recorded statements by defendants, psychiatric reports... --Known as "Brady material"
Runoff Primary
A second primary election held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first primary election if no candidate in the first primary election had received a majority.
felony
A serious criminal offense that subjects a person to state prison is a(n)
The system of allocating representative to Congress and the Texas legislature by individual districts, rather than by allocating votes proportionally, is referred to as
A single-member district
Which of the following is not a requirement to vote in Texas?
Being a resident of Texas for at least one year
Preliminary hearing
A stage in the criminal process conducted by a magistrate to determine whether a person charged with a crime should be held for trial based on probable cause; does not determine guilt or innocence
Poll Tax
A state-imposed tax on voters as a prerequisite for voting; poll taxes were rendered unconstitutional in national elections by the Twenty-Fourth Amendment, and in state elections by the Supreme Court in 1966.
Dual court system
A term basically meaning there are both state and federal court systems (colonial courts)
Since the creation of our current "two-party" system, when was the last time a "third-party" candidate won the presidency of the United States?
A third parties has never won the presidency since the inception of our current system.
Presidential Republicanism
A voting pattern in which conservatives vote Democratic for state offices but Republican for presidential candidates.
grand jury
A(n) ______ determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial.
Which committees in the Texas legislature most closely resemble select committees in the U.S. Congress?
Ad hoc committees
In order for Texas to regain full statehood, it had to extend voting rights to
African American males.
Voting Rights act of 1965 ensured that ______ were not discriminated against at polls.
African Americans
collecting child-support payments
Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?
"First Past the Post"
An election rule that states that the winner is the candidate who receives a plurality of votes.
Special Election
An election that is not held on a regularly scheduled basis; in Texas, a special election is called to fill a vacancy in office, to give approval for the state government to borrow money, or to ratify amendments to the Texas constitution.
Single-Member District
An electorate that is allowed to elect only one representative for each district.
Describe an interest group.
An org. established to influence the govs programs and policies.
Who was the founder of the Democratic Party?
Andrew Jackson
Blue Dog Democrats
Another name for conservative Democrats, mostly from the south.
It is a committee designed to make differing House and senate versions of the same bill identical.
As in the U.S. Congress, what is the purpose of a conference committee in the Texas legislature?
Candidates began making a switch from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.
Between 1980 and 1985, judicial candidates in Texas made a mass change in their campaign strategies. What was that change?
A legislature with two chambers is known by which of the following terms?
Bicameral
The practice of combining several indivduals campaign contributions into one larger contribution from a group in order to increase the group's impact is know as
Bundling
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
Bundling.
Most political action committee spending in Texas represents
Business
How were women given the right to vote?
By the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment
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 engaged in
Campaign Contributions
Candidates are responsible for _______, running the campaign, and ________.
Campaign strategy and raising funds
All of the following are modern-day tactics for preventing certain groups from voting EXCEPT
Canceling an election at the last minute
In Texas elections, the __________ plays the largest role ib the running campaigns.
Candidates
Which is NOT a reason for forming a political action committee
Candidates are more likely to allow political action committee to purchase media access during election seasons
One effects of the high cost of campaigns in Texas is that
Candidates are often very wealthy individuals willing to use their own money in campaigns
Non partisan election
Candidates part affiliation not designated on the ballot
Which of the following reforms enacted in Texas has increased turnout?
Casting ballot using Internet
ONLINE QUIZ: Which type of plea bargain affords the defendant the opportunity to plead guilty to a lesser charge with the hope of receiving a lighter sentence?
Charge bargaining
Which of the following is NOT a common way for interest groups to gain access to politicans and policy makers
Chemicak company lobbyist
Today, the Texas Democratic Party's base is made up of which groups?
Cities .
Which statement about the devolution of national powers to the states is accurate
Clinton successfully fought for additional state influence over welfare policy
Texas has a ______ primary.
Closed
When the Supreme Court declared that the legislative veto was unconstitutional, in Immigration and Naturalization Services v. Chada, what was the response?
Congress and presidents have continued the practice; they just call it something different.
In he 1950s, who were known as the Shivercrats?
Conservative Democrats who voted for Republican presidential candidates
Which of the following political groupings has the most influence in the Texas legislature?
Conservative Republicans
By 2011, in Dallas County
DNA evidence was used to exonerate twenty-two wrongfully convicted men.
Which of the following is not a penalty for conviction on an impeachment charge in Texas?
Disqualification from holding any federal office
What is the significance of dissenting opinions?
Dissents are signs that the Court is in disagreement on an issue and could change its ruling.
What type of election is NOT the type of election found in Texas?
Distinguished
Strom Thurmond ran as a presidential candidate from what party?
Dixiecrat / State's Rights Party
Interest groups are often powerful in staes
Dominated by one party
What has 13 courts, 179 Judges ... And is appointed by President and confirmed by the Senate?
Federal court of appeals (Circuit courts)
The first "party system" in the United Stated consisted of...
Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans.
Huntsville
First prison in Texas was built in Huntsville and 1849 with 225 cells from 1870-1883
The Libertarian Party can be considered.
Fiscal Conservatives and social liberals.
______ was the former Texas Speaker of the House who was indicted for taking an illegal gift from a law firm that specialized in collecting delinquent taxes for local governments.
Gibs Lewis .
Courts-Martial
Hearings held for the trial of military personnel accused of violating military law
Relative to gubernatorial succession, which of the following statements is true?
If the governor is in Oklahoma on a dove hunt, the lieutenant governor becomes acting governor.
The Speaker is elected by members of the House
How is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives chosen?
Battleground Texas is the latest attempt by the Democratic Party to do all of the folowing EXCEPT
Identify potential candidates
In Texas, special elections are held for all of the following reasons EXCEPT to
Impeach a corrupt politician
It cannot be overturned by the legislature
In Texas, why is a governor's post-adjournment veto so powerful?
start in the House of Representatives
In the Texas legislature, all bills dealing with state revenue must
Judicial misconduct
Inappropriate behavior by a judge
What is senatorial courtesy?
Informal practice where Senators can "derail" appointees from their district by disapproval (traditional only)
Ruiz V. Estelle 1980
Inmates right has been violated by prison director WJ estelle,who failed to oversee the problems of overcrowding, discipline, healthcare, security and supervision and axis to the courts.
ONLINE QUIZ: At what point during the trial does the judge explain that guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt?
Instructions to the Jury
d
Interest groups have a hard time defeating incumbent legislators unless (p. 174) a) the legislator is involved in scandal. b) the legislator has been redistricted. c) the legislator's positions have generated over- whelming opposition in the district. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.
When individuals or interest groups take out ads concerning a campaign issue but do not tie them directly to any particular candidate it is called
Issue advocacy
What is the power of senatorial courtesy?
It allows a senator to block an appointment where the appointee lives in his/her home district.
What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?
It announced that in primary elections states could not restrict voters on account of race
Who was the only Texas governor to be removed from office by impeachment?
James E. "Pa" Ferguson
Gubernatorial appointment
Judge appointed by the governor without a judicial nominating committee -May require confirmation by legislature or executive Council
Legislative appointment
Judges are nominated and appointed or elected by legislative vote only
What is established in Mulberry vs Madison, in the Supreme Court?
Judicial review
Who presides in the Texas Senate?
Lieutenant governor
Which Supreme Court case ruled that the federal gov had implied powers of chartering a national bank
McCulloch vs Maryland
Which groups have had notable political success by litigating in federal courts?
National Asssociation for the Advancement of colored ppl, league of united latin american citizens or the mexican american legal defense fund.
Poll Tax becomes illegal in _______ elections by the 24th amendment.
National elections
The only state with a unicameral legislature is
Nebraska
By about the 1940's, a split between liberal and conservatives developed in the Democratic Party that focused on
New Deal economic policies and civil rights measures
Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act states changes to election procedures must go through the process of _______.
Preclearance
Which interest groups have had little influence on public policy in Texas?
Organized labor
One of the reasons why party politics in Texas differs from that of other southern states is because
Other states have historically larger African-American (AA) populations, .
Court bargaining
Pleading guilty to, say, three of the charge accounts and having the remaining six counts thrown out
ONLINE QUIZ: What is the goal of discovery?
Promoting a fair trial
A system that allocates representation to legislatures that ensures a voice for minority parties is called a.
Prop. Repres..
Which of the following is NOT a requirement to vote in Texas
Property ownership
The Dixiecrats abandoned the national Democratic Party in the 1948 presidential election over the issue of
Racial integration.
Which of the following is a task of the Democratic and Republican National Committees?
Raising campaign funds
. The "Democrats of Texas" group was formed to back the candidacy of
Ralph Yarborough.
Nineteenth Amendment
Ratified in 1919, amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote.
Texas was the first state in the South to
Ratify the Women's suffrage amendment
Texas was the first state in the South to
Ratify the women's suffrage amendment
After Reapportionment occurs in Texas, _______ occurs.
Redistricting
Republican party has used the ______ process to gain power.
Redistricting
__________ was the former Texas Speaker of the House who was indicated for taking an illegal gift from a law firm that specialized in collecting delinquent taxes for local government
Restrictions on speaking fees
____ voting occurs when voting is based on the past performance of a candidate.
Retrospective
Which of the following types of legislation may not originate in the Texas Senate?
Revenue bills
Which person came up with the "southern strategy" to get white southerners to start voting Republican?
Richard Nixon
Who is our current governor?
Rick Perry
All of the following have been a lieutenant governor of Texas EXCEPT
Rodney Ellis
1924 investigation Texas Department of criminal Justice
Run by and nine member board appointed by the govern for staggered of six-year terms
Gubernatorial appointments in Texas must be confirmed by the state's
Senate.
What are the governor's Legislative Powers?
Session calling power Message power Veto power
The ______ made the white primary illegal.
Smith v. Allwright court decision
The Democratic Party in the state shrank to become the minority party when
The Reagan Revolution reached Texas
At which of the following stages of the legislative process would a bill most likely receive a hearing?
Standing committee
Most of Texas's African American population is concentrated in all of the following areas except
Suburban Dallas and Houston
What is HB 11?
The 11th bill introduced in the Texas House
Which of the following is the farmers interest group that influenced the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876
The Grange
Since the late 1980s, in what direction has the Texas Supreme Court moved regarding civil cases?
The Texas Supreme Court has taken a more pro-business direction.
district; county
The ____ attorney is more likely to represent the state in felony criminal cases, while the ______ attorney is more likely to represent the state in misdemeanor cases.
b
The ________ provides the governor with a powerful tool with which to bargain with the legislature. (pp. 196-97) a) ability to introduce five bills in a regular session b) post-adjournment veto c) pocket veto d) message power e) initiative
d
The governor's veto is absolute when it is a (p. 225) a) line-item veto. b) special veto. c) budgetary veto. d) post-adjournment veto. e) select veto.
ONLINE QUIZ: What happens is a defendant's right to a speedy trial has been violated?
The case is dismissed.
TAKE HOME QUIZ: What is the penalty for violating a defendant's right to a speedy trial?
The case is dismissed.
d
The chairs of the Texas House committees are (p. 201) a) of the same party as the Speaker. b) selected on the basis of seniority. c) chosen because of their experience. d) both Democrats and Republicans. e) independents.
What is the main function of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
The chief justice presides over the Court's public sessions and private conferences.
attorney general
The chief lawyer for Texas is the
State Executive Committee
The committee responsible governing a party's activities throughout the state.
County Chair
The county party official who heads the county executive committee.
b
The distinguishing feature of the 2010 and 2012 cam- paigns in Texas was (p. 153) a) the increased presence of third party candidates. b) the lack of emphasis on state issues. c) the candidates' focus on the state budget. d) the unusually low levels of money spent on media ads. e) the candidates' focus on welfare reforms.
e
The election for governor of Texas is held in an off-year in order to (p. 217) a) increase voter participation in elections in odd numbered years. b) influence the presidential vote in Texas. c) decrease the likelihood of voter fraud. d) give governors an opportunity to campaign for presidential candidates. e) prevent the presidential vote in Texas from influencing the election of state officials.
General Election
The election in which voters cast ballots to select public officials.
Which interest is NOT represented in a list of the top interest groups in Texas
The enviroment
Federal court system
The four tiered federal system that includes supreme courts, circuit courts of appeal, district courts, & magistrate courts
Which of the following best describes the changes in Americans' party identification since 1952?
The number of Democrats has declined but remains larger than the number of Republicans
. The number of delegates a precinct receives to the next higher party convention is based on
The number of votes the party's candidate received in the last governor's race
Duverger's Law
The observation that in a single member district system of electing representatives, a two party system will emerge.
appellant
The original ruling based on a legal mistake
Runoff primaries are generally held
The second Tuesday in April
Runoff primaries are generally held
The second Tuesday in April .
In Texas, primary elections are usually held in
The second Tuesday of March of even-numbered years.
Independent candidates are rarely on the Texas ballot because
The signature/petition requirements are often too stringent
Which movement has had the largest impact on state legislative races in recent years?
The tea party movement.
b
The traditional start of the campaign season is (p. 153) a) Memorial Day. b) Labor Day. c) Christmas. d) Thanksgiving. e) Veterans Day.
a
The two most important factors in determining whether someone will vote are (p. 145) a) income and education. b) education and family history of voting. c) income and gender. d) party membership and gender. e) ethnicity and race.
In Texas, which group is most likely to support the Republican Party?
The wealthy
In Texas, the most oppressive restrictions on the franchise was
The white primary
e
The first Tuesday following the first Monday in Novem- ber of even-numbered years is the day for which election? (p. 136) a) primary election b) runoff primary c) runoff for the general election d) secondary election e) general election
Why did the Texas constitution establish a plural executive?
There was suspicion of a strong chief executive.
How are committee chairs in the Texas Senate selected?
They are appointed by the lieutenant governor
Most of Texas's African American population is concentrated in all of the following areas EXCEPT
They concentrate in all areas of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.
TAKE HOME QUIZ: What right to counsel do indigent defendants have with regard to filing an appeal?
They have the right to appointed counsel for the first appeal.
Independent candidates are rarely on the Texas ballot because
They lack the political support of party org. and the adv. of having a party label on the ballot.
What do interest groups want from policy makers
They want policy that is beneficial for their groups
What was the problem Speaker Sam Rayburn identified with the "steak men" at the beginning of the twentieth century
They were legislators who would "sell" their votes on a bill for free steak dinners
Mid-1940s
This prison system was considered one of the worst in the United States
Why are major state officials elected in off years?
To limit influence of nationals elections on state elections
What is the purpose of a primary election?
To select a Party's candidate for the general election
What is the purpose of a primary election
To select a party's candidate for the general election
District court
Trial courts at the county, state, or federal levels with general and original jurisdiction... -Congress created 94 districts, 89 within 50 states -Congress created 678 District Court Judgeships for the 94 districts -300,000 cases a year
Texas has __________ laws dealing with lobbying by former government officals
Weak
the prosecutor
Which individual has the vast amount of discretion in determining whether to charge a person with a crime?
There was suspicion of a strong chief executive.
Why did the Texas constitution establish a plural executive?
Rule of four is when...
You have to get four Supreme Court justices to agree to hearing the case
James Ferguson
_____ is the only Texas governor to be both impeached and convicted.
The last Democratic president that carried the state of Texas was
`.Jimmy Carter
runoff election
a "second-round" election in which voters choose between the top two candidates from the first round (page 372)
The Texas legislature includes
a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives
If a trial is held before a judge only, and without a jury, it is
a bench trial
grand jury
a body that hears evidence and determines probable cause regarding crimes and can return formal charges against suspects; use, size, and functions vary among the states
incumbent
a candidate running for re-election to a position that he or she already holds (page 383)
booking
a clerical procedure for when an arrestee is taken to jail and a record is made of his or her name, address, charge(s), arresting officers, and time and place of arrest
The current salary for legislators in Texas was established by
a constitutional amendment.
arraignment
a criminal court proceeding during which a formally charged defendant is informed of the charges and asked to enter a plea or guilty or not guilty
The increase of administrative agencies since the New Deal has resulted in
a delegation of power by congress to administrative agencies
gender gap
a distinctive pattern of voting behavior reflecting the differences in view between men and women
Texas citizens vote at ______ rate than citizens of the U.S. in general.
a lower
Plaintiff
a person making the legal complaint
Which of the following concerning Texas elections is correct? a. In presidential elections, as the turnout nationally has declined since 1960, Texas's turnout has actually increased. b. In presidential elections, Texas's turnout is similar to U.S. turnout. c. In mid-term elections, Texas ranks higher in turnout than most other states. d. In mid-term elections, Texas has the same turnout as in presidential elections.
a. In presidential elections, as the turnout nationally has declined since 1960, Texas's turnout has actually increased.
A type of ballot used in a general election where all of the candidates from each party are listed in parallel columns is called a. party-column ballot. b. office-block ballot. c. nonpartisan column ballot. d. straight party voting.
a. party-column ballot.
Organizations that raise and then contribute money to political candidates are known as a. political action committees. c. caucuses. b. super political action committees. d. political parties.
a. political action committees.
The Texas Election Code requires each political party a. that receives 20 percent of the gubernatorial vote to hold a primary election. b. must use political conventions to nominate candidates. c. that is registered in the state to use the direct primary. d. to select a caucus, convention, or direct primary to nominate its party candidates.
a. that receives 20 percent of the gubernatorial vote to hold a primary election.
Before enactment, a proposed law or statute is known as a
bill
What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power? a. The power to appoint judges to appeals courts, with the senate's consent b. The power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts c. The power to restrict the types of cases the appeals courts may decide d. The power to remove judges e. The power to appoint all judges in the state
b. The power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts
What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state? a. To oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy b. To handle elections and voter registration c. To collect child-support payments d. To coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government e. To oversee the state's economic interactions with other states
b. To handle elections and voter registration
The Libertarian Party is an example of
b. coalitional party.
Minor political parties in the state prefer the office-block ballot because it a. makes voting easier. b. makes straight-ticket voting for the major parties more difficult. c. makes the major parties more accountable. d. encourages voting.
b. makes straight-ticket voting for the major parties more difficult.
Turnout in American general elections is __________ in comparison to other industrialized democracies of the world. a. slightly higher b. significantly lower c. about the same d. significantly higher
b. significantly lower
According to the rules of the Texas Senate, debate is:
basically unlimited.
Which of the following is true a) Poll taxes are legal b) Women acquired the right to vote in the original 1876 Texas Constitution c) The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election d) You do not have to be a resident of Texas to vote in Texas. e) Latinos vote at higher rates than African Americans.
c) The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election
In Texas, the most powerful interest groups represent which interests a) consumer b) civil rights c) business d) owners of oil wells e) public employee
c) business
Which of the following is not a type of election found in Texas a) general b) primary c) distinguished d) special e) run off primary
c) distinguished
When are gubernatorial elections held a) during presidential election years b) during odd numbered years c) during even numbered years that are not presidential election years d) every year e) every six months
c) during even numbered years that are not presidential election years
Lobbyists are a) all corrupt b) all unethical c) important sources of information for legislators d) harmful to the democratic process e) never retired legislators
c) important sources of information for legislators
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called a) redistricting b) reapportionment c) pre clearance d) external validation e) judicial review
c) pre clearance
Blue Dog Democrats were a) northeastern Democrats with conservative views b) southern Democrats with liberal views c) southern Democrats with conservative views d) northern Democrats with liberal views e) western Democrats with liberal views
c) southern Democrats with conservative views
One distinguishing feature of the 2014 campaign in Texas was a) the increased presence of the third party candidates b) the lack of emphasis on education policy c) the candidates' focus on equal pay for equal work d) the unusually low levels of money spent on media ads e) the candidates' focus on welfare reforms
c) the candidates' focus on equal pay for equal work
In a Primary Election, a) voters choose all local officials who will hold office in the following year b) voters select federal officials for office c) voters select their party's candidate for a general election d) voters choose third party candidates e) voters cast ballots on proposed constitutional amendments.
c) voters select their party's candidate for a general election
To win a Texas primary election, a candidate must receive a. a plurality of the popular votes. b. the most votes. c. 50 percent plus one of the votes. d. two-thirds of the vote.
c. 50 percent plus one of the votes.
The first African American elected to a statewide office in Texas was a. Billy Williamson. b. Morris Overstreet. c. Barbara Jordan. d. Linda Davis.
c. Barbara Jordan.
Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task? a. Enforcing civil rights laws b. Investigating complaints about local police behavior c. Collecting child-support payments d. Defending state laws in federal court e. Providing advisory opinions to state agencies
c. Collecting child-support payments
Once they register, voters are automatically sent renewals at their address of record by a. January 15th in even -numbered years. b. January 1st in odd-numbered years. c. January 1st in even-numbered years. d. No registration material is sent, because voter registration is permanent and therefore new cards are not needed.
c. January 1st in even-numbered years.
Which of the following techniques to prevent voting was never used in Texas? a. Poll taxes b. Early registration c. Literacy tests d. Annual registration
c. Literacy tests
A political party's ultimate aim is to a. canvass voters. b. finance party candidates. c. nominate candidates in the primary or convention and get them elected. d. serve as advisors to county administrators.
c. nominate candidates in the primary or convention and get them elected.
A __________ is held when one of the two top contenders of a second primary did not receive a majority of the votes. a. direct primary c. runoff primary b. primary d. second primary
c. runoff primary
One factor that severely limits the number of people seeking legislative positions in Texas is:
cost of waging an effective campaign
In Texas, the legal standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is used in which types of cases?
criminal
In what type of law is the government always the plaintiff?
criminal law
_______________ involves the violation of the concepts of right and wrong as defined by statute and is usually punishable by a specified amount of time in jail.
criminal law
In 2003, Californians voted out Governor Gray Davis. This election was unusual because
he lost in a rare recall effort.
Interest groups have a hard time defeating incumbent legislators unless a) the legislator is involved in scandal b) the legislator has been redistricted c) the legislators positions have generated over whelming opposition in the district d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
Interest groups often hire former legislators as lobbyists to a) gain greater access to current legislators b) benefit from policy expertise of former legislators c) benefit from the personal "insider" knowledge of the former legislator d) all of the above e) none of the above
d) all of the above
Officially, Texas has a a) joint primary b) extended primary c) open primary d) closed primary e) Jaybird primary
d) closed primary
Dark money refers to a) money that is illegally donated to politicians for their re election b) money that can not be used to pay typical candidate expenditures c) vouchers that candidates can use to fund their campaigns d) donated money that that does not have to reported by a campaign e) money that is printed on special dark green paper specifically formulated for campaigns
d) donated money that that does not have to reported by a campaign
The most costly item for most political campaigns is a) travel b) security c) fund raising d) media e) food
d) media
In Texas, the Republican Party became the dominant party in a) the 1950's b) the 1960's c) the 1970's d) the 1980's e) the 1990's
d) the 1980's
Which election made Texas a two-party state?
d. 1988
Which of the following is a deterrent to higher voter turnout in Texas? a. Large number of elections b. Long length of the ballot c. Lower income and education levels in Texas d. All of the above are correct.
d. All of the above are correct.
Texas does not have term limits for which office? a. Governor b. State House of Representative c. State Senator d. All of the above are true
d. All of the above are true
For Texas primaries, the state party chair and the state executive committee of each party a. conduct a drawing to determine the order of the names on the ballot. b. certify the ballot to the county level officials. c. canvass the election returns after the primary. d. All of the above is correct.
d. All of the above is correct.
Which list(s) is (are) used to purge the names of voters from the voter registration rolls? a. Corner's reports b. List of felony convictions c. List of adjudications of mental incompetence d. All of the above lists are used to purge names of voters from registration rolls.
d. All of the above lists are used to purge names of voters from registration rolls.
A closed primary allows only those individuals who ____________ to participate. a. are registered voters b. possess a voter registration card c. are first time voters d. are party members
d. are party members
How did Strom Thurmond do in the 1948 presidential election?
he lost, but won some electoral votes
Which of the following statements about Texas registration laws is incorrect? a. A person may register in person or by mail. b. A person can register when renewing a driver's license. c. Registered spouses, parents, or offspring can register an individual. d. An individual's employer can register an employee as long as the employer is a registered voter.
d. An individual's employer can register an employee as long as the employer is a registered voter.
Which case changed the state's early voter registration requirement in Texas? a. Carrington v. Rash c. Dunn v. Blumstein b. Smith v. Allwright d. Beare v. Smith
d. Beare v. Smith
Which is not a legal voting qualification in Texas? a. Being a citizen of the United States b. Being at least 18 years of age c. Being a registered voter d. Being a nonresident of the state
d. Being a nonresident of the state
Which of the following can be a contributing factor to the decrease in participation in the United States after 1960? a. The passage of the Twenty-sixth Amendment b. An increase in party identification by voters c. A decrease in party identification by voters d. Both options A and C are true.
d. Both options A and C are true.
What is another name for the Massachusetts ballot? a. Nonpartisan ballot b. Straight-ticket ballot c. The long ballot d. Office-block ballot
d. Office-block ballot
Throughout their campaigns, Texas Democratic candidates tend to mobilize all of the following groups except a. African Americans. b. Latinos. c. teachers. d. business interests.
d. business interests.
Specific Texas laws regarding recounts in elections allow each of the following except a. a candidate can request a recount if he or she loses by less than 10 percent. b. the candidate who requests a recount is required to pay for the recount. c. a manual recount must be used. d. canvassing authorities are given very little discretion when interpreting an indentation on the chad.
d. canvassing authorities are given very little discretion when interpreting an indentation on the chad.
The small piece of paper produced in punch-card ballots is known as a. check. b. chard. c. chip. d. chad.
d. chad.
A method of selecting the nominees from a political party where party members elect the candidates who represent them in the general election is known as a. precinct convention. b. party caucus. c. party convention. d. direct primary.
d. direct primary.
For a name to be placed on the general-election ballot, a candidate must be either a party nominee or an independent and a. have a party platform. b. hold a party convention. c. win 10 percent of any statewide office. d. win 5 percent of any statewide office.
d. win 5 percent of any statewide office.
The most important factors in predicting who will vote are
education and income.
The two most important factors that determine whether someone votes are
education and income.
One important way for interest groups to gain access to those in Texas government is to employ ______ as lobbyists.
former officals.
Each Supreme Court justice is assigned ______ clerk(s).
four
Members of the Texas Senate serve ____-year terms while members of the Texas House of Representatives serve ____-year terms.
four/two
Which constitutional clause ensures that official government actions of one state are accepted by other states?
full faith and credit clause
Voters are _______ by the number of times they are asked to vote.
overloaded
African Americans...
overwhelmingly vote Democratic.
In which region of the United States did Donald Trump get the most electoral support?
the South
Agricultural interest groups include all but:
the Sunbelt Buyers.
Jurisdiction
the authority to hear and decide a case
What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state?
to handle elections and voter registration
The president of the Senate
votes on a bill only when necessary to break a tie
The efforts of interest group representatives to influence policy-makers face-to-face are called
"campaigning"
Which legal principle was established by the United States Supreme Court for the drawing of political boundaries?
"one man, one vote"
Since 1975, how much have legislative salaries in Texas have been per year?
$7,200
What is the salary of a member of the Texas legislature?
$7,200/a year
Which income group had the highest percentage of donations to a political campaign in 2012?
$80k+
Griffin v. Illinois
(1956) US Supreme Court observe that "there can be no equal justice where the kind of trial a man gets depends on the amount of money he has "there are basically three systems for providing legal representation to indigent persons in criminal prosecution: public defender system, The assigned council system, and the contract system
Baker v. Wingo
(Length of delay) A delay of a year or more from the date of arrest or indictment, whichever occurs first, was termed "presumptively prejudicial"; however as noted above, the Supreme Court has never explicitly ruled that any absolute time limit applies
In Texas, the ______ Party usually experiences higher voter turnout than the ______ Party does.
**.
One effect of the high cost of campaigns in Texas is that
**.
What are the qualifications to be Governor?
- 30 years old - resident of Texas for 5 years - US citizen - registered voter
Does our governor have a lot of power when compared to other state governor's?
- No - Remember, the 1875 Constitutional Convention had powerful interest groups like the Grangers deciding who got what power. - EJ Davis had just been governor and those deciding who got what, wanted to "reign" in government power in general.
What was the result of taking away the governor's power?
- The result was that they split power between several executives creating what is called a plural executive (where no one person holds too much power). - Boards and commissions were also created to share power. - A governor of Texas must learn to effectively use their informal persuasive powers. He/She must jump into the legislative process and be proactive - talk with legislators, let them know his agenda, offer advise and support, etc.
What are the 5 options for reform for the Governor's office?
- removal power over executive dept. appointees - non-overlapping terms for board members - choice of a running mate - change from a plural executive to a cabinet system - give the budget power to the governor
Conferences and workload
-4 separate related activities -an order from a higher court directing a lower court to send the record of a case for review -rule 4: it's for justices decided to grant, the court will agree to hear a case
Grand jury
-A body that here's evidence and determines probable cause regarding crimes and can return formal charges against suspects -prosecutor only gets to present evidence and witnesses cannot be cross-examined -decision is then an indictment -serve month or more... -Grand jury up to 30... Trial up to 12 -no judge
How does our governor's powers compare to other governor's powers?
-Compared to other states, Texas' governor has little formal power. -Most other state governor's have budgetary control - ours does not. -His appointment powers are limited by overlapping terms. -The other important executive offices are selected by us the voters and do not have to be of the same party as the governor.
What is included in the governor's law enforcement powers?
-He appoints the Public Safety Commissioner. -He can take control of the Texas Rangers. -He can introduce crime legislation.
What is included in the governor's military powers?
-The Texas Constitution grants specific but limited military power to the governor. -He can declare martial law. -He can call out the Texas Guard (usually used in natural disaster relief). -All other military power resides with the federal government.
How does the Plural Executive limit the governor's powers?
-This means that other key executive positions are elected independent of the governor. -The governor has no formal powers to override decisions made by these other executives. -The other executives do not have to be of the same party as the governor.
What types of people have statistically/historically held the office of governor?
-Wealthy (usually still have to have PAC money and individual contributions) see page 60 for amounts spent. -well known -white men -married -Protestant -40 to 60 years of age
In Texas, why were primary elections more important than general elections during most of the twentieth century?
.
Know what state and local party organizations do.
.
The major competition for important statewide offices in present-day Texas happens at
.
The most local voting district is called the
.
All of these are the differences between a political party and interest group except
. A political party addresses a narrower array of issues than an interest group
Which of the following statements is not correct?
. During early voting, a voter must go to her/his already designated polling place to vote.
The requirement of membership divided equally between men and women is for
. State executive committees
. The Texas Democratic Party faces the problem of being perceived as
. socialist.
Early voting in Texas has been shown to produce
.**
In Texas, the most oppressive restriction on the franchise was
.**
Texas Democrats have been relegated to a minority status at the state level since
.1994
Latinos currently represent ______ of the population of Texas.
.38%
What are modern-day tactics for preventing certain groups from voting?
.At-large system, reducing the number of polling places in certain areas, the presence of broken voting machines, misleading info provided by voters, and voter intimidation .
Officially, Texas has a
.Closed primary*
Interest groups are often powerful in states
.In one-party states
The fastest-growing demographic group in Texas is _____________, the majority of whom vote _____________.
.Latinos , Democrats
When are elections for state offices held?
.Nov
A ______ was a tax charged to voters as a prerequisite for registration.
.Poll tax
Which elections is voter turnout the highest?
.Presidential elections
As in the U.S. Congress, most campaign contributions in Texas go to
.Resources to get out the vote
In Texas, the highest level of temporary party organization is the
.State Convention
The most recent renewals to the Voting Rights Act require
.bilingual ballots
4 Qualifications to vote
1. 18yrs old 2. U.S. citizen 3. Texas resident for 30 days 4. County resident for 30 days
2 groups who CANNOT VOTE
1. Current convicted felons 2. Mentally ill
3 ways Texas limited minority voting
1. Early Registration 2. Property Ownership 3. Residency requirements
4 Reasons why TX campaigns are so expensive?
1. Extensive travel 2. Large # of media markets 3. Require professionals 4. Polling the large electorate is expensive
4 Reasons why it is unusual for Independents to run for office in Texas?
1. HIGH Requirements 2. Lack support of major party 3. Lack organization 4. Lack PARTY LABEL
2 most important factors for Low Voter Turnout in TX
1. Income 2. Education
5 REASONS for Low Voter Turnout in Texas
1. Lower income 2. Low education 3. Weak political party competition 4. Young population 5. # of elections/ lack of advertising
5 ways Campaigns attempt to reach voters
1. Print/electronic media 2. Mailing 3. Door to Door campaigning 4. Speeches to small groups 5. Telephone solicitation
4 Contemporary Barriers to Voting
1. Reduced # of polling places 2. Intimidated voters 3. Misleading info to voters 4. Not updated voting machines
2 solutions to avoid problems with redistricting?
1. Take the redistricting process out of the hands of the legislature 2. Create an independent commission that would draw the lines
Except on rare occasions, boundaries for congressional and state legislative districts in the United States are redrawn by the states every ____ years.
10
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the
24th amend.
Minimum age for a senator
26
Members of the Texas Senate must be at least ____ years of age while members of the Texas House must be at least ____ years of age.
26/21
The _______ Amendment of the U.S. Constitution lowered the national voting age from 21 to 18 years old.
26th
Runoff primary is held the _______.
2nd Tuesday in April
Primary elections are held the _____ Tuesday in March.
2nd Tuesday in MARCH
Maximum length of a special session
30
Special sessions of the Texas legislature called by the governor are limited to a maximum of how many days?
30
The Texas Constitution stipulates that to be governor of Texas, a candidate must have reached a minimum age of
30
Under normal rules of oral argument, each lawyer has ______ to present his or her case before the Supreme Court.
30min
The number of members in the Texas Senate is
31
What is the governor's term of office?
4 years, unlimited
Third-party candidates for president can receive public funding only if they received at least _____ percent of the vote in the previous presidential race.
5 percent
In most elections, fewer that ____% of U.S. citizens vote.
50%
To win a primary election, a nominee must receive
50% plus one vote.
The average age of state legislators in Texas is approximately
50.
What percentage of eligible Texas voters cast ballots in the 2008 presidential election?
59.5%
Number of representatives
600
Monthly pay of legislators for Texas legislators
600 dollars
Which age group had the highest percentage of donations to a political campaign in 2012?
65+
What circuit is Illinois in and with what other two states?
7 Wisconsin and Indiana
Approximately how many judges currently sit on the federal district courts?
700
how many votes are needed to pass ordinary legislation in the Texas House?
76 to 150
What percentage of the Romney campaign's funding came from large individual contributions?
82 percent
Each year, the Supreme Court receives about ______ appeals and hears about ______ of them in full court.
9,500, 70
Laws go into effect after this number of days
90
An independent, nonprofit group that receives and disburses funds to influence election campaigns is called...
A 527 Committee
Early voting in Texas has been shown to produce __________ to voter turnout
A modest increase
Shivercrat movement
A movement led by the Texas governor Allan Shivers during the 1950's in which conservative Democrats in Texas supported Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency because many of those conservative Democrats believed that the national Democratic party had become too liberal.
Proportional Representation
A multi member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote.
Motor Voter Law
A national act, passed in 1993, that requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for a driver's license.
Which of the following would be an example of political patronage?
A party activist is given a federal job, a campaign donor receives preference in the granting of a federal contract, & a party boss is able to give a supporter preferential treatment as he or she seeks government benefits.
State Convention
A party meeting held every two years for the purpose of nominating candidates for statewide office, adopting a platform, electing the party's leadership, and in presidential election years selecting delegates for the national convention and choosing presidential electors.
Which of the following statements about retention elections is correct?
A proposal for retention elections in the mid-1990s failed to pass.
86
A recent Texas poll found that _____ percent of judges felt that campaign contributions had at least some influence on judicial decisions.
Which of the following is not a requirement for voting in Texas?
A resident of his/her county six months prior to an election
Which of the following demographic groups delivers the vast majority of its votes to the Democratic Party?
African Americans
a
African Americans in Texas (p. 127) a) tend to cast their votes for Democrats. b) are a large part of the Republican base. c) vote mainly for independent candidates. d) make up less than 10 percent of the population. e) split their votes evenly between the Democratic and Republican parties.
Which demographic groups delivers the vast majority of its votes to the Democratic Party?
African-Americans
Jaybird Party
After the white primary was ruled unconstitutional, this offshoot Democratic party pre selected candidates for the Democratic primary and prohibited African Americans from participating.
8. Membership of the county executive committee is composed of
All elected office holders of the county.
a
All lawyers who regularly practice in Texas (p. 270) a) must be members of the State bar of Texas. b) must have graduated from a Texas law school. c) must appear in court at least twice a year. d) must volunteer to sit on grand juries. e) do not need any additional training once they have a law license.
I will appreciate your assistance in helping me become a better teacher. Would you please tell me what your overall evaluation of the course is:
All of the above
In which of the following arenas do interest groups attempt to affect public policy?
All of the above
The Texas Good Roads and Transportation Association is made up of
All of the above
Why do candidates use negative advertising? -they grab voters' attention -the candidate can often get free publicity -they make the candidate look good compared to his/her opponent -all of the above
All of the above
Would you recommend your political science teacher to your friends?
All of the above
a
All of the following groups constitute the Democratic Party base in Texas except (p. 110) a) business leaders. b) Latinos. c) African Americans. d) white liberals. e) urban residents.
Trial process
All of the steps in the adjudicatory process, from indictment or charge to conviction or acquittal
According to the authors, which of the following depend on the existence of strong, competitive political parties?
All of these require strong parties.
Parties at the state level have less power than at the national level because
All politics is local., less partisanship
Motor Voter law requires states to _______.
Allow people to register to vote when they apply for a drivers license
The Motor Voter act of 1993
Allowed citizens to register to vote while applying for a drivers license
Diversion programs
Allowed to enter a diversion program such as drug court, mental health court, or military vet court --typically young offenders with no significant or particular violent records
The "motor voter" law
Allows a person to register to vote when applying for a driver's license without even filling out a form.
The Motor Voter Act of 1993
Allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license
d
An important issue for the legislature at least every 10 years is (p. 203) a) adopting a budget. b) deciding the order of succession to the office of governor. c) impeaching the lieutenant governor. d) redistricting. e) electing the president.
third-degree
An individual convicted of a ______ felony will receive a punishment of two to ten years in prison and possibly a fine of up to $10,000.
at least one-fourth of fifteen years, or whichever is less
An individual convicted of a nonviolent crime must serve how much of his or her term before being considered for parole?
What does it mean for an interest group to "get on the late train"?
An interest group gives contributions after the election to a winning candidate the group had earlier opposed.
If an interest group "gets on the late train," it means
An interest group gives contributions after the election to a winning candidate the group has earlier opposed
Which of the following differentiates an interest group from a political party?
An interest group seeks to influence government on a narrow range of issues, whereas a party attempts to win elections.
Interest Group
An organization established to influence the governments programs and policies.
Pretrial motions
Any number of motion filed by prosecutors and defense attorneys prior to the trial, change of venue, discovery, to challenge a search, to raise doubts about expert witnesses, to exclude a defendant confession --Prosecution gives all evidence to defense... Defense does NOT have to turn over evidence/statements
three
Appeals at the level of the court of appeals are typically heard by panels of how many justices?
What are the governor's Executive Powers?
Appointment Powers Military Powers Law Enforcement Powers
Preclearance is when the U.S. Department of Justice must _______.
Approve new district lines to ensure voting rights of minorities are not being infringed
Why does Reapportionment occur every 10 years?
Because it is recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the states population
The voting rights act has been renewed several times since 1965, and new provisions have been added since then. For example,
Bilingual ballots are now in certain areas where more than 5 percent of voters speak another language
The most recent renewals to the Voting Rights Act require
Bilingual ballots in areas where over 5 percent of citizens speak a language other than English
The foundation for growth of the Republican Party in Texas was laid by
Bill Clements in 1978.
All of these contributed to low voter turnout in Texas except
Black Primary
Conservative Democrats in Texas are also know as
Blue Dog Democrats
Conservative Democrats in Texas are also known a
Blue Dog Democrats
c
Blue Dog Democrats were (p. 123) a) northeastern Democrats with conservative views. b) southern Democrats with liberal views. c) southern Democrats with conservative views. d) northern Democrats with liberal views. e) western Democrats with liberal views.
Which of the following interest groups was most responsible for the defeat of sanctuary-cities legislation in the 2011 session of the Texas legislature?
Business groups
Which committee controls the flow of legislation from other committees to the floor of the House of Representatives?
Calendars
In the Texas House, the placement of a bill on the appropriate calendar is the responsibility of the
Calendars Committee and the Local and Consent Calendars Committee.
Which of the following bodies or procedures determines the order of priority for the consideration of legislation on the floor of the Texas House?
Calendars committee
However in 2006, two independent candidates named ____ and ______ got on the ballot.
Carole Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman
Federal court of appeals
Circuit courts hear appeals from the district courts within their respective federal judicial circuit and are considered to be very powerful and influential in their own right
Which U.S. Supreme Court case in 2009 created the oppurtunity for organizations that opposed powerful incumbents to NOT disclose their donors
Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission
The Dixiecrats abandoned the national Democratic Party in the 1948 presidential election over the issue of
Civil rights
Which of the following groups have had notable political success by litigationg in Federal courts
Civil rights group
The candidates who lost in the last three Texas gubernatorial elections (1990, 1986, 1982) have been, respectively,
Clayton Williams, Mark white, and Bill Clements.
Administration
Clerk of the court serves as the Supreme Court's cheese and ministration of officer, supervising staff of 30 under the guidance of the Chief Justice --marshal of the court supervises all building operations
Officially, Texas has a
Closed primary
Officially, Texas primaries are considered _____, but they operate as a ________ primary.
Closed/ open
Which of the following is the best example of a public interest group?
Common Cause
Which of the following is the bet example of public interest groups
Common Cause
Dixiecrats
Conservative democrats who abandoned the national Democratic Party in the 1948 presidential election.
In the 1950s, who were known as the Shivercrats?
Conservative democrats.
providing legal services in court
Constituency services provided by Texas representatives may include all of the following except
What would it take to implement the options for reform mentioned in the Governor's chapter?
Constitutional amendment
Question 23 1 out of 1 points Correct By 2011, in Dallas County Selected Answer: Answers: A. DNA evidence was used to exonerate twenty-two wrongfully convicted men. B. the district attorney announced a new policy of seeking life in prison rather than the death penalty in capital cases. C. fourteen judges were impeached for accepting bribes from undercover federal agents. D. fifteen police officers were fired for tampering with evidence. E. the county jails were temporarily closed by the state due to health and overcrowding problems.
CorrectA. DNA evidence was used to exonerate twenty-two wrongfully convicted men.
Question 4 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following is not true about parties and elections in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Republicans are secure as the dominant party in Texas. B. Due to the expense of campaigns, candidates are often very wealthy individuals. C. Voter participation in Texas is quite low. D. The key to success in future Texas elections is a party's ability to mobilize the Hispanic vote. E. If Texas is to become a competitive two-party state, the Democrats need to win some statewide elections.
CorrectA. Republicans are secure as the dominant party in Texas.
Question 12 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the process for granting clemency in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. B. The case must be overturned by the court of criminal appeals. C. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes a unilateral collective decision. D. There is no procedure for clemency in Texas. E. The governor has complete control of whether to grant clemency.
CorrectA. The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Question 27 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the standard of proof used for civil cases in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The plaintiff must meet the preponderance of evidence. B. The defendant must be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. C. The defendant must prove a reasonable chance of innocence. D. The defendant must have contributed more to the judge's campaign than the plaintiff. E. The plaintiff must meet the standard of reasonable doubt.
CorrectA. The plaintiff must meet the preponderance of evidence.
Question 10 1 out of 1 points Correct Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election. B. Most judicial candidates fill their campaign literature with arcane legal analysis. C. Judicial candidates do very little campaigning. D. Judicial candidates, by law, are prevented from actively campaigning for office. E. Most voters never go to court, so they have little knowledge upon which to base their decisions.
CorrectA. Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
Question 15 1 out of 1 points Correct Suburban counties in Texas are more likely to have Selected Answer: Answers: A. a Republican majority among voters. B. fewer registered voters than the Texas average. C. suffered from a declining population. D. younger, Democratic voters. E. older, Democratic voters.
CorrectA. a Republican majority among voters.
Question 11 1 out of 1 points Correct Early voting in Texas has been shown to produce Selected Answer: Answers: A. a moderate increase in voter turnout. B. a moderate drop in voter turnout. C. no noticeable change in voter turnout. D. a significant increase in voter turnout. E. a drastic drop in voter turnout.
CorrectA. a moderate increase in voter turnout.
Question 17 1 out of 1 points Correct In Texan elections, the ______ play(s) the largest role in running campaigns. Selected Answer: Answers: A. candidates B. local party C. media D. state party E. national party
CorrectA. candidates
Question 4 1 out of 1 points Correct The main trial courts in Texas are called Selected Answer: . Answers: A. district courts. B. courts of appeals. C. municipal courts. D. county courts. E. justice of the peace courts.
CorrectA. district courts
Question 8 1 out of 1 points Correct The most local voting district is called the Selected Answer: Answers: A. precinct. B. city. C. caucus. D. township. E. county.
CorrectA. precinct.
Question 18 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following was not regularly used in Texas as a method of disfranchising many Texan minorities before the 1960s? Selected Answer: Answers: A. requiring long periods of residency B. literacy tests C. the white primary D. poll taxes E. early registration
CorrectA. requiring long periods of residency
Question 29 1 out of 1 points Correct The main role of the precinct convention is to Selected Answer: Answers: A. select delegates for the county convention. B. develop the party platform in preparation for the state convention. C. raise money for future campaign efforts. D. mobilize grassroots support in the precinct. E. nominate candidates for state and local office.
CorrectA. select delegates for the county convention.
Question 26 1 out of 1 points Correct Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes? Selected Answer: Answers: A. small claims B. city ordinance violations C. bankruptcy cases D. disposition of property of deceased persons E. felonies
CorrectA. small claims
Question 15 1 out of 1 points Correct Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases? Selected Answer: Answers: A. the court of criminal appeals B. the district court C. the justice of the peace court D. the supreme court E. the court of civil appeals
CorrectA. the court of criminal appeals
Question 14 1 out of 1 points Correct All of the following statements concerning white primaries are true except that Selected Answer: Answers: A. the practice was declared illegal only with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. B. they were designed to disfranchise African Americans. C. the Democratic Party in Texas was established as a private, racially restricted club. D. they were declared illegal in the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright. E. there were several Supreme Court cases regarding the white primary.
CorrectA. the practice was declared illegal only with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Question 1 1 out of 1 points Correct The majority of cases in municipal courts involve Selected Answer: Answers: A. traffic and parking violations. B. civil cases, especially torts. C. city ordinances. D. felony crimes. E. family law.
CorrectA. traffic and parking violations.
Question 24 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following statements about retention elections is correct? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Texas currently uses retention elections for municipal court judges and justices of the peace. B. A proposal for retention elections in the mid-1990s failed to pass. C. A retention election requires at least one non-incumbent in the race. D. In retention elections, judges must run against another judge from a different district. E. In retention elections, judges are voted on by the Texas Senate.
CorrectB. A proposal for retention elections in the mid-1990s failed to pass.
Question 6 1 out of 1 points Correct Which statement about the partisan effects of early voting in Texas is correct? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Overall voting rates have declined for both parties. B. Early voting has been a little more beneficial to the Republicans. C. Early voting has strongly benefited turnout for the Democratic Party. D. Early voting strongly favors the Republican Party over the Democrats. E. Early voting has been a little more beneficial to the Democrats.
CorrectB. Early voting has been a little more beneficial to the Republicans.
Question 9 1 out of 1 points Correct During much of the twentieth century, what was one benefit to Texas of having a one-party state? Selected Answer: Answers: A. It led to easier recruitment of qualified candidates for office. B. Elected officials stayed in office longer and built up seniority. C. Government was able to accomplish more in the policy arena. D. Ideological in-fighting was kept to a minimum. E. It helped increase voter turnout, especially among minority voters.
CorrectB. Elected officials stayed in office longer and built up seniority.
Question 18 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the particular problem in Texas judicial elections known as the "name game"? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Voters will often vote for a candidate whose name is listed first on the ballot. B. Many voters will vote for a judicial candidate whose name they are familiar with, even if they know nothing about the candidate. C. Only big-name candidates can raise enough campaign contributions. D. Judicial candidates sometimes make up colorful nicknames, like "Hang 'em High" Johnson, that serve as free advertisements for their judging beliefs. E. Voters will often vote for a candidate by looking at his or her party affiliation, not his or her name.
CorrectB. Many voters will vote for a judicial candidate whose name they are familiar with, even if they know nothing about the candidate.
Question 26 1 out of 1 points Correct What do data indicate about races for judicial offices throughout Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Television advertising makes little difference in the election. B. Television ads have a large impact on the election. C. Personal appearances, more than advertising, are the key to victory. D. The decisions judges make on the bench have the largest impact on vote choices. E. The support of special interest groups, such as trial lawyers, is the key to electoral success.
CorrectB. Television ads have a large impact on the election.
Question 23 1 out of 1 points Correct Which statement concerning women's suffrage is correct? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Women were given full suffrage rights in Texas in 1932. B. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. C. The Texas constitution was amended in 1899 to permit women to vote. D. Texas was the last state to allow women to vote. E. Women were given the right to vote in the original Constitution of 1876.
CorrectB. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Question 30 1 out of 1 points Correct If a trial is held before a judge only, and without a jury, it is Selected Answer: Answers: A. unconstitutional B. a bench trial C. a judicial trial D. a summary judgment E. a grand jury
CorrectB. a bench trial
Question 6 1 out of 1 points Correct If you violate a city ordinance in Texas, which type of court would most likely hear your case? Selected Answer: Answers: A. a court of appeals B. a municipal court C. a justice of the peace court D. a county court E. a district court
CorrectB. a municipal court
Question 5 1 out of 1 points Correct Statutory probate courts are designed to Selected Answer: Answers: A. assist in issues concerning child-custody cases. B. assist in issues concerning the dispersion of property of deceased persons. C. speed up adjudication on matters relating to personal bankruptcy. D. try civil cases involving real estate disputes. E. try criminal cases for those violating probation.
CorrectB. assist in issues concerning the dispersion of property of deceased persons.
Question 7 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following is not a requirement to vote in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. being at least eighteen years of age B. being a resident of Texas for one year C. U.S. citizenship D. being a resident of the county for thirty days E. being a resident of Texas for thirty days
CorrectB. being a resident of Texas for one year
Question 29 1 out of 1 points Correct What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear? Selected Answer: Answers: A. final appeals on all civil and death penalty cases B. civil appeals C. appeals on civil and criminal cases D. both trial and appeals in tort-law cases E. any cases it chooses to hear
CorrectB. civil appeals
Question 2 1 out of 1 points Correct When a lawyer charges a client only if the case is won, it is called a Selected Answer: Answers: A. civil fee. B. contingent fee. C. hypothetical bill. D. tort claim. E. pro bono claim.
CorrectB. contingent fee.
Question 19 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the most important part of a judicial candidate's campaign in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. professional and personal qualifications B. party affiliation C. rating by the American Bar Association D. name recognition with the voters E. campaign financing
CorrectB. party affiliation
Question 12 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following is a function of special elections? Selected Answer: Answers: A. to choose which candidates will run in the general election B. to fill vacancies in elected offices C. to allow voters to vote directly on public policy D. to choose which candidates will run in the primary elections E. to elect judges to the Texas supreme court
CorrectB. to fill vacancies in elected offices
Question 1 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the purpose of a primary election? Selected Answer: Answers: A. to select a party's delegates for the state convention B. to select a party's candidate for the general election C. to elect candidates directly to office D. to select the party's delegates for the precinct convention E. to select precinct chairs throughout the state
CorrectB. to select a party's candidate for the general election
Question 22 1 out of 1 points Correct In Texas, the poll tax was established in ______ and remained legal in the state until ______. Selected Answer: Answers: A. 1932; 1954 B. 1876; 1980 C. 1902; 1966 D. 1845; 1992 E. 1920; 1975
CorrectC. 1902; 1966
Question 28 1 out of 1 points Correct By 2010, what was the partisan makeup of the Texas legislature? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Both houses remained in the control of the Democrats. B. Both houses were evenly split between the Republicans and Democrats. C. Both houses were majority Republican. D. The Senate was controlled by Democrats, while the Republicans dominated the House. E. The Democrats controlled the House, and the Republicans had a majority in the Senate.
CorrectC. Both houses were majority Republican.
Question 3 1 out of 1 points Correct In Texas, trial lawyers tend to support Selected Answer: Answers: A. Republican judicial candidates. B. anti-death penalty judicial candidates. C. Democratic judicial candidates. D. pro-business judicial candidates. E. pro-death penalty judicial candidates.
CorrectC. Democratic judicial candidates.
Question 30 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright? Selected Answer: Answers: A. It restricted the use of closed primaries. B. The Court declared the use of literacy tests a violation of the equal protection clause. C. The Court announced that in primary elections, states could not restrict voters on account of race. D. The case compelled Texas to integrate Hispanic students into "whites only" public schools. E. The Court declared the use of poll taxes as a violation of the equal protection clause.
CorrectC. The Court announced that in primary elections, states could not restrict voters on account of race.
Question 24 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following statements about early registration in Texas is false? Selected Answer: A. The provisions lasted until 1971, when they were voided by the federal courts. B. Individuals had to register to vote every year. C. The federal courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of early voting. D. It required registering to vote more than nine months before a general election. E. It prevented migrant workers from voting.
CorrectC. The federal courts have consistently upheld the constitutionality of early voting. Answers:
Question 20 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The governor has the power to limit the jurisdiction of the appellate courts. B. The governor appoints all members to the Texas Supreme Court. C. The governor has the power to appoint judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held. D. The governor has the power to permanently appoint all municipal court judges. E. The governor has the power to add additional judges to the appellate courts whenever there is a six-month backlog in cases.
CorrectC. The governor has the power to appoint judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held.
Question 14 1 out of 1 points Correct Why was partisanship in Texas judicial elections not an issue until 1978? Selected Answer: Answers: A. That was the first year the Texas constitution permitted candidates to announce their party affiliations. B. It was the first year a third-party candidate won a seat in a Texas judicial election. C. Up until that time, Texas was essentially a one-party state. D. That was the year judicial elections shifted from nonpartisan to partisan. E. Even though they could, candidates typically ran without using party labels up until 1978.
CorrectC. Up until that time, Texas was essentially a one-party state.
Question 28 1 out of 1 points Correct A(n) ______ case is one that calls for the death penalty. Selected Answer: Answers: A. Eighth Amendment B. statutory C. capital D. probate E. exclusionary
CorrectC. capital
Question 19 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following is not an important level of party organization in the state of Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. county B. district C. city D. precinct E. state
CorrectC. city
Question 21 1 out of 1 points Correct In the 1950s, who were known as the Shivercrats? Selected Answer: Answers: A. conservative Republicans who voted for Democratic presidential candidates B. poor rural Democrats who could not afford to buy heating oil because of soaring energy costs C. conservative Democrats who voted for Republican presidential candidates D. supporters of Governor Alan Shivers's bid for the White House in 1952 and 1956 E. liberal Republicans who supported Democrat Alan Shivers's governorship
CorrectC. conservative Democrats who voted for Republican presidential candidates
Question 17 1 out of 1 points Correct In Texas, the legal standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is used in which types of cases? Selected Answer: Answers: A. none—"beyond a reasonable doubt" is a standard used in federal, not state, court B. civil C. criminal D. criminal and civil E. statutory
CorrectC. criminal
Question 25 1 out of 1 points Correct The ______ election decides who is elected to an office. Selected Answer: Answers: A. final B. closed C. general D. primary E. open
CorrectC. general
Question 13 1 out of 1 points Correct A(n) ______ determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial. Selected Answer: Answers: A. district attorney B. justice of the peace C. grand jury D. en banc committee E. probate judge
CorrectC. grand jury
Question 3 1 out of 1 points Correct The most important role for political parties in Texas elections is to Selected Answer: Answers: A. fund the candidates' campaigns. B. create political action committees. C. offer the candidates a label by which they can identify with the voters. D. lead get-out-the-vote drives. E. fund television and radio campaign advertisements.
CorrectC. offer the candidates a label by which they can identify with the voters.
Question 7 1 out of 1 points Correct The most common route to a criminal conviction is a(n) Selected Answer: Answers: A. jury trial. B. indictment from a grand jury. C. plea bargain between the defendant and the state. D. bench trial. E. plea bargain between the defendant and the plaintiff.
CorrectC. plea bargain between the defendant and the state.
Question 2 1 out of 1 points Correct Factional rivalries exist within the Republican Party between Selected Answer: Answers: A. urban and rural Republicans. B. supporters and opponents of George W. Bush. C. the religious right and economic conservatives. D. the liberal and conservative wings of the party. E. anti-immigration and pro-business Republicans.
CorrectC. the religious right and economic conservatives.
Question 13 1 out of 1 points Correct Which party dominated Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century? Selected Answer: Answers: A. Populists B. Republicans C. No party D. Democrats E. Conservatives
CorrectD. Democrats
Question 16 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The number of executions in Texas is double the number of executions in every other state combined. B. Texas has had more death penalty cases overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court than any other state. C. Texas has both the highest rate of executions and the highest rate of successful death sentence appeals in the nation. D. Texas executes more individuals than any other state and has a statistically low rate of successfully appealed capital cases. E. The number of prisoners executed in Texas has been slowly decreasing since the 1970s.
CorrectD. Texas executes more individuals than any other state and has a statistically low rate of successfully appealed capital cases.
Question 11 1 out of 1 points Correct Disputes between private individuals over their relationships, responsibilities, and obligations are the topic of Selected Answer: Answers: A. criminal law. B. statutory law. C. ordinances. D. civil law. E. contract law.
CorrectD. civil law.
Question 16 1 out of 1 points Correct The two most important factors that determine whether someone votes are Selected Answer: Answers: A. education and ethnicity. B. age and education. C. ethnicity and age. D. income level and education. E. age and income level.
CorrectD. income level and education.
Question 22 1 out of 1 points Correct The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act Selected Answer: Answers: A. compels judges to recuse themselves from any case involving someone who has contributed money to their campaigns. B. allows individuals to donate as much money as they can to judicial candidates. C. restricts judicial advertising to radio and television ads. D. limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor. E. forbids law firms or corporations from making donations.
CorrectD. limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor.
Question 25 1 out of 1 points Correct What is it called when a blue-ribbon committee selects judicial nominees who are then appointed by the governor and must finally run for retention in office? Selected Answer: Answers: A. progressive reform selection B. committee certification C. en banc selection D. merit selection E. nonpartisan selection
CorrectD. merit selection
Question 20 1 out of 1 points Correct In Texas, why were primary elections more important than general elections during most of the twentieth century? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The general election was often fixed. B. The primary election was the only election held in many Texas counties. C. The primary election was open to more voters than the general election. D. More people voted in the primary elections than the general elections. E. In a one-party state, the winner of the primary will most likely win the general election.
CorrectE. In a one-party state, the winner of the primary will most likely win the general election.
Question 9 1 out of 1 points Correct Since the late 1980s, in what direction has the Texas Supreme Court moved regarding civil cases? Selected Answer: Answers: A. The Texas Supreme Court is choosing to hear fewer tort-law cases. B. The Texas Supreme Court is moving toward a more common-law approach to tort reform. C. Texas has moved toward a more conservative approach to torts. D. The Texas Supreme Court has grown more liberal in its tort-law decisions. E. The Texas Supreme Court has taken a more pro-business direction.
CorrectE. The Texas Supreme Court has taken a more pro-business direction.
Question 21 1 out of 1 points Correct Which of the following is not a major criticism of the method of judicial selection in Texas today? Selected Answer: Answers: A. In many cases ballots can be overloaded with judicial elections, making them complicated. B. It is overly partisan. C. Too often voters know nothing about the judicial candidates for whom they are voting. D. The need to raise campaign contributions compromises the independence of the judges. E. The governor has too much power in judicial selection.
CorrectE. The governor has too much power in judicial selection.
Question 27 1 out of 1 points Correct To get onto the ballot in Texas as an independent candidate requires Selected Answer: Answers: A. a filing fee of $10,000. B. a filing fee of $5,000. C. nothing; anyone who fills out the proper paperwork can run. D. a letter of permission from the secretary of elections. E. a petition containing a significant number of voter signatures.
CorrectE. a petition containing a significant number of voter signatures.
Question 5 1 out of 1 points Correct The Motor Voter Act of 1993 Selected Answer: Answers: A. was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. B. only allows citizens with a valid Texas driver's license to vote. C. allows states to offer voters "drive-thru" voter booths. D. restricts one's right to vote because of unpaid traffic tickets. E. allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license.
CorrectE. allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license.
Question 8 1 out of 1 points Correct What is the most important type of case that the Texas Supreme Court handles? Selected Answer: Answers: A. prison reform B. bankruptcy cases C. death penalty cases D. impeachment of public officials E. tort laws
CorrectE. tort laws
. Which statement is not true about county/district conventions?
Counties that lie completely within a state senate district hold county conventions.
The main role of the precinct conventions is to select delegates to the __________ and possibly to submit resolution that may eventually become part of the party platform.
Country convention
The ______ is a meeting held by a political party following its precinct conventions for the purpose of electing delegates to its state convention.
County convention
The _____________ is a meeting held by a political party following its precinct conventions for the purpose of electing delegates to its state convention.
County convention.
statutory probate courts
Courts that can review matters relating to the disposition of property of deceased persons are referred to as what?
Tea Party Movement
Created after Barack Obama's election, a political movement that advocates lower government spending, lower taxes, and limited government.
Reapportionment is
Deciding how many U.S. House representatives each state gets
What party dominated Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century
Democratic
Which party dominated Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century?
Democratic
In Texas, trial lawyers tend to support
Democratic judicial candidates.
The 'white primary' banned African-American citizens from voting in the
Democratic primary election
Since the 1930s and the New Deal, African Americans have been overwhelmingly ____________ in their party identification; women are somewhat more likely to support ____________ candidates; and Jews are among the ____________ Party's most loyal constituent groups.
Democratic, Democratic, Democratic
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Texas was which political party?
Democrats
Which party dominated Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century?
Democrats
Which department of the fed gov is tasked with securing the border between Tex and Mex
Dep of Homeland Security
The judge will repeat the due process rights of the accused and set bail.
During the first appearance before a judge, referred to as the arraignment, what will likely happen?
The Shivercrat movement revolved around Governor Shivers's support of presidential candidate
Dwight Eisenhower
one
Each county has at least how many districts courts?
How long do Special Sessions last (days) and how many times can they be called?
Each special session lasts 30 days. The Governor can call an unlimited amount of special sessions.
Texas also limited minority voting by _______.
Early registration
All of these contribute to low voter turnout in Texas except:
Election Day Registration
For only the fourth time in US history, the 2016 Presidential election resulted in a different winner in the ____ as opposed to the _____.
Electoral College, Popular Vote
When intraparty disputes split members into different groups, these groups are referred to as
Factions
2. In Texas, convicted felons are not allowed to vote until five years after their sentences, including probation and parole, are completed.
False
5. Texas law discourages voter registration because jury duty summons lists are compiled from voter registration rolls.
False
College students are not legally allowed to register to vote at their school address.
False
Historically, Barbara Jordan, Miriam Ferguson, and Ann Richards are the only females who have ever served as governor of Texas.
False
ONLINE QUIZ: All states have both an intermediate court of appeals and court of last resort.
False
ONLINE QUIZ: Trial courts of general jurisdiction have the legal authority only to process serious criminal cases.
False
Plea bargains are not often used in Texas criminal trials.
False
State party platforms are finalized at the county convention.
False
TRUE OR FALSE: A SHSU ID (Sam ID card) will be accepted as a valid form of ID at a polling place in Texas.
False
The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission has mandated that no government official may serve in any single office for more than 12 years.
False
The Texas governor has strong powers for granting clemency.
False
The governor of Texas currently serves a two-year term in office.
False
The legislature has the ability to declare martial law.
False
The precinct convention is held on the evening of the general election
False
The process of judicial confirmations is a low-key and uncontroversial affair.
False
True or False: A person who believes in the Big Tent Model of party formation would not support a candidate who did not agree with all the issues in the party's platform
False
True or False: A voter may vote in the primary election of more than one party
False
True or False: Campaigns have always been run by political parties
False
True or False: If you move, the state of Texas will automatically update your voter registration when you file a change of address with the post office
False
True or False: Redistricting is usually completed by the Texas legislature
False
True or False: Texas has never passed a law that regulated campaign finance
False
True or False: Voters in open primary states must register with a party when they register to vote
False
6. Texas law requires voters to have a picture ID before casting a ballot.
False (however that changed and is now required)
The state party chair is elected at the party's state convention
False ?
Republicans have won every statewide election in Texas since 1994.
False** 1998.
No large interest groups in Texas represent the environment.
False.
PACs help interest groups bundle campaign donations.
False.
Reapportionment involves the determination of how district lines will be drawn in each state for the state legislature and Congress.
False.
The Motor Voter law requires all voters to have a driver's license.
False.
The Republican Party was the dominant force in Texas politics for most of the twentieth century.
False.
The Republican Party was the dominant force in Texas politics throughout most of the twentieth century.
False.
The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas primary system an open primary.
False.
There are no legal restrictions on lobbying by former Texas governors or legislatures..
False.
To avoid conflicts of interest, all lobbyists in Texas are required to represent only a single client.
False.
9. Campaigning in Texas has become based on electronic media, targeted mass mailings, and the Internet.
False???
Special Elections occur in Texas to ________, _______, and ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution.
Fill a vacancy, Give approval for government to borrow money
The Libertarian Party can be considered
Fiscal conservatives and social liberals
The legislature is prevented from overriding it.
For a Texas governor, what is the benefit of a post-adjournment veto?
ten
For felonies, in general, most probation sentences run for up to ____ years of community supervision.
Who can the Governor hire and fire at will? (meaning he has the sole decision over whether to hire or fire and does not have to get approval)
For his staff.
The regular legislative session lasts 140 days every two years
For how long does the Texas legislature meet?
ONLINE QUIZ: A prosecutor exercises a _________ in order to have a potential juror dismissed because the prosecutor feels the potential juror is biased and could not be an objective member of the jury.
For-cause challenge
Texas requires parties that did not get 5 percent of the vote in a previous statewide race to do all of the following EXCEPT
Form third parties in the spring of the election years and complete the intent form.
One important way for interest groups to gain access to those in Texas government is to employ __________ as lobbyists
Former legislatores and government officals
Women were NOT allowed to vote in _____ elections during 1918.
General
The ______ election decides who is elected to an office.
General Election.
The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years is the day for which election?
General Election.
The ______ is the oldest state agency in Texas.
General Land Office
The ________ is the oldest state agency in Texas.
General Land Office
The first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years is the day for which election?
General election
3,000 courts and only about 10% actually go to trial?
General jurisdiction
What is known as the court of records...stenographer?
General jurisdiction
. Who, in 1978, was the first Republican governor to be elected in Texas since Reconstruction?
George Bush
Which famous American, in his farewell address, encouraged his fellow citizens to avoid partisan politics?
George Washington
In the post-Civil War era, the only parts of Texas that showed significant Republican leanings were
German countries in the Texas Hill Country
Interest Group Capture
Government agency that serves the objectives of the interests that the agency is supposed to regulate.
The state's highest elected executive office.
Governor
b
Grand juries (p. 255) a) determine the guilt of defendants. b) decide whether a trial of an accused is warranted. c) agree to plea bargains. d) recommend that defendants undergo bench trials. e) hear appeals of convictions.
Which of the following Supreme Court cases struck down the state-imposed White Primary in Texas?
Grovey v. Townsend
Low Texas voting rates can be attributed to the _______ elections.
HIGH NUMBER
What is a Line Item Veto?
He can strike portions of appropriations bills and sign the remainder into law.
For an independent candidate to get on the ballot in Texas, which requirement must they meet
He or she must gain petition signatures from registered voters who did not previously participate in any political party primary election.
Which of the following steps would a member of the Texas House take if that member wanted to become speaker in the next session of the legislature?
He or she would begin gathering signer pledge cards from other members of the House.
Many analysts believe that one reason why George W. Bush defeated Ann Richards in 1994 was
His use of positive campaign style.??
The fastest-growing demographic group in Texas is _____, the majority of whom vote _____.
Hispanic; Democratic
The fastest-growing demographic group in Texas is __________, the majority of whom vote __________.
Hispanic; Democrats
Incumbency
Holding the political office for which one is running
e
How likely is Texas to change its method of selecting judicial candidates? (p. 267) a) Texas is scheduled to change to the Missouri Plan in January 2015. b) extremely likely in the next two decades c) likely in the next decade d) likely in 2013 e) unlikely
c
If a bill fails to pass the Texas House and Texas Senate in exactly the same form, the bill (p. 195) a) dies. b) is returned to the standing committee in the House or Senate that originally considered the bill. c) is sent to a conference committee. d) is sent to the governor, who decides which version of the bill will be signed. e) becomes a law.
When can the Legislature override a veto?
If they are still in Regular Session.
In Texas, special elections are held for all of the following reasons except to:
Impeach a corrupt politician
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Important legislation passed in order to ensure African Americans would be guaranteed the right to vote. Renewed several times since 1965, the act also prevents dilution of minority voting strength.
c
In 2002, David Dewhurst's ad in the Texas Monthly featuring German veterans hurt in his campaign for which office? (p. 156) a) state Senate b) U.S. Senate c) lieutenant governor d) governor e) attorney general
school finance
In 2004 and 2005, three special sessions were called in the Texas legislature to deal with
the lieutenant governor
In Texas, if sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?
d
In Texas, the Republican Party became the dominant party in (p. 122) a) the 1950s. b) the 1960s. c) the 1970s. d) the 1980s. e) the 1990s.
both felony and misdemeanor cases
In Texas, the legal standard of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is used in which types of cases?
c
In Texas, the most powerful interest groups represent which interests? (p. 172) a) consumer b) civil rights c) business d) owners of oil wells e) public employee
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
estimating tax revenues for the legislature.
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller?
d
In Texas, which event marked the rise of the Republican Party and partisan judicial elections? (p. 259) a) the election of President Ronald Reagan b) the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton c) the appointment of Tom Phillips as Chief Justice of the United States d) the election of Bill Clements as governor of Texas e) the Shivercrat movement
the secretary of state
In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is not elected by voters?
anyone at all
In Texas, who can write a bill?
so that gubernatorial elections will not be influenced by a presidential election
In Texas, why are gubernatorial elections held in off years?
In Texas, why were primary elections more important than general elections during most of the twentieth century?
In a one-party state, the winner of the primary will most likely win the general election.
c
In a primary election, (p. 135) a) voters choose all local officials who will hold office in the following year. b) voters select federal officials for office. c) voters select their party's candidate for a general election. d) voters choose third-party candidates. e) voters cast ballots on proposed constitutional amendments.
The individual can be released on his or her personal promise to appear.
In cases in which the accused cannot provide bail or cannot pay a bondsman, what option may this individual have?
a
In civil cases, defense lawyers often align themselves with (p. 256) a) business and industry. b) the grand jury. c) groups that support workers. d) judges supported by the Democratic Party. e) labor groups.
General elections are held
In even-numbered years
a
In recent years, the Texas Legislature has (p. 205) a) become more partisan. b) become less partisan. c) become more experienced in lawmaking. d) been more inclined to let the governor make policy. e) been more respectful of county officials.
the Speaker of the House
In the Texas House of Representatives, who has the power to allow members to speak in floor debates?
150: 31
In the Texas legislature, the House has _____ members and the senate has _____ members.
The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee.
In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair "pigeonholes" a bill, what happens?
a
In the state of Texas, the highest level of temporary party organization is the (p. 112) a) state convention. b) state executive committee. c) governor's convention. d) civil executive committee. e) speaker's committee.
Felons are allowed to vote upon full discharge of their sentences.
In the state of Texas, what is the policy for felons' rights to vote?
Why is the Supreme Court case of Marbury v. Madison important?
In this case, the Court authorized itself to exercise judicial review over laws passed by Congress.
a
In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest? (p. 144) a) presidential elections b) gubernatorial general elections c) city elections d) runoff elections e) off-year congressional elections
Punishments
Incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service
The two most important factors in determining whether someone will vote are ______ and _________.
Income and Education
The two most important factors that determine whether someone votes are
Income level and education
All the following are principals generally supported by the Tea Party movement EXCEPT
Increase immigration
All of the following are principles generally supported by the Tea Party movement except
Increased immigration
What is a reason that incumbents are re-elected at such high rates?
Incumbents usually raise more money than do challengers.
Name recognition often gives __________ a distinct advantage ion Texas elections
Incumberment
Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as __________ in 2006
Independent
Texans are increasingly identifying themselves as
Independent
Kinky Friedman and Carole Keeton Strayhorn ran for governor as ______ in 2006..
Independent candidates.
Issue Advocacy
Independent spending by individuals or interest groups on a campaign issue but not directly tied to a particular candidate.
Unusual for _____ to run for office in Texas.
Independents
a
Individuals have the best chance to influence public policy when they (p. 175) a) are not opposed by organized interest groups. b) are polite. c) entertain legislators. d) vote. e) live in Austin.
e
Interest groups have an advantage over individuals in influencing policy because interest groups usually have (pp. 164-65) a) more time to influence officials. b) greater expertise than individuals. c) more money to influence elections. d) more staff. e) all of the above.
All of the following are benefits an interest group has over private citizens except
Interest groups have greater legitimacy with politicians than citizens do.
d
Interest groups often hire former legislators as lobby- ists to (p. 167) a) gain greater access to current legislators. b) benefit from the policy expertise of former legislators. c) benefit from the personal "insider" knowledge of the former legislator. d) all of the above. e) none of the above.
e
Interest groups provide public officials with all the fol- lowing except (p. 164) a) information. b) money. c) media coverage. d) votes. e) committee assignments.
Which of the following committees holds meeting only between legislative sessions?
Interim committees
What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?
It announced that in primary elections states could not restrict voters on account of race.
What is the importance of the post-adjournment veto power?
It cannot be overridden b/c the legislature is no longer in session and cannot call themselves back in to session to vote.
What do some argue is the one advantage of a plural executive in Texas?
It constrains the governor in the pursuit of excessive policies.
In Texas, what is the primary effect of a plural executive?
It dilutes the power of the governor and fragments the executive branch.
Why was the Supreme Court's decision in Ricci v. DeStefano important?
It held that, in order to seek damages, employees must show that employment tests for promotion are clearly defective, rather than that they produce unequal outcomes based on race or gender.
Is power in the Texas legislature centralized or decentralized?
It is centralized in the hands of the speaker and lieutenant governor
What was the basis of Justice John Marshall's assertion that the federal courts have the power of judicial review?
It is the duty of the courts to say what the law is, therefore it is necessary for the courts to interpret and expound upon the law.
Which of the following is NOT a description of an interest group?
It is typically active only at the national level of government
Which of the following in not a description of an interest group?
It is typically active only at the national level of government.
ONLINE QUIZ: What is the significance of the first Monday of October for the U.S. Supreme Court?
It marks the beginning of the Court's session each term.
Major state officials are elected in nonpresidential years because
It prevents popular presidential candidates from influencing he outcome of Texas races
What is the function of EMILY's List?
It provides early campaign funding for female candidates.
What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?
It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed.
______ is the only Texas governor to be both impeached and convicted.
James Ferguson
The last Democratic president that carried the state of Texas was
Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Which of the following forms of legislative action is used by the Texas legislature to propose constitutional amendments?
Joint resolution
with a unanimous vote
Jurors determine a guilty verdict in criminal cases
small claims
Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes?
Texas voter participation is among the ______ in the nation.
LOWEST
Which of the following third-party movements had the most success in winning elections in the post-World War 2 era?
La Rasa Unida
Which of the following third-party movement had the most success in winning elections in the post World War II era?
La Raza Unida
Which of the following groups could not be classified as a special interest group in Texas?
La Raza Unida Party.
Which of the following third-party movements had the most success in winning elections in the post-World War II era?
La Raza Unida.
The traditional start of the campaign season is _______.
Labor Day
_____ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.
Labor Day
______ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.
Labor Day
__________ is the traditional start of the general election campaign in Texas.
Labor Day
Which political action committee spend the least amount of money in Texas elections
Labor Unions
The ______ is the oldest state agency in Texas.
Land Office
The Republican party greatly expanded its success in Texas in the
Late 1990s-2000s
One of the Republican Parties greatest weakness in Texas is its lack of support among
Latinos
One of the Republican Party's greatest weaknesses in Texas is its lack of support among
Latinos
Which demographic group is the fastest growing in Texas?
Latinos
One of the Republican Party's greatest weaknesses in Texas is its lack of support among
Latinos.
Which demographic group is the fastest growing in Texas?
Lations
When he ran as an American Independent Party candidate, on what issue did George Wallace focus his campaign?
Law and Order (with racial overtones
Appeal
Legal errors, Juror misconduct, ineffective council, or lack of sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict
The legislative agency that helps draft the state budget is the
Legislative Budget Board
If the legislature fails to redistrict at the proper time, it will be done by the
Legislative Redistricting Board
If the Texas legislature fails to redistrict, responsibility for redistricting is assumed by the
Legislative Redistricting Board.
Which of the following statements concerning legislative courts is false?
Legislative court judges cannot have their salary reduced by Congress.
single-member districts
Legislature districts in the Texas House and Senate are
The salary of the Texas governor is determined by the
Legislature.
Although the democratic party dominated state politics for much of the twentieth century, by the 1950's it faced internal division between __________ and __________ Democrats.
Liberal; Conservative
Most Texas Democrats today would be classified as
Liberals.
According to the textbook, which Minor Party in Texas has a permanent spot on the ballot in the general election?
Libertarian Party
In modern-day Texas, control of state government
Lies solely in the hands of the Republicans
If the office of governor is vacated by absence of the governor, it is filled by
Lieutenant Governor
In 2002, David Dewhurst's ad in the Texas Monthly featuring German veterans hurt in his campaign for which office?
Lieutenant governor
When the governor of Texas dies, resigns, or is removed from office by impeachment and conviction, who becomes governor?
Lieutenant governor
Public defender
Like prosecutors are paid government employees, most commonly found in large jurisdictions, who's sole function is to represent indigent defendants
Public drunkenness, prostitution, petty larceny, traffic court, disorderly conduct, and a noise ordinance....about 90% stop here?
Limited jurisdiction
What has 13,000 courts and where everyone starts off?
Limited jurisdiction
State and local party organizations do all of the following EXCEPT
Litigate against unfavorable policies
State and local party organizations do all of the following except
Litigate against unfavorable policies
Which of the following is not usually considered a function of political parties?
Lobbying
e
Lobbying takes place in the (p. 169) a) legislative branch only. b) legislative and executive branches only. c) executive and judicial branches. d) time immediately before an election. e) legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
c
Lobbyists are (p. 172) a) all corrupt. b) all unethical. c) important sources of information for legislators. d) harmful to the democratic process. e) never retired legislators.
Parties at the state level have less power than at the national level because
Local issues are usually not ideological in nature
Why might parties at the state level have less power then that at the national level?
Local issues are usually not ideological in nature.
Why does Texas currently have low voter turnout?
Low levels of edu. attainment, low per capita income, high rate of poverty, location in the South, young pop, trad. and individualistic political culture, candidate centered elections and lil party competition, lack of media attention to substantive political issues, large number of undocumented residents and felons
Limited jurisdiction
Lowest level of state courts, also known as inferior courts or trial court The workload of the Lower courts can be divided into felony criminal cases, non-felony criminal cases, & civil cases
Jury trials
Many believe the jury to be the most sacred aspects of our criminal justice system -not all criminal defendant guarantee right to trial by jury
What is the particular problem in Texas judicial elections known as the "name game"?
Many voters will vote for a judicial candidate whose name they are familiar with, even if they know nothing about the candidate.
In Texas, primary elections are usually held in
March
Which of the following is not one of the personal characteristics shared by most Texas governors?
Mark White
In the 2014 Supreme Court case ________, the Court ruled that there was no evidence that making campaign contributions to large numbers of candidates led to the donor controlling the candidates. The Court therefore ruled that restrictions on this activity were not justified.
McCutcheon et al. v. Federal Election Commission
The most costly item for most political campaigns is ______.
Media
______ expenses account for the most significant campaign investments.
Media
The most costly item for most political campaigns is
Media advertising
b
Members of the plural executive are accountable to the (p. 234) a) voters and the governor. b) legislature and voters. c) constitution. d) state supreme court. e) legislature.
Commission-based appointment
Merit selection or Missouri plan ... A means of selecting judges whereby names of interested candidates are considered by a committee and recommendations are then made the governor, who then makes the appointment
In general, when it comes to voter turnout
Minority citizens vote at a lower rate than Anglo citizens
There is no questions that __________ is/are important for candidates success in Texas.
Money
bail
Money that is provided by the defendant to assure his or her appearance in court is referred to as _____.
In Texas elections, the ______ play(s) the largest role in running campaigns.
Money.
Would the options for reform mentioned in Governor's chapter give the Governor more or less power if they were adopted?
More power.
One of the reasons why party politics in Texas differs from that of other southern states is because
Most other southern states have a historically larger African American population than Texas.
The _____ Law has increased Voter turnout.
Motor-Voter Law
In 1803 John Marshall,the Chief Justice, that was at what important case?
Mulberry vs Madison
The first three years that the Supreme Court existed they do not issue any sentences, except for when what case changed it?
Mulberry vs Madison
Partisan election
Multiple candidates may seek the same judicial position; voters cast ballots; candidates have party affiliation
appeals
Municipal courts in the Texas court system have jurisdiction over all of the following areas EXCEPT
Which of the following is not a calendar used by the Texas House?
Municipal.
Although the 19th amendment was ratified ______ women were not fully enfranchised.
NON WHITE
______ gives incumbents a huge advantage.
Name recognition
On what level are U.S. political parties organized?
National, State, and County
When intraparty disputes split members into different groups, these groups are referred to as
New Deal economic policies and civil rights.
What marked the beginning of cooperative federalism
New deal
Which amendment granted women the right to vote?
Nineteenth
Women were given the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the
Nineteenth amendment
In __________ the U.S. Supreme court held that the state executive committees were acting as agents of the state and were discriminating in violation of the fourteenth amendment
Nixon v. Condon
Can a student use a P.O. box as his/her official address on his/her voter registration card?
No
Can a post adjournment veto be overridden by the Legislature?
No, because they cannot call themselves back into session. They must reintroduce the bill at the next regular session and start the process all over again.
Are the options for reform mentioned in the Governor's chapter likely to happen?
No, most of the public are not aware of the Governor's powers and are not interested in changing the Governor's powers.
Historically, have many governors been reelected?
No. Most governors have not been able to get elected to successive 4 year terms due to the public expectation of what they can accomplish and their actual power.
Do term limits apply to the Texas legislature?
No. Term limits do not apply.
Texas has -initiatives -referendum -both of the above -none of the above
None of the above
Lobbyists can do all of the following except
None-lobbyists can do all of the above
_______ elections are elections in which the party affiliations of candidates are not listed on the ballot.
Nonpartisan
_____________ elections are elections in which the party affiliations of candidates are not listed on the ballot.
Nonpartisan elections.
The most important role for political parties in Texas elections is to
Offer a candidate a label by which he or she can identify with the voters.
The most important role for political parties in Texas elections is to
Offer the candidate a label by which he or she can identify with the voters.
Charge bargaining
Offering to plead guilty to a lesser than the one charges, thus hoping for a lighter sentence
The primary responsibility for preparing the executive budget lies with the
Office of Budget and Planning.
probate cases, serious criminal misdemeanors, and civil cases where the amounts in dispute are relatively small, and appellate cases of municipal or justice of the peace courts
Often county courts in Texas have jurisdiction over which matters?
d
Officially, Texas has a (p. 136) a) joint primary. b) extended primary. c) open primary. d) closed primary. e) jumbled primary.
Right to counsel
Oh among us will be given the "guiding hand of counsel" all critical stages of a criminal proceeding and understanding their options... 6th amendment
b
On conviction, the criminal's punishment is determined (p. 256) a) by the Grand Jury. b) in a separate hearing by the jury or judge that determined the person's guilt. c) by the prosecuting attorney. d) by the prosecuting and defense attorneys. e) by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
b
One of the most important grassroots tactics of inter- est groups is (p. 173) a) gain support from all the mayors of town in a district. b) to get out the vote. c) to form political alliances with executive and legislative leaders. d) to lobby the judicial branch of national and state government. e) to interpret the needs of their members.
permits more opportunties to kill or significantly modify a bill
One of the most notable effects of bicameralism in the Texas legislature is that it
Vice Chair
One of two forming the top two state level leaders in the party along side state chair.
State Chair
One of two forming the top two state level leaders in the party along side vice chair.
Political equality means one person, "_________."
One vote
Defense attorney
One whose responsibility is to see that the rights of the accused are upheld, priority, during, and after trial
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Texas was
One- party Democratic
Who can call Special Sessions of the Legislature in Texas?
Only the Governor.
Who sets the agenda for special sessions?
Only the Governor.
White primary
Only white voters can participate
The purpose of an __________ is to allow any registered voter to cast a ballot in either primary, but not both. There are no party restrictions.
Open Primary
_____ primaries only allow registered members of a political party to vote to select that party's candidates, whereas ______ primaries allow all registered voters to choose which party's primary they will participate in.
Open; closed
Trial process
Opening statement; prosecution case, motion to dismiss; defense's case; prosecution rebuttal; closing argument; jury deliberation and verdicts
What is the problem with overlapping terms when it comes to the appointment power?
Overlapping Terms (6 years): Constraint on the Governor's appointment power. For the first two years of the governor's term of office, he has to work with appointees appointed by the previous governor. He cannot remove appointees appointed by the previous governor. He can only remove his own appointees by a 2/3 approval of the Senate.
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a(n)
PAC.
e
PACs are used to (pp. 172-73) a) stir the public's interest in politics. b) raise money from individuals, which is then bundled and given to candidates. c) create media campaigns to influence the course of government. d) create grass-roots campaigns. e) all of the above.
Two politically important groups organized by Spanish-speaking Texans are:
PASO and LULAC
Grand Juries
Panels of citizens who hear evidence of possible crime and to recommend whether the evidence is sufficient to file criminal charges
The Voter ID law is highly _______.
Partisan
The degree to which members of the Texas Republican Party have become more conservative, and members of the Texas Democratic Party have become more liberal, is referred to as
Partisan Polarization
How are most judges in Texas selected?
Partisan election
The degree to which members of the Texas Republican Party have become more conservative, and members of the Texas Democratic Party have become more liberal, is referred to as
Partisan polarization
What method of nomination did the Texas Democratic Party use prior to the adoption of the primary system?
Party Caucus
Voter ID law requires ______.
Person to show photo ID in order to vote
Which of the following was not part of the Supreme Court's ruling in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld?
Persons the president designates as enemy combatants do not have to be granted an opportunity to rebut those charges.
Providing a label that helps voters identify those seeking office is an important function of
Political Parties
The process by which our parents, teachers, and others influence our identification with a political party is referred to as
Political Socialization
The process of __________ occurs throughout our early years, when parents, religious leaders, teachers and other influence out partisan identifications.
Political Socialization
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a
Political action committee
A private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns is called a(n)
Political action committee
What is formed by an organization, industry, or individual for the purpose of collecting money and contributing to selected political candidates or causes?
Political action committees
____ are organizations established by corporations, labor unions, or interest groups to channel the contributions of their members into political campaigns.
Political action committees
Dark Money
Political money where the donors of the money do not have to be disclosed.
Occupy Movement
Political movement aimed at limiting the influence of wall street and big corporations in American politics; created following government bailouts in 2008.
Providing a label that helps voters identify those seeking office is an important function of
Political parties
________ DO NOT have a major role in running political campaigns.
Political parties
La Raza Unida Party
Political party formed in Texas in order to bring attention to the concerns of Mexican Americans.
The process by which our parents, teachers, and others influence our identification with a political party is referred to as
Political socialization
A _____ was a tax charged to voters as a prerequisite for registration.
Poll tax
Know the methods of disenfranchising many minorities before the 1960s regularly used in Texas..
Poll tax, early registration, white primary, Jaybird party.
Politicians/interest groups try to influence, manipulate, or manage the opinions of citizens by _______.
Polling public opinion
The poll tax disenfranchised
Poor people
Each political party selects delegates to the party's nominating presidential convention and a list of potential presidential electors during that party's:
Precinct Convention.
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called _______.
Preclearance
The procedure by which certain states, sucha s Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called
Preclearance
The pattern beginning in the 1950's, of Texans voting for a republican president but sticking with conservative Democrats for state office is called
Presidential Republicanism
b
Presidential Republicanism refers to which of the following? (p. 118) a) Texans voting for Republican local candidates b) Texans voting for Republican presidents and Democrats for state offices c) Texans voting for Republican presidents and Republicans for state offices d) Texans voting for Democratic local candidates e) Texans voting for third-party candidates at all levels
The pattern, beginning in the 1950s, of Texans voting for a Republican president but sticking with conservative Democrats for state offices is called
Presidential Republicans
In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest
Presidential elections
In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest?
Presidential elections
Is voter turnout higher in Presidential election years or in years when there is not a presidential election?
Presidential years
Know the function of political parties.
Previous
Know the types of elections found in Texas?
Primary Elections, Runoff primary, open primary, Closed primary General Election, Special Election.
White Primary
Primary election in which only white voters are eligible to participate.
______elections are held to select a party's candidate for the ____ elections.
Primary; general
Reapportionment
Process that takes place every 10 years to determine how many congressional seats each state will receive, depending on population shifts.
The Texas Medical Association is best describe as what kind of interest group
Professional
The Texas Medical Association is best described as what kind of interest group?
Professional group.
Third parties are most likely to have electoral success under which system of elections?
Proportional Representation
A system that allocates representation to legislatures that ensures a voice for minority parties is called a
Proportional representation system
Third parties are most likely to have electoral success under which systems of elections?
Proportional representation system
In the Texas legislature, a joint resolution would be used for which of the following purpose?
Propose a state constitutional amendment
Prosecutors dilemma
Prosecutors work for two separate bosses -Government/state -theoretical boss: concept of justice... Never prosecute who you do not think is guilty
The process of __________ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population
Reapportionment
The process of ______ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population.
Reapportionment.
____ is the process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives.
Redistricting
What method of policy making has become popular as a means of direct democracy?
Referendum
Early Registration required voters to _______.
Register nine months before the general election
In general, which party tends to favor lower taxes and few social programs?
Republican
Which party has controlled the White House for most of the last thirty years?
Republican
Which party was founded as a political expression of the anti slavery movement?
Republican
Which party is currently the beneficiary of straight-ticket voting?
Republican Party
Upper-class Americans are considerably more likely to affiliate with the ____________ Party; conservatives are more likely to identify with the ____________ Party; and citizens living in the northeast region are more likely to identify with the ____________ Party.
Republican, Republican, Democratic
In Texas, the ____ Party usually experiences higher voter turnout than the _____ Party does.
Republican; Democratic
In Texas, the __________ Party usually experiences higher voter turnout than the __________ party
Republican; Democratic
Who has benefited the most from early voting?
Republicans
_____ argued that the Voter ID law was necessary to prevent voter fraud.
Republicans
Which of the following statements best describes party-building activities from the 1960's to 2004?
Republicans have paid more attention to party building than Democrats
Texans are increasingly identifying themselves as
Republicans.
Texas trial lawyers frequently ally with
Republicans.
A(n) _____ occurs when the winner of a primary election fails to win an absolute majority of the votes cast.
Runoff election
If no candidate receives an absolute majority during the primary election, then there is a _______.
Runoff primary
A(n) ______ occurs when the winner of a primary election fails to win an absolute majority of the votes cast.
Runoff.
In Texas, which group is most likely to support the Republican Party?
Rural and Suburban Areas.
Which of the following officials is appointed by the governor in Texas?
Secretary of state
The most important role for political parties in Texas elections is to
Select candidates to run for office under the party label
The main role of the precinct convention is to
Select delegates for the county convention
Elections are the mechanisms people use to _____, _______, and _________.
Select leaders, authorize actions by government, and borrow money on behalf of government
Question 10 1 out of 1 points Correct Before the 1980s, the last Republican governor left office in Answers: A. 1845. B. 1962. C. never—there was no Republican governor before the 1980s. D. 1924. CorrectE. 1873.
Selected Answer: CorrectE. 1873.
Public Utilities Commission
Setting local telephone and electric rates is the responsibility of the
In what case did the Supreme Court rule that a key section of the voting rights act was unconstitutional, which affects a key provision requiring Texas to have its new districts approved by the U.S. department of justice
Shelby County v. Holder
The __________ movement was a movement during the 1950's in which conservative Democrats in Texas supported Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency because many of those conservative Democrats believed that the national Democratic Party had become too liberal.
Shivercrat
Which of the following is not an explanation for why Texas has one of the most controversial death penalty systems in the United States?
Since 1977, the electric chair has been the means for execution in Texas.
The Supreme Court held that states could not restrict voters on account of race in the case of
Smith v. Allwright.
From the Civil War to the 1960s, the _________was a Democratic stronghold.
South
The two issues thta caused some Democrats in 1948 to abandon their party were
Soviet Union foreign policy and Civil Rights
The presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives is the
Speaker.
The filling of legislative vacancies is done in
Special elections
Texas used poll tax in _____ elections until 1966.
State
In Texas, the highest level of temporary party organization is the
State convention.
What is Poll Tax?
State tax imposed on voters for registration
Major statewide officials are elected in nonresidential election years because
Such a system prevents popular presidential candidates from influencing state elections
The legislative agency which reviews state agencies and recommend whether they will be continued or abolished is the
Sunset Advisory Commission.
Bial
Surety(cash or paper bond) provided by A defendant to guarantee his or her return to court to answer to criminal charges
All of the following are principles generally supported by the Tea Party movement EXCEPT
Tea party movement advocates lower gov. spending, lower taxes and limited gov.
The largest and most effective public employee interest group in Texas is mad up of
Teachers
Suffrage
Term referring to the right to vote.
Which accurately describes the trade relationship between Tex and Mex
Tex exports more than $100 billion worth of goods to Mex
What was the largest state Donald Trump won in 2016?
Texas
Your interest group favors lower taxes, deregulation, and minimum safety standards. Which of the following groups are you likely to be a member of?
Texas Association of Businesses
The highest court in Texas for criminal matters is the ______________
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the ______ in 2005.
Texas Department of Transportation
Authority over railroads throughout Texas was given to the ________ in 2005.
Texas Department of Transportation
In 1932, representatives of industries interested in expanding highway construction in Texas formed the
Texas Good Roads Association
a
Texas House members differ from Texas Senate members because (p. 183) a) House members represent smaller districts and are subject to more frequent elections. b) House members represent people and senators represent counties. c) House members are elected from single-member districts and senators from multimember districts. d) House members have term limits and senators do not have term limits. e) House members must live in the state for 10 years before standing for election.
Know the list of the top interest groups in Texas.
Texas Medical Association, The Sierra Club, phone companies,Texas trial lawyers association.
. In 1944, Conservative Democrats broke from the party and became known as the
Texas Regulars
The highest court in Texas for civil matters is the ______________
Texas Supreme Court
Which entity has the main responsibility for collecting child-support payments?
Texas attorney general
apital cases are appealed directly to the ___________________
Texas court of criminal appeals
Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?
Texas executes more individuals than any other state and has a statistically low rate of successfully appealed capital cases
Which of the following best describes capital punishment in Texas?
Texas executes more individuals than any other state and has a statistically low rate of successfully appealed capital cases.
Some critics claim that interest groups are especially powerful in Texas because
Texas has no restrictions on campaign contributions.
Earlier restrictions in 1919 on voting.
Texas ratifies 19th amendment
Early Registration
Texas required early voting registration, more than nine months before the general election to avoid migrant workers voting. These provisions lasted until 1971.
e
Texas's movement from being a Democratic to a Republican state led to (pp. 259-60) a) defeats of large numbers of incumbent judges. b) party switching by incumbent judges. c) large campaign contributions to judges. d) election of more Republican judges. e) all of the above.
b
The "8F Crowd" (p. 163) a) was a group of legislators who failed the eighth grade. b) was a group of extremely wealthy Texans who met in Suite 8F of the Lamar Hotel in Houston and con- trolled Texas politics for 40 years. c) were 25 legislators who boycotted the eighth session of the legislature in order to prevent the legislators from taking any action because it lacked a quorum. d) was made up of eight lobbyists who were close friends of the governor. e) were the eight most powerful officials in the state who met in Suite F of the Austin State Office Building.
What is the significance of the U.S. Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?
The Court held that in primary elections, states could not restrict voters on account of race.
The farmers' interest group that influenced the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876?
The Grange.
The latest new party formed in the United States in an election year was
The Neutral Law Party
e
The Public Utilities Commission (p. 236-37) a) regulates some electric rates. b) regulates local phone rates. c) maintains a website so consumers can compare electric rates. d) maintains a "do not call" registry. e) All of the above are features of the Public Utilities Commission.
c
The Railroad Commission of Texas (p. 238) a) is responsible for the safety of the state's railroads. b) issues bonds to support the state's transportation needs. c) regulates oil and gas production in Texas. d) approves mergers of railroads. e) is the most powerful agency in the state.
Which of the following is not true?
The Republican Party is losing ground at the state level
The major competition for important statewide offices in present-day Texas happens at
The Republican primary
Which of the following bodies acts as a trial court when the governor has been impeached?
The Senate
a
The Shivercrat movement was (p. 118) a) a group of conservative Democrats in Texas who supported Eisenhower for president. b) a group of liberal Democrats who supported equal rights for all Americans. c) a group of conservative Republicans who rejected the Obama administration. d) a group of liberal Republicans who rejected the Bush administration. e) a group of Libertarians.
c
The Speaker of the Texas House is chosen (p. 200) a) in a statewide election. b) in a party-line vote by members of the Texas House. c) by a majority of the members of the House whether Democrat or Republican. d) by seniority in the House. e) by lot.
a
The State Board of Education (pp. 238-39) a) has a major role in determining the books used in Texas public schools. b) is appointed by the legislature. c) reviews applications to state colleges and universities. d) is responsible for school property tax rates. e) governs local boards of education.
c
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct (p. 271) a) screens judicial candidates to determine if they are qualified to be judges. b) offers continuing education courses for judges. c) investigates complaints of ethical violations by judges. d) recommends trial judges for promotion to appellate courts. e) makes rules governing the conduct of judges.
Andrew Jackson reputedly said, "John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it." What did he mean by this statement?
The Supreme Court is unable to enforce its decisions without the aid of the executive branch.
Which movement has had the largest impact on state legislative races in recent years?
The Tea Party movement
Which movement has had the largest impact on state legislative races in recent years?
The Tea party movement
a
The Texas Department of Insurance (p. 237) a) has limited power to regulate insurance rates. b) collects the penalties for not buying health insurance under Obamacare. c) sells insurance for mold coverage. d) is run by a five-member elected board. e) All of the above are features of the Texas Department of Insurance.
Which of the following bodies was created in 1949 to provide research and technical services to Texas legislators?
The Texas Legislative Council
d
The Texas Legislature meets in regular session (p. 187) a) 90 days every year. b) 180 days every year. c) 140 days each odd-numbered year and 60 days each even-numbered year. d) 140 days each odd-numbered year. e) 180 days each even-numbered year.
funding public school districts.
The Texas State Board of Education is responsible for all of the following EXCEPT
review the decisions of lower courts to determine whether legal principles and court procedures were followed correctly
The Texas Supreme Court and court of criminal appeals have appellate jurisdiction, which means they have the authority to do what?
break tie votes in the senate.
The Texas governor has all of the following legislative powers EXCEPT the power to
Which of the following statements explains why Texas currently has a low voter turnout?
The Texas political culture has been one in which elites have discouraged voting.
Preclearance is required by
The U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia.
General Land Office
The _____ is the oldest state agency in Texas
a
The ability of the lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House to control the final outcome of legislation comes from their power to (p. 203) a) appoint members of conference committees. b) refuse to approve the work of standing committees. c) exercise the legislative line-item veto. d) change up to three lines in any bill. e) control floor debate.
b
The agenda for a special session of the Texas Legislature is set by the (p. 187) a) lieutenant governor and the Speaker of the House. b) governor. c) Texas Supreme Court. d) chair of the Joint committee on Special Sessions. e) agenda-setting committee.
governor
The agenda for special sessions in the Texas legislature are set by the
Which of the following statements about the U.S. Courts of Appeals is incorrect?
The appeals courts are able to hear all cases involving federal law, but not constitutional law.
b
The attorney general is (p. 231) a) part of the governor's Cabinet. b) elected independently of the governor. c) appointed by the Texas Supreme Court. d) the governor's lawyer. e) chosen by the State Bar of Texas.
Ineffective counsel
The attorney was deficient in his or her performance, and and being so, the resulting prejudice to the defendant was so serious as to bring the outcome of the proceeding into question
What is the relationship of candidates for governor and lieutenant governor?
The candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run on separate tickets, and no formal relationship exists between the two.
Plenary Review
The court's full review of cases, complete with briefs, oral arguments, and written decisions
Scandals about the "streak men", Bo Piligrim, and Frib Lewis resulted in
The creation of a state ethic commission
Arraignment
The criminal court proceeding where a formally charged defendant is informed of the charges and asked to enter a final plea of guilty or not guilty
Partisan Polarization
The degree to which Republicans have become more conservative and Democrats have become more Liberal.
Which of the following statements concerning the Texas Department of Insurance is incorrect?
The department makes sure that all Texans are covered by health insurance.
What is the purpose of a primary election?
The determine the party's nominees for the general election.
which of the following best describes the federal gov's efforts to raise the drinking age to 21
The fed gov took away federal highway funds from states that did not raise their drinking age to 21
Why has partisan conflict surrounded federal judicial appointments in recent years?
The federal courts play an important role in shaping American law and politics.
Which of the following statements about congressional redistricting is accurate?
The federal government has generally supported the creation of majority-minority districts.
e
The goals of interest groups include all except (pp. 164-65) a) electing people to office in order who support the groups' goals. b) influencing those who control government. c) educating the public and members about issues of importance to the group. d) providing campaign funds for favored candidates. e) maintaining a heterogeneous membership.
Which of the following is not a member of the Legislative Redistricting Board?
The governor
What are appointment powers?
The governor can appoint people to certain government positions with 2/3 approval vote of the Senate. However, they may be blocked by senatorial courtesy.
Suppose that the regular session of the Texas legislature ends and the legislature has failed to adopt legislation addressing an important matter. What, if anything, can be done to address the situation now?
The governor can call a special session.
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?
The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster.
a
The governor can grant (p. 226) a) pardons. b) suspended sentences. c) probation. d) retrials. e) parole.
What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process?
The governor has the power to appoint judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held.
Which of the following is not a major criticism of the method of judicial selection in Texas today?
The governor has too much power in judicial selection.
Regarding the removal power of the governor of Texas:
The governor may unilaterally remove any member of his or her staff.
What is the process for granting clemency in Texas?
The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States.
The governor of Texas has
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy?
The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy? Question 1 options: The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees. The governor will not veto a bill without first giving the bill's senate sponsor an opportunity to amend it. The senate will use the governor's budget plan as its blueprint for the upcoming session. The governor will address the full senate at the beginning of each legislative session. The senate will automatically approve any nominee submitted by the governor.
The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's exercise of senatorial courtesy?
The governor will not appoint someone to office unless that appointee's state senator agrees.
b
The governor's most effective power in controlling the executive branch of state government is the power (p. 222) a) of the veto. b) of appointment. c) of removal. d) of judicial review. e) to create a state budget.
c
The highest criminal court in the state of Texas is the (p. 251) a) Texas Supreme Court. b) Texas Court of Appeals. c) Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. d) county court. e) district court
$10,000
The highest fine an individual can receive upon criminal sentencing is _______.
Free Rider Problem
The incentive the benefit from others work without making a contribution, which leads individuals in a collective action situation to refuse to work together.
Bundling
The interest group practice of combining campaign contributions from several sources into one larger contribution from the group, so as to increase the groups impact on the candidate.
Political Socialization
The introduction of individuals into the political culture; learning the underlying beliefs and values on which the political system is based.
The distinguishing feature of the 2010 and 2012 campaigns in Texas was _________.
The lack of emphasis on state issues
b
The land commissioner (p. 231) a) records all property deeds. b) administers state land. c) surveys property in Texas. d) is appointed by the state Senate. e) administers Big Bend National Park.
Court of last resort
The last court that may here a case at the state or federal level
the legislature fails to redistrict in the first regular session.
The legislative Redistricting Board has the authority to draw new districts if
d
The most costly item for most political campaigns is (p. 156) a) travel. b) security. c) fund-raising. d) media. e) food.
e
The most important thing interest groups need to be effective is (p. 166) a) the support of a majority of Texans. b) office space in Austin. c) a variety of issues on which to lobby. d) a large, paid staff. e) access to politicians.
male, between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine.
The most prison-prone group of individuals in society are those that are
e
The only constitutional method of removing the governor is (p. 218) a) quo warranto proceedings. b) ex post facto removal. c) a vote of no confidence. d) impeachment. e) impeachment and conviction.
Which of the following is true?
The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election
Which of the following is true? a) Poll taxes are legal b) Women acquired the right to vote in the original 1876 Texas Constitution c) The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election d) You do not have to be a resident of Texas to vote in Texas e) Latinos vote at higher rates than African Americans
The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election
General jurisdiction
The power of a court to hear a particular type of case; also, the territory where a court may conduct its work-city, county, state, or federal (the MAJOR trial courts)
Defenders dilemma
The problem with assigned counsel is that the attorney may have little or no experience handling the criminal matter at hand. "you get what you paid for"
c
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called (p. 152) a) redistricting. b) reapportionment. c) preclearance. d) external validation. e) judicial review.
b
The process by which political parties become more distant from each other in terms of ideology is (p. 108) a) partisan convergence. b) partisan polarization. c) partisan conventions. d) partisan equilibrium. e) partisan deliverance.
Redistricting
The process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives in the Texas House, Texas Senate, and U.S. House; this process usually happens every 10 years to reflect shifts in population or in response to legal challenges in existing districts.
are minimal, in keeping with the idea that office holding should be open to most citizens
The requirements for holding office in Texas legislature
ONLINE QUIZ: The decorum of the courtroom refers to which of the following?
The reverence extended to the judge during court proceedings.
In Texas, ______ is/are responsible for redistricting.
The state legislature.
d
The two most powerful political figures in the Texas Legislature are the (p. 200) a) governor and the lieutenant governor. b) governor and the attorney general. c) Speaker of the House and the governor. d) Speaker of the House and the lieutenant governor. e) Chairs of the finance committee in each house.
white, affluent businessman
The typical Texas legislator is most likely to be a
Which of the following reasons best explains the short lives of third parties?
Their causes are usually eliminated by the ability of the major parties to absorb their programs and to draw their supporters into the mainstream.
a
There are _______ members of the Texas Senate, and state senators serve a _______ year term. (p. 183) a) 31/4 b) 100/6 c) 150/2 d) 300/6 e) 435/2
Why did the Texas constitution establish a plural executive? Question 5 options: Texas was following the structure of the federal executive. There was suspicion of a strong chief executive. The complications of running a state as large as Texas necessitate a plural executive. It was necessary in order for the executive branch to be as dominant as possible. It was necessary to provide an important check on the state legislature.
There was suspicion of a strong chief executive.
Which of the following statements is NOT accurate with regard to the general rules of interest group formation?
Those in the working class are more likely to join groups than those in the upper class.
How many readings does the Texas Constitution require that proposed legislation be given before being enacted into law?
Three
What is the purpose of the two-thirds rule in the Texas Senate?
To allow for consideration of a bill on the Senate floor
Which of the following is the purpose of special elections?
To fill vacancies in elected offices
Know the reasons why special elections are held in Texas.
To fill vacancies in office, to give approval for the state gov. to borrow money, or to ratify amend. to the state constitution.
Which of the following is the purpose of special elections?
To fill vacancies in office, to give approval for the state gov. to borrow money, or to ratify amend. to the state constitution.
a
Trial lawyers are which type of interest group? (p. 166) a) professional group. b) public employee group. c) single-issue group. d) consumer group. e) business group.
4. Low voter turnout among minority voters is due to their disadvantaged socioeconomic status.
True
7. Unless a third party candidate received at least 20 percent of the vote in the last governor's race, a third party is entitled to select its candidates through its state convention.
True
Democrats held the majority of elected offices during Reconstruction
True
Duverger's Law states that single-member districts result in two-party systems.
True
Judicial review over acts of Congress was established by Marbury v. Madison.
True
ONLINE QUIZ: In a courtroom, everyone goes through a metal detector.
True
ONLINE QUIZ: Some states utilize a grand jury system to determine probably cause against the defendant to proceed to trial.
True
ONLINE QUIZ: There is no appeal to a higher authority after a decision is made by the U.S. Supreme Court.
True
Participation in the Democratic Party primary election in March of 2008 broke all records for voter turnout in Texas.
True
Texas's chief election official is the secretary of state.
True
In South Texas, Democrats control many cities, towns, and school boards due to the large Latino population.
True.
Incumbents are most likely to receive large campaign contributions.
True.
Interest groups typically have more time, money, and expertise to offer politicians than do average citizens.
True.
Lobbyists may gain access to legislators by building support for an issue among their constituents.
True.
Most third-party candidates in Texas are unsuccessful in their electoral bids.
True.
One reason for low levels of voter turnout in Texas is because of low levels of educational attainment in the state.
True.
Partisan polarization refers to situations in which members of the same political party begin to fight over policy and ideological issues.
True.
Poll taxes, such as those used in Texas, disenfranchised poor voters.
True.
Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March.
True.
The Dixiecrat movement led by Strom Thurmond in 1948 opposed the segregationist ideas of President Truman.
True.
The last Democratic governor of Texas was Ann Richards.
True.
The main role of the precinct convention is to select delegates for the county-level convention.
True.
To register to vote in Texas, a person must have been a resident of Texas for at least thirty days.
True.
Anglo Texans have voter turnout levels that are higher than Latino turnout levels.
True.**
More money is spent in Texas by the communications industry than any other represented interest.
True.**
By the mid-1930s, liberals and conservatives began a decade-long struggle for control of the Democratic Party
True?
The general election is held the first
Tuesday following the Monday in November of even numbered years.
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passing of the
Twenty-Fourth Amendment
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the
Twenty-fourth Amendment
Negotiating
Two 5-year terms to be served concurrently, as opposed to consecutively
Early voting increases the polling period from twelve hours to
Two weeks
Which of these districts are not determined by the Legislature?
U.S. Senate
Basis in article 3 section 1 of the Constitution for what court?
US Supreme Court
One effect of the high cost of campaigns in TX is that candidates are often very wealthy individuals willing to ________.
Use their own money in campaigns
Political campaigns are candidates efforts to win _____ support.
Voter
Why is it difficult for voters to learn about judicial candidates in Texas?
Voters are called upon to vote for too many different judicial races in a single election.
Closed primary
Voters can participate in the candidates nomination, but only for the party in which they have been enrolled for a period of time prior to the primary
Open primary
Voters can wait until the primary to choose party to select candidates for the general election
Primary election
Voters select their party's candidate for a general election
Preclearance is required by the
Voting Rights Act of 1965
The most important federal law involved in the expansion of the franchise in Texas was the
Voting Rights Act of 1972
The Occupy movement is a political movement interested in limiting the influence of what in American politics?
Wall Street and big business
The Occupy movement is a political movement interested in limiting the influence of __________ in America
Wall street and big business
The Occupy movement is a political movement interested in limiting the influence of what in American politics?
Wall street and big corporations.
the power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts
What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power?
Unlike a bill, a resolution, if passed, lacks the force of a public law.
What is the main difference between a bill and a resolution?
the power to appoint boards and commissions
What is the most significant and far-reaching of the Texas governor's powers?
Many voters will vote for a judicial candidate whose name they are familiar with, even if they know nothing about the candidate.
What is the particular problem in Texas judicial elections known as the "name game"?
The governor must follow the recommendations of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
What is the process for granting clemency in Texas?
It reviews state agencies every twelve years to see if they are still needed.
What is the purpose of the Sunset Advisory Commission in Texas?
impeachment
What is the ultimate check on the governor?
93 percent
What percentage of the 819 justices of the peace in Texas are non-lawyers?
violent offenses
What type of offenses are Texas prison inmates most likely to be imprisoned for?
civil appeals
What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear?
a
When PACs combine small contributions from many sources to form one large contribution, it is called (p. 165) a) bundling. b) compacting. c) cracking. d) polling. e) packing.
What does it mean for an interest group to "get on the late train"?
When an opposed interest group is unfriendly with the winner and they have to get on good terms and contribute money late.
c
When are gubernatorial elections held? (p. 136) a) during presidential election years b) during odd-numbered years c) during even-numbered years that are not presidential election years. d) every year e) every six months
a line-item veto
When the Texas governor strikes out particular spending provisions in an appropriations bill, it is called
the line-item veto
When the governor strikes out specific spending provisions in large appropriations bills, it is called
Special elections are held
Whenever we need them
e
Which agency investigates the performance of state agencies and recommends whether an agency should be abolished, continued as is, or continued with changes? (p. 240) a) Legislative Budget Board b) Legislative Research Bureau c) Texas Research League d) Public Utilities Commission e) Sunset Advisory Commission
the court of criminal appeals
Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?
county judge
Which individual presides over the county courts?
Texas Supreme Court
Which judicial candidate race is considered the most expensive, where candidates are likely to raise over $1 million?
a
Which member of the plural executive is appointed? (p. 228) a) secretary of state b) land commissioner c) lieutenant governor d) comptroller of public accounts e) attorney general
b
Which minority group is the fastest growing in Texas? (p. 111) a) African Americans b) Latinos c) Asian Americans d) Native Americans e) All are growing equally.
thirty-five years of age, citizen of the United States, resident of Texas, practicing attorney or judge
Which of the following best describes the requirement(s) necessary to be a judge of the Texas Supreme Court?
e
Which of the following groups has the largest number of judges? (p. 264) a) African Americans b) American Indians c) Asian Americans d) Hispanics e) women
bigamy, sexual assault, arson, and manslaughter
Which of the following groups of crimes are considered second-degree felonies?
family law matters
Which of the following is NOT an example of general jurisdiction under a Texas district court?
removing, for suitable cause, the Speaker or lieutenant governor
Which of the following is not a legislative power of the Texas governor?
born in Texas
Which of the following is not a qualification a person would need to be a viable candidate for governor of Texas?
murder of a child under the age of twelve
Which of the following is not a reason that an individual can be given the death penalty in Texas?
Minority candidates tend to be outspent by white candidates.
Which of the following is not a reason, listed by the text, that there are few minority judges in Texas?
c
Which of the following is not a type of election found in Texas? (pp. 135-36) a) general b) primary c) distinguished d) special e) runoff primary
d
Which of the following is not necessary to become governor of Texas? (p. 217) a) A governor must be at least 30 years of age. b) A governor must have lived in Texas for at least five years. c) A governor must be a U.S. citizen. d) A governor must be a lawyer. e) A governor must have substantial campaign funding.
b
Which of the following is not true? (p. 125) a) Cities in Texas have become more Democratic. b) Cities in Texas are dominated by third parties. c) Rural areas of Texas are solidly Republican. d) Texas soburbs contain pockets of both Democrats and Republicans. e) Democrats dominate elections in Dallas County.
The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster.
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers?
c
Which of the following is true? (p. 139) a) Poll taxes are legal. b) Women acquired the right to vote in the original 1876 Texas Constitution. c) The poll tax restricted the participation of poor people in the general election. d) You do not have to be a resident of Texas to vote in Texas. e) Latinos vote at higher rates than African Americans.
c
Which of the following judges do not have to be lawyers? (p. 253) a) Texas Supreme Court justices b) district judges c) justices of the peace d) Texas Criminal Court of Appeals justices e) probate judges
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles
Which of the following makes the decision to grant parole?
a
Which of the following sets campaign contribution limits for judicial candidates in Texas? (p. 268) a) Judicial Campaign Fairness Act b) Judicial Campaign Law c) Equal Justice Act d) Code of Judicial Conduct e) Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
Historically, partisanship has been rather low, but in recent years legislature has moved into a more partisan era.
Which of the following statements about partisanship in the Texas legislature is correct?
Only the senate has the constitutional authority to launch investigations into problems concerning the state
Which of the following statements about the Texas legislature is incorrect?
The department makes sure that all Texans are covered by health insurance.
Which of the following statements concerning the Texas Department of Insurance is incorrect?
California
Which of the following states does not have a higher incarceration rate than Texas?
Texas
Which of the following states has not outright banned or considered a ban on the death penalty?
a
Which of the following third parties and movements had the most success in winning elections in post- World War II Texas? (pp. 114-15) a) La Raza Unida Party b) The Occupy movement c) The Green Party d) The Kinky Friedman movement e) The Constitution Party
state treasurer
Which state office was eliminated in 1996?
d
Which state official, in large part, determines the total amount of money the legislature may appropriate? (p. 198) a) governor b) lieutenant governor c) treasury d) comptroller of public accounts e) attorney general
The mass exodus of more affluent whites from urban areas to suburban areas is sometimes referred to as
White Flight.
Which statement is not true about the election of 2006 in Texas?
White voters accounted for 75% of voters.
Which demographic group has the largest percentage share of voters in Texas
Whites
Today, the Texas Democratic Party's base is made up of all of the following Except
Whites in East Texas
Today, the Texas Democratic party's base is made up of all the following EXCEPT
Whites in East Texas
a
Who has benefited the most from early voting? (p. 146) a) Republicans b) Democrats c) All parties have benefited equally d) Independents e) Greens
the Texas legislature
Who has responsibility for redistricting the Texas delegation to the U.S. Congress?
a
Who is the first Republican to become Texas governor since Reconstruction? (p. 155) a) William Clements b) Rick Perry c) George W. Bush d) Ann Richards e) Kinky Friedman
William Clements in 1978
Who was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction, and when was he or she elected?
The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget
Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?
Democrats claimed that the voter ID law ________.
Will make it harder for those with lower incomes, students, and the elderly to vote
Who is the first Republican to become Texas governor since Reconstruction?
William Clements
Who was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction, and when was he or she elected?
William Clements in 1978
A victim of education policy, "no pass, no play", the governor who was defeated by a Republican in 1986 was
William Clements.
The first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction was
William Clements.
__________ was the first Republican to hold the office of Texas governor sice the end of Reconstruction
William R. Clements
______ was the first Republican to hold the office of Texas governor since the end of Reconstruction.
William R. Clements.
Which statement concerning women's suffrage is correct
Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Sentencing
Would've may order pre-sentence investigation (PSI) by probation or court services personnel to look at the history of the person convicted, any extenuating circumstances, a review of the criminal record, or the specific facts of the crime
A nonprofit group that also engages in issue advocacy and is allowed to spend up to half of its revenue for political purposes is called
a 501(c)(4) committee.
primary election
a ballot vote in which citizens select a party's nominee for the general election
initial appearance
a formal proceeding during which the accused is read his or her rights, informed of the charges, and given the amount of bail required to secure pretrial release
Which of the following would be most likely to be hired as a lobbyist for a major economic concern?
a former member of the legislature
The 8F Crowd was
a group of elite, wealthy, powerful, pro-business ppl, 8F was the number on a suite of rooms at the Lamar Hotel in Houston
External mobilization occurs when...
a group of politicians outside government organizes popular support to win governmental power
The 2016 presidential election was decided more by _____ than by any other factors.
a huge shift of working-class voters from the Democrats to Republicans
standing
a legal doctrine requiring that one must not be a party to a lawsuit unless he or she has a personal stake in its outcome
Efforts to organize teachers in Texas are handicapped by
a legal prohibition against bargaining collectively with school districts.
adversarial system
a legal system wherein there is a contest between two opposing sides, with a judge (and possibly jury) sitting as an impartial arbiter, seeking judge
When the Texas governor strikes out particular spending provisions in an appropriations bill, it is called
a line-item veto
When the Texas governor strikes out particular spending provisions in an appropriations bill, it is called
a line-item veto.
causation
a link between one's act and the injurious act or crime, such as one tossing a match in a forest and igniting a deadly fire
A candidate must win by ____________ to win a primary in Texas.
a majority
The speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is elected by
a majority of House members
proportional representation
a multiple-member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote
proportional representation
a multiple-member district system that allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote (page 373)
A proportional-representation electoral system is...
a multiple-member district system that gives each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote
A proportional-representation electoral system is...
a multiple-member district system that gives each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote.
If you violate a city ordinance in Texas, which type of court would most likely hear your case?
a municipal court
national convention
a national party political institution that nominates the party's presidential and vice-presidential candidates, establishes party rules, and writes and ratifies the party's platform
caucus (political)
a normally closed meeting of a political or legislative group to select candidates, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters
caucus (political)
a normally closed political party business meeting of citizens to select candidates, elect officers, plan strategy, or make decisions regarding legislative matters (page 375)
party platform
a party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and policy positions (page 379)
platform
a party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and positions on issues
When the Supreme Court refuses to review a lower-court decision, announcing this decision through a brief unsigned opinion, it is called ______ opinion
a per curiam
When a case is resolved through a negotiated agreement before a full trial is completed, it is called
a plea bargain
To win the presidency, a candidate must receive ____ of electoral college votes.
a plurality
To be the winner of the general election, a candidate must have
a plurality vote.
The governor does not have the power to exercise:
a pocket veto.
Primary elections are held to select
a political party's presidential candidate for the general election.
two-party system
a political system in which only two parties have a realistic opportunity to compete effectively for control
plea negotiation (or bargaining)
a preconviction process between the prosecutor and the accused in which a plea of guilty is given by a defendant, with certain specified considerations in return (ex. having several charges or counts tossed out, and a plea by the prosecutor to the court for leniency or shorter sentence)
open primary
a primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest, regardless of party affiliation
closed primary
a primary election in which only registered members of a particular political party can vote
open primary
a primary election in which the voter can wait until the day of the primary to choose which party to enroll in to select candidates for the general election (page 372)
closed primary
a primary election in which voters can participate in the nomination of candidates but only of the party in which they are enrolled for a period of time prior to primary day (page 372)
political action committee*
a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns
political action committee (PAC)
a private group that raises and distributes funds for use in election campaigns (page 395)
recall
a procedure to allow voters to remove state officials from office before their terms expire by circulating petitions to call a vote (page 382)
discovery
a procedure wherein both the prosecution and the defense exchange and share information as to witnesses to be used, results of tests, recorded statements by defendants, or psychiatric reports, so that there are no major surprises at trial
ballot initiative
a proposed law or policy change that is placed on the ballot by citizens or interest groups for a popular vote (page 381)
general election
a regularly scheduled election involving most districts in the nation or state, in which voters select officeholders; in the United States, general elections for national office and most state and local offices are held on the first Tuesday in November in even-numbered years (every four years for presidential elections) (page 372)
delegate
a representative who votes according to the preferences of his or her constituency (page 378)
runoff primary
a second primary election held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first primary election if no candidate in the first primary election had received a majority
Senatorial Courtesy
a senator from the same state as the nominee and the same political party as the president can block a nomination for virtually any reason
What is the Uniform Commercial Code?
a set of codes states may voluntarily adopt in order to reduce interstate differences in judicial opinions
To win a primary in Texas, a candidate must win by
a simple majority.
preliminary hearing
a stage in the criminal process conducted by a magistrate to determine whether a person charged with a crime should be held for trial based on probable cause; does not determine guilt or innocence
majority system
a type of electoral system in which, to win a seat in the parliament or other representative body, a candidate must receive a majority of all the votes cast in the relevant district (page 372)
plurality system
a type of electoral system in which, to win a seat in the parliament or other representative body, a candidate need only receive the most votes in the election, not necessarily a majority of the votes cast
plurality system
a type of electoral system in which, to win a seat in the parliament or other representative body, a candidate need only receive the most votes in the election, not necessarily a majority of the votes cast (page 372)
The Texas Legislature has all of the following characteristics except:
a unicameral structure
The Shivercrat movement was a) a group of conservative Democrats in Texas who supported Eisenhower for president b) a group of liberal Democrats who supported equal rights for all Americans c) a group of conservative Republicans who rejected the Obama administration d) a group of liberal Republicans who rejected the Bush administration e) a group of Libertarians
a) A group of conservative Democrats in Texas who supported Eisenhower for president.
All of the following groups constitute the Democratic Party base in Texas except a) business leaders b) Latinos c) African Americans d) white liberals e) urban residents
a) Business Leaders
Which of the following third parties and movements had the most success in winning elections in post World War II Texas? a) La Raza Unida Party b) the Occupy movement c) the Green Party d) the Kinky Friedman movement e) the Constitution Party
a) La Raza Unida Party
Who has benefited the most from early voting a) Republicans b) Democrats c) All parties have benefited equally d) Independents e) Greens
a) Republicans
In the state of Texas, the highest level of temporary organization is the a) state convention b) state executive committee c) governor's convention d) civil executive committee e) speaker's committee
a) State Convention
Who is the first Republican to become Texas governor since reconstruction a) William Clements b) Rick Perry c) George W. Bush d) Ann Richards e) Kinky Friedman
a) William Clements
Individuals have the best chance to influence the public policy when they a) are not opposed by organized interest groups b) are polite c) entertain legislators d) vote e) live in Austin
a) are not opposed by organized interest groups
When interest groups combine small contributions from many sources to form one large contribution, it is called a) bundling b) compacting c) cracking d) polling e) packing
a) bundling
The two most important factors in determining whether someone will vote are a) income and education b) education and family history of voting c) income and gender d) party membership and gender e) ethnicity and race
a) income and education
In which of the following elections is voter turnout the highest a) presidential elections b) gubernatorial general elections c) city elections d) runoff elections e) off-year congressional elections
a) presidential elections
Trial Lawyers are which type of interest group a) professional group b) public employee group c) single issue group d) consumer group e) business group
a) professional group
African Americans in Texas a) tend to cast their votes for Democrats b) are a large part of the Republican base c) vote mainly for independent candidates d) constitute less than 10 percent of the population e) split their votes evenly between the Democratic and Republican parties
a) tend to cast their votes for Democrats
An individual must be registered at least __________ days prior to the election to be eligible to vote in Texas. a. 30 b. 180 c. 60 d. 3
a. 30
When the Texas governor strikes out particular spending provisions in an appropriations bill, it is called a. A line-item veto. b. A post-adjournment veto. c. A pocket veto. d. An unconstitutional action. e. Budget reconciliation.
a. A line-item veto.
The traditionalistic political culture is especially characteristic of which Texas area? a. East Texas c. Central Texas b. Northwest Texas d. West Texas
a. East Texas
According to the authors, what is the defining characteristic of representative democracies? a. Elections c. C. Writing letters to local representatives b. Voting d. Distributing campaign literature
a. Elections
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller? a. Estimating tax revenues for the legislature b. Overseeing the state police and the Texas Rangers c. Enforcing all state land-use and takings laws d. Regulating the oil industry in the state e. Certifying election results in the state
a. Estimating tax revenues for the legislature
The ______ is the oldest state agency in Texas. a. General Land Office b. Texas Ranger Division c. Railroad Commission d. Department of Public Safety e. Agriculture of Commission
a. General Land Office
Which individuals are legally disqualified from voting? a. Individuals that have been legally declared mentally incompetent b. A convicted felon who has received a pardon c. Individuals who have been incarcerated d. Individuals who have lost their voter registration card
a. Individuals that have been legally declared mentally incompetent
Which of the following is not included in the Texas campaign finance law? a. Limitations on the amount a candidate is allowed to spend b. Disclosure of who makes contributions c. Report of how much a candidate raises d. Disclosure of how campaign funds are spent
a. Limitations on the amount a candidate is allowed to spend
In state elections, what two factors predominate? a. Party identification and incumbency b. Fundraising and incumbency c. Qualifications and party identification d. Name recognition and incumbency
a. Party identification and incumbency
Which office is charged with ensuring the accuracy of official weights and measures? a. The Department of Agriculture b. The Department of Weights and Measures c. The attorney general d. The comptroller e. The General Land Office
a. The Department of Agriculture
Which of the following is the best example of the Texas governor's military powers? a. The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster. b. The governor can use federal troops stationed in camps within Texas. c. The governor receives a National Guard pension when he or she retires. d. The governor automatically posses the rand of general in the U.S. Armed Forces. e. The governor can call in federal troops to assist the state if the governor deems it necessary.
a. The governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster.
In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is not elected by voters? a. The secretary of state b. The attorney general c. The comptroller d. The lieutenant governor e. The commissioner of agriculture
a. The secretary of state
In Texas, the lieutenant governor is also the president of the senate and may cast a vote to break a tie. a. True b. False
a. True
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice ordered Harris County to provide ballots (and voting material) in which language? a. Vietnamese c. Mandarin b. Spanish d. Korean
a. Vietnamese
All special elections in the state a. are nonpartisan elections. b. are held only after a primary election. c. require only a plurality of the votes. d. require run-offs.
a. are nonpartisan elections.
Texas requires that all ballots and election materials be printed in other languages in addition to English if a. counties have at least 5 percent or greater language minority. b. counties have at least 10 percent or greater language minority. c. local laws require that counties must have bilingual ballots. d. individuals prove they speak in another language other than English.
a. counties have at least 5 percent or greater language minority.
The total number of persons in the United States who are 18 years of age or older, regardless of citizenship, military status, felony conviction, or mental state defines a. voting age population. b. voter turnout. c. participation paradox. d. voter registration.
a. voting age population.
TAKE HOME QUIZ: A legal system in which there is a contest between two opposing sides is called an __________________.
adversarial system
concurring opinions
agree with the overall conclusion in the case but stress some different or additional legal reasoning
In reality, the passage or defeat of a bill depends on:
all of the above
Labor unions are handicapped in Texas by state laws prohibiting
all of the above
The existence of standing committees in the House and Senate promotes
all of the above
The typical Texas legislator is
all of the above
Critics of the existing system believe that initiative and referendum would
all of the above.
Governor Clements had difficulties in his first term in office because
all of the above.
Legislators in Texas are handicapped by
all of the above.
Public policy that has the force of law is made by
all of the above.
Supporters of the existing system believe that initiative and referendum would
all of the above.
trial process
all of the steps in the adjudicatory process, from indictment or charge to conviction or acquittal
A person, agency, or interest group not directly a party to a case but with an interest in its outcome may file a(n) ______ brief.
amicus curiae
Early voting increases the polling period from twelve hours to
an additional 2 weeks prior to the election.
Which of the following is an example of horizontal federalism?
an agreement between three states related to use of a shared river
delay (trial)
an attempt (usually by defense counsel) to have a criminal trial continued until a later date
campaign
an effort by political candidates and their supporters to win the backing of donors, political activists, and voters in their quest for political office (page 383)
What is a closed primary?
an election in which voters can participate in the nomination of candidates, but only of the party in which they are enrolled for a period of time prior to Election Day
majority-minority district
an electoral district, such as a congressional district, in which the majority of the constituents belong to racial or ethnic minorities (page 375)
single-member district
an electorate that is allowed to select only one representative from each district
multiple-member district
an electorate that selects all candidates at large from the whole district
The term, "plural executive," refers to
an executive branch of government in which the governor shares the power with some officeholders
lobbyist
an individual employed by an interest group who tries to influence governmental decisions on behalf of that group
policy entrepreneur
an individual who identifies a problem as a political issue and brings a policy proposal into the political agenda
town hall meeting
an informal public meeting in which candidates meet with ordinary citizens; allows candidates to deliver messages without the presence of journalists or commentators (page 388)
Writ of Certiorari
an order seeking review of the lower court case
interest group
an organization established to influence the government's programs and policies
The Department of Public Safety is responsible for all of the following except
animal and insect control.
In which type of case does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction?
any case involving an ambassador
Who may draft a bill for introduction in the House?
any member of the House.
pretrial motions/processes
any number of motions filed by prosecutors and defense attorneys prior to trial, to include quashing of evidence, change of venue, discovery, to challenge a search or seizure, to raise doubts about expert witnesses, or to exclude a defendant's confession
In most circumstances, a supreme court is best described as a(n) ______ court.
appellate
TAKE HOME QUIZ: Each of the following are examples of specialty courts EXCEPT:
appellate
The most significant power of a presiding officer of the Texas legislature is the right to
appoint members to standing committees.
Committee chairpersons of standing committees are
appointed by the lieutenant governor.
Members of conference committees are
appointed by the presiding officers of each house.
In Texas, the plural executive is held accountable through all of the following EXCEPT
appointment by the governor.
In Texas, the plural executive is held accountable through all of the following except
appointment by the governor.
The case Baker v. Carr concerns
apportionment of legislative seats
Statutory probate courts are designed to
assist in issues concerning the dispersion of property of deceased persons
Which of the following is not an informal qualification for the typical Texas governor?
at least thirty years of age
The chief lawyer for Texas is the Question 2 options: chief justice of the state supreme court. attorney general. secretary of state. state comptroller. lieutenant governor.
attorney general.
The occupation that is listed most frequently by Texas Legislature is
attorney.
Which of the following is not true? a) Cities in Texas have become more Democratic b) Cities in Texas are dominated by third parties c) Rural areas of Texas are solidly Republican d) Texas suburbs contain pockets of both Democrats and Republicans e) Democrats dominate elections in Dallas County
b) Cities in Texas are dominated by third parties
Which minority group is the fastest growing in Texas a) African Americans b) Latinos c) Asian Americans d) Native Americans e) All are growing equally
b) Latinos
The process by which political parties become more distant from each other in terms of ideology is a) partisan convergence b) partisan polarization c) partisan conventions d) partisan equilibrium e) partisan deliverance
b) Partisan Polarization
Providing a label that helps voters identify those seeking office is an important function of a) the state b) political parties c) interest groups d) regional and sub regional governments e) the president
b) Political Parties
Presidential Republicanism refers to which of the following a) Texans voting for Republican local candidates b) Texans voting for Republican presidents and Democrats for state offices c) Texans voting for republican presidents and Republicans for state offices d) Texans voting for Democratic local candidates e) Texans voting for third-party candidates at all levels
b) Texans voting for Republican presidents and Democrats for state offices
Prior to running for re-election as a lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst unsuccessfully ran for which office a) state senate b) U.S. senate c) U.S. House of Representatives d) governor e) attorney general
b) U.S. senate
Capture theory refers to the idea that a) interest groups are controlled by politicians b) through long term relationships, government interests come to serve the objectives of an interest group c) politicians work for the public good by controlling special interests d) labor unions are controlled by business e) business interests are captured by labor unions
b) through long term relationships, government interests come to serve the objectives of an interest group
One of the most important grass root tactics of interest groups is a) to gain support from all the mayors of town in a district b) to get out the vote c) to form political alliances with executive and legislative leaders d) to lobby the judicial branch of national and state government e)to interpret the needs of their members
b) to get out the vote
The "8F Crowd" a) was a group of legislators who failed the eighth grade b) was a group of extremely wealthy Texans who met in suite 8F of the Lamar hotel in Houston and controlled Texas politics for 40 years c) were 25 legislators who boycotted the eighth session of legislature in order to prevent the legislators from taking any action because it lacked a quorum d) was made up of eight lobbyists who were close friends of the governor e) were the eight most powerful officials in the state who met in Suite F of Austin State Office Building.
b) was a group of extremely wealthy Texans who met in suite 8F of the Lamar hotel in Houston and controlled Texas politics for 40 years
What year was the Texas Constitution amended to extend the terms (from two years to four years) for the governor and other major administrative officials? a. 1963 b. 1972 c. 2000 d. 2008
b. 1972
Making registration and voting in America easier has resulted in which of the following? a. An increase in voter turnout. b. A decrease in voter turnout. c. Voting turnout has remained the same. d. Effects not verifiable.
b. A decrease in voter turnout.
The chief lawyer for Texas is the a. Chief justice of the state supreme court. b. Attorney general. c. Secretary of state. d. State comptroller. e. Lieutenant governor.
b. Attorney general.
What is it technically called when a person who identifies with one political party opts to vote in the other party's primary to influence its outcome? a. Preventative voting b. Crossover voting c. Party busting voting d. This cannot be legally done in Texas.
b. Crossover voting
George W. Bush was the first Republican governor of Texas since Reconstruction. a. True b. False
b. False
The Texas governor has many formal powers, making him or her one of the United State's strongest chief executives. a. True b. False
b. False
The Texas governor has strong powers for granting clemency. a. True b. False
b. False
The attorney general in Texas is responsible for overseeing the registration of voters. a. True b. False
b. False
The governor of Texas currently serves a two-year term in office. a. True b. False
b. False
The governor of Texas has a. Strong formal powers granted by the Texas Constitution. b. Few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States. c. The power to appoint all of the other officials in the executive branch. d. The power to appoint all state judges. e. An average amount of power compared to governors of other states.
b. Few formal powers, so the office is one of the weakest chief executives in the United States.
Which of the following is not part of the new media? a. Cable b. Major traditional networks c. Talk radio/podcasts d. Websites
b. Major traditional networks
Supporters of the major political parties support the use of which ballot? a. Office-block ballot b. Party-column ballot c. Massachusetts ballot d. They do not have a preference.
b. Party-column ballot
Which of the following statement is not true?
b. The Democrats almost recaptured the Senate of Texas Legislature in 2008.
In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor? a. The secretary of state b. The lieutenant governor c. The Speaker of the state House of Representatives d. The comptroller of public accounts e. A temporary replacement appointed by the lieutenant governor
b. The lieutenant governor
In the case Carrington v. Rash, the courts decided that a. property ownership was unnecessary for revenue bond elections. b. members of the military could enjoy the full rights of suffrage in Texas. c. efforts to deny African Americans access to the primaries would be overturned. d. annual registration was prohibited.
b. members of the military could enjoy the full rights of suffrage in Texas.
New political parties in Texas must complete all of the following requirements to get their candidates on the general election ballot except a. hold a convention. b. must file with the secretary of state a list of supporters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor in the last general election. c. show that persons listed as supporters have not participated in the activities (primaries or conventions) of either of the two major political parties. d. have each page of their nominating petitions notarized.
b. must file with the secretary of state a list of supporters equal to 1% of the total vote for governor in the last general election.
The primary election is held to determine who will
be the party's nominee in the general election.
In recent years, federal court appointments have
been characterized by intense partisan and ideological efforts to support or defeat the candidate.
When did the US have a confederal form of government?
before 1789
Which of the following is not a requirement to vote in Texas?
being a natural born citizen of the U.S.
In modern-day Texas, control of state government
belongs to the Republicans.
The cost for a closely contested race for the Texas Senate could run
between one million to two million dollars.
The written document in which attorneys explain why the court should rule in favor of their client is called a(n)
brief
When interest groups involved in litigation pursue a pattern of cases, they are
bringing the same type of suit into multiple circuits, hoping that a contradiction in rulings will bring about a Supreme Court review.
Political Action Committees (PACs) are organizations established
by corporations, labor unions, or interest groups to channel the contributions of their members into political campaigns.
What strategy is used in election campaigns in which candidates attack opponents' issue positions or character? a. Timing b. Education c. Negative campaigning d. Campaigning
c. Negative campaigning
What type of primary allows a voter to choose on Election Day which primary they will participate? a. Closed primary b. Semiclosed-primary c. Open-primary d. Cross over voting primary
c. Open-primary
Which state office was eliminated in 1996? a. Attorney general b. Animal commissioner c. State treasurer d. Sheriff e. Roads and highways commissioner
c. State treasurer
According to Laura K. De La Cruz, which event was instrumental to the shift to the new media? a. The F.C.C. strengthening the fairness doctrine b. The F.C.C. strengthening of the equal time doctrine c. The F.C.C. eliminating of the fairness doctrine d. A decrease in media sources
c. The F.C.C. eliminating of the fairness doctrine
In presidential election years, which of the following offices is not on the Texas ballot? a. The entire Texas House b. One-half of the Texas Senate c. The Texas Governor d. The entire Texas delegation to the U.S. House
c. The Texas Governor
Which of the following statements about voters is incorrect? a. The more education an individual has, the more likely the individual is to vote. b. A person who has a strong interest in politics is more likely to vote. c. The younger an individual is, the more likely that individual is to vote. d. Identification with either major political party makes a person more likely to vote.
c. The younger an individual is, the more likely that individual is to vote.
General elections in Texas are held on the a. Tuesday after the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. b. Monday after the first Tuesday in November of odd-numbered years. c. Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. d. Monday after the first Tuesday in November of even-numbered years.
c. Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
Which is not a form of political participation? a. Writing letters to local representatives b. Distributing campaign literature c. Watching political news shows d. Voting in elections
c. Watching political news shows
One can vote early in Texas elections under which of the following conditions? a. Only if you will be out of town on day of the election b. Only if illness prevents you from going to your voting precinct. c. You can vote early for any reason. d. Only with the approval of the county election judge
c. You can vote early for any reason.
Texas' political culture can best be described as a. traditionalistic. b. a mix of traditionalistic and moralistic. c. a mix of traditionalistic and individualistic. d. individualistic.
c. a mix of traditionalistic and individualistic.
To win the general election, a candidate must win with __________ of the votes. a. an absolute majority c. a plurality b. two-thirds d. a simple majority
c. a plurality
Smith v. Allwright a. banned Asians from voting. b. banned Native Americans from voting. c. banned the use of White primaries, d. banned women from voting.
c. banned the use of White primaries,
The duties of the secretary of state include all of the following except a. disbursing funds to the state and county executive committee to pay for the primary elections. b. keeping election records, both party and governmental. c. enacting legislation and voting guidelines. d. sitting on the board that canvasses election returns for state and district offices.
c. enacting legislation and voting guidelines.
The Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave a. women the right to vote only in state primaries. b. women the right to register only in state general elections. c. full suffrage to women in Texas. d. women the right to vote only in bond elections
c. full suffrage to women in Texas.
A number of Texas counties introduced electronic voting in the 2002 midterm election because a. too many Republicans were winning statewide offices. b. a number of lawsuits were filed by Democrats. c. of the possibility of similar problems that occurred in Florida during the 2000 election. d. too many candidates were requesting recounts.
c. of the possibility of similar problems that occurred in Florida during the 2000 election.
All PACs must be registered with the a. comptroller of public accounts. b. attorney general. c. secretary of state. d. speaker of the house.
c. secretary of state.
The Terrell Election Law enabled political party members to a. hold caucuses to select political party nominees. b. select candidates using political conventions. c. select political party nominees by allowing a direct primaries. d. allow state senators to select political party nominees.
c. select political party nominees by allowing a direct primaries.
Money spent by political parties on behalf of political candidates, especially for the purposes of increasing voter registration and turnout is called a. independent expenditure. b. PAC money. c. soft money. d. hard money.
c. soft money.
Candidates spend most of their "on the stump" time in _________, though stumping alone, nowadays, does not get a candidate elected. a. rural areas in the state. c. urban and suburban areas in the state. b. suburban areas in the state. d. rural and suburban areas in the state.
c. urban and suburban areas in the state.
Which is not a characteristic of a special legislative session?
can be held only in odd-numbered years
All of the following are modern-day tactics from preventing certain groups from voting except
canceling an election at the last minute.
In Texas elections, the ____ play(s) he largest role in running campaigns.
candidates
Name recognition often gives ______ a distinct advantage in Texas elections.
candidates.
A(n) ______ case is one that calls for the death penalty.
capital
All of the following are part of the official jurisdiction of the federal courts except
cases involving citizens from the same state.
Concurrent Jurisdiction
cases that fall under both state and federal jurisdiction
Early Voting allows voters to ______ during the 2-week period BEFORE a regulatory scheduled election.
cast ballots
Exercising the message power and the session power are among the Texas governor's responsibilities in his or her role as
chief legislator.
Participation in parades, ribbon-cuttings, or other ceremonial occasions may be required of the governor in his or her role as
chief of state.
Who or what initiates the process that ultimately gets a ballot initiative onto the ballot for a popular vote?
citizens
What types of cases does the Texas Supreme Court hear?
civil appeals
What types of cases does the Texas supreme court hear?
civil appeals
________________ involves disputes between individuals and/or businesses over relationships, obligations, or responsibility, with the remedy usually being monetary compensation.
civil law
Disputes between private individuals over their relationships, responsibilities, and obligations are the topic of
civil law.
state court system
civil or criminal courts in which cases are decided through an adversarial process; typically including a court of last resort, an appellate court, trial courts, and lower courts
Litigation was practiced extensively by ____________________________ interest groups in the 1950s and 1960s.
civil rights and environmental
The primary system in Texas requires voters to declare party affiliation before the election. This is known as a(n) _________ system.
closed primary
Almost one-half of the attorney general's employees are involved in what government task?
collecting child-support payments
The power to declare martial law in the state is one of the Texas governor's powers as
commander in chief/top cop.
The backbone of the legislative process is the
committee system
When a lawyer charges a client only if the case is won, it is called a
contingent fee.
Minor parties select candidates by use of
convention.
The Texas governor has all of the following legislative powers EXCEPT the power to a. Address the legislature in State of the State speeches. b. Sing and veto bills. c. Call special sessions. d. Break tie votes in the senate. e. Lobby the legislature on important bills.
d. Break tie votes in the senate.
Which of the following is not an argument put forward by those opposed to the voter ID law? a. Voter ID is a solution to a problem that does not exist. b. There is no real evidence of people impersonating other voters in Texas. c. It would have a big impact on legitimate voters who do not have a driver's license. d. It would only an advantage to minorities.
d. It would only an advantage to minorities.
Which of the following is not a demographic variable that affects turnout at the polls? a. Education b. Income c. only God knows d. Residency
d. Residency
The primary enforcement of regulations of state campaign laws is the responsibility of the a. secretary of state. c. political parties. b. governor. d. Texas Ethics Commission.
d. Texas Ethics Commission.
Which of the following statements about Texas elections is incorrect? a. Getting off an election ballot can be as difficult as getting on. b. For any party that received at least 5 percent of the vote for any statewide office in the previous general election, the full slate of candidates is placed on the ballot automatically. c. Write-in candidates are not listed on the ballot. d. The process of gaining access to the ballot by third parties is simple in Texas.
d. The process of gaining access to the ballot by third parties is simple in Texas.
The chief election officer of the state is the a. registrar of voters. c. speaker of the house. b. comptroller of public accounts. d. secretary of state.
d. secretary of state.
Texas required individuals to pay a poll tax to vote in state elections until it was declared unconstitutional by a. the Twenty-fourth amendment. b. the decision in the case Nixon v. Condon. c. the Twenty-third amendment. d. the decision in the case United States v. Texas.
d. the decision in the case United States v. Texas.
In a traditionalistic political culture, politics is a. the product of the Puritan era. b. viewed as the same as the business culture. c. a process in which business interests play a very strong role. d. the process of maintaining the existing social and economic order.
d. the process of maintaining the existing social and economic order.
What is the significance of the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright?
decided that the white primary did involve unconstitutional state action.
Partisan ties in the United States have __________ in recent years.
declined
General Elections
determine who will be nominated for an elected office.
Cloture is a
device to halt a filibuster.
The political party and politically-oriented interest group
differ because political parties try to win elections while interest groups' main goals are to influence government decisions.
Which of he following is not a type of election found in Texas?
distinguished
What did "Bo" Pilgrim do in 1989?
distribute $10,000 checks to state senators .
In district courts, the state is represented in criminal cases by the _______________
district attorney
The state courts that handle trials involving criminal or civil matters are the ______________
district courts
Trial courts in the federal judicial system are called
district courts
The main trial courts in Texas are called
district courts.
The most formidable power(s) that the governor has with regard to the state budget is his ability to:
do all of the above
Midterm elections are congressional elections that
do not coincide with a presidential election.
The Texas Constitution calls for legislative redistricting
during the first regular session after the federal decennial census.
The most important thing interest groups need to be effective is a) the support of a majority of Texans b) office space in Austin c) a variety of issues on which to lobby d) a large, paid staff e) access to politicians
e) access to politicians
Interest groups have an advantage over individuals in influencing policy because interest groups usually have a) more time to influence officials b) greater expertise than individuals c) more money to influence elections d) more staff e) all of the above
e) all of the above
PACs are used to a) stir the public's interest in politics b) raise money from individuals, which is then bundled and given to candidates c) create media campaigns to influence the course of the government d) create grass root campaigns e) all of the above
e) all of the above
Interest groups provide public officials with all the following except a) information b) money c) media coverage d) votes e) committee assignments
e) committee assignments
The goals of interest groups include all of the following except a) electing people to office in order to support the groups goals b) influencing those who control government c) educating the public and members about issues of importance to the group d) providing campaign for favored candidates e) maintaining a heterogeneous membership
e) maintaining a heterogeneous membership
The purpose of a general election is to
elect officials for public offices.
The Speaker of the House in Texas is
elected by the members of the House of Representatives at the beginning of each session.
exas judges, with the exception of municipal judges, are ________________
elected in partisan elections
primary elections
elections held to select a party's candidate for the general election (page 372)
The periodic episodes in American history in which an "old" dominant political party is replaced by a "new" dominant political party are called...
electoral realignments
When all of the justices on the Supreme Court are hearing a case, they are said to be sitting
en banc
The chief function of legislature in the United States is to:
enact public policy.
Legislators in Texas come from districts that are:
equal in population size in both the House and Senate.
The Supreme Court ruled in 1960 that all districts within a state must have:
equal number of people
The federal courts have established ____ as a critical factor in establishing the boundaries of legislative districts.
equal populations
Public opinion is highly variable based on ______.
ethnicity
The Texas Legislature meets in regular session:
every other year for 140 days.
How frequently and for how long does the Texas legislature meet in regular session
every other year for a 140 days
The right of due process is best described as the right of
every person not to be treated arbitrarily by a government official or agency.
Redistricting in Texas occurs
every ten years.
Regular sessions of the Texas Legislature occur
every two years for a four-month period.
When intraparty disputes split members into different groups, these groups are referred to as
factions
A typical texas legislature is likely to be a working class latina
false
All 18 judges and justices on Texas' highest courts are democrats
false
All Texas gubernatorial candidates must be born in texas
false
All criminal and civil cases are appealed in Texas to the texas supreme court
false
Ann Richards was the First and the last ever woman governor of texas
false
In Texas, the Senate impeaces officials and the House tries them
false
Plea bargaining is not allow in criminal trials in Texas
false
Texas death penalty cases are automatically appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court
false
Texas governor appoints replacement judges to the county courts
false
The speaker of the house of the texas legislature is chosen by the governor
false
The texas governor appoints the attorney general and secretary of state
false, only the secretary of state
Litigation can be a form of participation in which people
file lawsuits in order to change public policies.
An effort to force the withdrawal of a controversial bill through the use of the unlimited privileges of debate in the Senate is called a
filibuster.
Which of the following is a function of special elections?
fill vacancies in elected offices
Leading the concept of ______, Iowa and New Hampshire play a disproportionate role in selecting presidential candidates because they are the first states to cast votes.
front-loading
The Texas State Board of Education is responsible for all of the following except
funding public school districts.
Reasons that interest groups are useful to politicians?
gain info on their special concerns, provide campaign funds,help raise money from its membership for a candidate,supply votes to the policy maker.
Primary elections are held to select a party's candidate for the _______ election.
general
The ______ election decides who is elected to an office.
general
The ____________ election decides who is elected to an office among the nominees of the parties.
general
State legislators routinely seek to influence electoral outcomes by manipulating the organization of electoral districts. This strategy is called
gerrymandering.
The process of drawing boundaries of electoral districts in such a way that one party or faction has an advantage over another is called
gerrymandering.
Activist judges believe that the courts should
go beyond the words of a constitution or statute to consider the broader societal implications of its decisions.
When the Texas governor calls for a special session of the legislature, the agenda for the session is set by the
governor.
A ________________ consists of twelve persons who serve for two to six months and who determine whether the state has enough evidence to support the issuance of an indictment.
grand jury
A(n) ______ determines whether sufficient evidence is available to justify a trial.
grand jury
Prisoners who are challenging their conviction are most likely to file a writ of
habeas corpus
In recent years, the legislature in Texas
has become more urban and more Republican.
The requirement of standing means that parties in a case must
have a concrete injury or interest at stake
Individuals are most likely to successfully lobby government when they
have a persistent, well-rounded argument and when tragedies happen and are able to use as advantage.
Since the constitutional amendment extending the governor's term of office from two years to four years went into effect, gubernatorial elections in Texas
have always been held in the off-year from presidential elections.
How did George Wallace do when he ran as an American Independent Party candidate?
he lost and won no electoral votes
Which of the following organizations would be most likely to help a member of the Texas House draft a bill in proper legislative language?
house Research Organization(HRO)
. A party united by a single principle or a narrowly defined set of principles is said to be a/an
ideological political party.
What is the ultimate check on the governor?
impeachment
The governor of Texas can be removed from office by:
impeachment by the House and conviction by two-thirds of the Senate.
Texas has ______ laws dealing with lobbying by former government officials.
imposed additional lobbying reporting requirements and restrictions.
George Wallace ran for president
in both 1964 and 1968
If someone is an advocate of judicial restraint, he or she believes
in looking only at the words of the constitution in determining its meaning
After the end of the legislative session, the governor's veto is:
in practice absolute.
The effect of the Motor Voter Law has been to
increase the number of individuals registered to vote.
The ____ is a candidate running for re-election to a position that he or she already holds.
incumbent
As in the U.S. Congress, most campaign contributions in Texas go to
incumbents
As in the U.S. Congress, most campaign contributiuons inTexas go to
incumbents
Name recognition often gives _____ a distinct advantage in Texas elections.
incumbents
Which PACs spend the least amount of money in Texas elections?
incumbents**
In MOST congressional elections, ____ outspend ____.
incumbents, challengers
What was the Supreme Court's ruling in 1948 regarding restrictive covenants?
individuals had the right to discriminate in private contracts but courts could not enforce these contracts
The ultimate goal of any political interest group is to
influence public policy for the benefit of its members.
In attempting to influence the legislature, one of the most important resources lobbyists have available is
information.
The process by which voters can place an issue on the ballot and if approved, have it become law is called
initiative
A legislative committee which meets when the legislature is not in session to consider proposed legislation is:
interim committee.
The lieutenant governor is considered one of the most powerful officeholders in state government for all but one of the following reasons because he or she
is a member of the governor's cabinet
The Calendars Committee
is selective and determines which bills will go to the floor for a vote.
When individuals or interest groups take out ads concerning a campaign issue but do not tie them directly to any particular candidate, it is called
issue advocacy.
Arguments for a four-year term of office for the governor include all of the following except:
it guarantees Democratic control.
A party differs from an interest group in that
it takes on a lot of issues areas
The power of the governor in Texas to delete individual items from an appropriations bill without having to veto it in its entirety is known as the
item veto.
Through the exercise of ______, the Supreme Court has held actions or laws of the executive and legislative branches unconstitutional.
judicial review
TAKE HOME QUIZ: A court's legal authority to hear and decide a particular type of case is called __________________.
jurisdiction
The area of authority possessed by a court, in terms of either subject area or geography, is called its
jurisdiction.
The ____________________ courts have jurisdiction to hear class C misdemeanors and minor civil matters (e.g., small claims).
justice of the peace courts
Major benefit of party affiliation for a Texas candidate is the ________ it provides.
label
Speedy Trial Act of 1974
later amended, a law originally enacted to ensure compliance with the Sixth Amendment's provision for a speedy trial by requiring that a federal case be brought to trial no more than 100 days following the arrest
The dominant occupation among Texas legislators in 1991 was
law
What is common law?
law made by judges through their decisions, not through specific statutes
Public defenders
lawyers for defendants who cannot afford to hire one
Using the media for public appearances to gain support for programs and visiting disaster victims are aspects of the governor's role as
leader of the people.
Bankruptcy
legal process by which persons who cannot pay money they owe others can receive court protection and assistance in settling their financial problems
Americans with a high school diploma are ________ likely to donate than a person with a college diploma.
less
. All of these are factions within the Republican Party in Texas except
libertarian conservatives
In modern-day Texas, control of state government
lies solely in the hands of the Republicans.
If a governor dies or is incapacitated in office, he or she is replaced until the next general election by the
lieutenant governor
The presiding officer of the Texas Senate is the
lieutenant governor
TAKE HOME QUIZ: District judges serve for ________.
life
The Texas Judicial Campaign Fairness Act
limits the amount of campaign contributions a judicial candidate can receive from an individual donor.
Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election despite having
lost the popular vote.
Through which mechanism did party leaders in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries maintain their control?
machine politics
In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many cities and counties and even a few states have had such well-organized parties that they were called _________ and their leaders were called_________
machines; bosses.
The executive branch of Texas is divided into:
many elective and appointive offices.
The power of the Supreme Court to review state actions and legislation comes from
marbury v madison
Which of the following was not a case involving the Supreme Court overturning a state law?
marbury v madison
The speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is chosen by the
members of the House.
The original party system in the United States pitted the Federalists, supported by ______ against the Jeffersonian Republicans, supported by _______.
merchants; agrarian interests
What is it called when a blue-ribbon committee selects judicial nominees who are then appointed by the governor and must finally run for retention in office?
merit selection
The practice of thinly spreading the minority voters across the districts so that the minority candidate of choice cannot win in any of the legislative seats is a type of gerrymandering called _____________________.
minority vote dilution
Early voting in Texas has been shown to produce a
moderate increase in voter turnout.
soft money
money contributed directly to political parties for political activities that is not regulated by federal campaign spending laws
__________________ were created by the Texas legislature to have jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances and class C misdemeanors.
municipal courts
Each of the following has been a method by which the federal courts have expanded their power except
narrowing the discretionary authority of the president over foreign affairs and diplomacy.
Which of the following factors have studies indicated likely matters least in generating long-term support for a presidential candidate?
national debate performance
One of the campaign tactics that candidates, especially those with less money, resort to is
negative advertising
How many justices currently serve on the Supreme Court?
nine
_____________ percent of criminal defendants agree to plead guilty rather than go to trial.
ninety-seven
An individual is limited to how many terms in the Texas legislature?
no limit
In the case of Buckley v Valeo, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that
no limits can be placed on candidates' expenditure of their own funds, since such spending is considered free speech.
Which of the following is not a type of legislative committee?
nominal committee.
The process by which a party selects a single candidate to run for an elective office is defined as a...
nomination.
Special sessions of the Texas legislature are:
none of the above.
nonpartisan
nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation.
501(c)(4) committees
nonprofit groups that also engage in issue advocacy; under Section 501(c)(4) of the federal tax code, such a group may spend up to half its revenue for political purposes and donors do not have to be identified, hence the name dark money (page 395)
527 committees
nonprofit independent groups established specifically to receive and disburse funds to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates; named after Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, which defines and provides tax-exempt status for nonprofit advocacy groups (page 395)
527 committees are...
nonprofit independent groups that receive and disburse funds to influence elections.
527 committees
nonprofit independent groups that receive and disburse funds to influence the nomination, election, or defeat of candidates
The number of a state's electoral votes is determined by the
number of members it has in both houses of Congress.
In Texas, why are gubernatorial elections held in off years?
o that gubernatorial elections will not be influenced by a presidential election
Major state officials are elected in ________.
off years
General elections determine who is elected to ______.
office
Do younger or older people turnout to vote more?
older
Appropriations bills passed by the Texas legislature always take effect
on September 1.
Attorneys that represent plaintiffs in civil cases are generally paid _____________
on a contingency-fee basis
In Texas, the governor and the lieutenant governor are generally elected
on different tickets/ballots.
political parties
organized groups that attempt to influence the government by electing their members to important government offices
circuit courts
originally courts wherein judges traveled a circuit to hear appeals, now courts with several counties or districts in their jurisdiction; the federal court system contains 11 circuit courts of appeals (plus the District of Columbia and territories), which hear appeals from district courts
The key to Republican success is
pacifying its liberal wing??
third parties
parties that organize to compete against the two major American political parties
Redistricting is highly _____ .
partisan
Most judges in Texas gain office through
partisan election.
party activists
partisans who contribute time, energy, and effort to support their party and its candidates
What is the most important part of a judicial candidate's campaign in Texas?
party affiliation
A psychological tie to a political party is the definition of...
party identification.
The ___________ is a party document, written at a national convention, that contains party philosophy, principles, and positions on issues.
party platform
The presiding officers of the Legislature do not have the power to
permanently expel a member of his house
which model of federalism argues that policy arenas and political relationships cut across all levels of gov
picket-fence
The term used to describe the situation in which a committee refuses to release a bill which effectively kills the bill, is
pigeonhole.
The most common route to a criminal conviction is a(n)
plea bargain between the defendant and the state
The most common route to a criminal conviction is a(n)
plea bargain between the defendant and the state.
Citizens United permitted individuals and organizations to form committees, called ________, which can raise unlimited amounts of money to run political advertising.
political action committees
grassroots politics
political campaigns that operate at the local level, often using face-to-face communication to generate interest and momentum by citizens (page 376)
The practice of charging a fee in order to let a person register to vote is called
poll tax.
"Free media" during an electoral campaign refers to
positive news and feature coverage initiated by the media themselves.
Powers of the presiding officers of the Legislature do not include
power to control legislative salaries.
A "certiorari pool" describes the
practice by which Supreme Court law clerks work together to evaluate each petition.
Prior cases whose principles are used by judges to decide current cases are called
precedents.
The most local voting district is called the
precinct
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called
preclearance
The procedure by which certain states, such as Texas, are required to obtain approval every time they make changes to districts is called
preclearance.
ONLINE QUIZ: At which stage of the judicial process does the judge determine whether probable cause is sufficient against the accused to proceed to trial?
preliminary hearing
The assistant presiding officer of the Senate is the
president pro tempore
The electoral college is
presidential electors from each state who cast ballots for president and vice president.
Precedent
previous court rulings on a given legal question
The ______ was the only real election that mattered.
primary
When do voters select who will be the party's nominee in the general election?
primary election
white primary
primary election in which only white voters are eligible to participate
The election that determines a political party's nominees is a
primary election.
A bill that must originate in the House is
private bill
The Texas Medical Association is best described as what kind of interest group?
professional
These individuals have taken the place of the old-time party bosses who once controlled political campaigns.
professional political consultants
If a student chooses to remain registered to vote at his/her permanment address (i.e., his/her "home"), and wants to vote in an election that occurs on a day he/she has to be on campus for the whole time the polling place is open, that student must ....
properly request and complete an absentee ballot from the county where he/she is registered
Citizens basing their presidential choice by focusing on future behavior of candidate is called
prospective voting.
Marshals
provide security and police protection at federal courthouses
What is the function of EMILY's List?
provides early campaign contributions to female candidates.
The largest single expenditure for most political campaigns is
publicity.
On average, incumbents in the Texas House of Representatives are able to fund-raise ______ challengers.
raised 2 a half times the amount of money than the challengers.
Parties today are most important in the electoral process in...
recruiting and nominating candidates for office
Which of the following is the best example of direct democracy in practice in the United States today?
referendum
diversion program
removing a case from the criminal justice system, typically into another treatment program or modality
"Address" and "quo warranto proceedings" are both methods of
removing an official from office.
Under Contemporary Barriers to Voting, city council members are being elected at large rather than from a ______ member district.
single
Justice of the peace courts handle which kind of disputes?
small claims
In comparison with other state legislatures, the upper chamber in Texas is ____ than average and the lower chamber is ____ than
smaller/larger
In general, Democrats support...
social programs and regulation of businesses.
President Obama's first appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court was
sotomayor
The Voting Rights Act of 1965
sought to protect minorities in the registration and voting process.
Bills introduced in the House are referred to a committee by the
speaker
In the Texas House of Representatives, bills are referred to the proper committees by the
speaker.
A ___________ is an election to fill vacancies in elected offices.
special election
bail
surety (e.g., cash or paper bond) provided by a defendant to guarantee his or her return to court to answer to criminal charges
The best known and probably the largest of the organizations that currently comprise the "Christian Right" is
the Christian Coalition
After the Supreme Court decision that effectively reversed Florida's recount order in the Presidential election of 2000, Congress passed ______ in 2003, requiring states to introduce computerized voting systems.
the Help Americans Vote Act
The oldest of the Hispanic organizations in Texas, formed to combat discrimination against Mexican Americans, is
the League of United Latin American Citizen
Which is not a professional interest group?
the Moral Majority
The first factions to emerge among the Texas Democrats after Reconstruction were
the Redeemers
Cases between two or more states are originally heard by
the Supreme Court
The largest organization representing teachers in Texas is
the Texas State Teachers Association.
The elected institution that the Republicans captured with majority Republicans in 1996 was
the Texas Supreme Court.
Which of the following is not a traditional limitation on the power of the federal courts?
the ability of congress to reduce federal judges' salaries
policy making
the act of creating laws or setting standards to govern the activities of government; the U. S. Supreme Court, for example, has engaged in policy making in several areas, such as affirmative action, voting, and freedom of communication and expression
gerrymandering
the apportionment of voters in districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to one racial or ethnic group or political party (page 375)
The governor may exercise the item veto on which of the following
the appropriations bill
What was known as the court-packing plan?
the attempt by Franklin Roosevelt to add sympathetic justices to the Supreme Court in order to get New Deal laws upheld as constitutional
jurisdiction, court
the authority of a court to hear a particular type of case, based on geography (city, state, or federal) and subject matter (e.g., criminal, civil, probate)
Appellate Jurisdiction
the authority of some courts to review decisions made by lower courts
When there is a presidential election and the Consumer Confidence Index has a score of over 100, then
the candidate of the party in power is likely to win.
Judicial Restraint
the concept that a judge should interpret the Constitution according to the Framers' original intentions
Judicial Activism
the concept that the Constitution should be interpreted more broadly, as an evolving document, something that subsequent generations can interpret consistent with changing values and circumstances
divided government
the condition in American government wherein the presidency is controlled by one party while the opposing party controls one or both houses of Congress
Which of the following is not determined at a party's national convention?
the congressional committees party representatives will be assigned to
The jurisdiction of each federal court is derived from
the constitution and federal law
Which court in Texas has automatic jurisdiction over all death penalty cases?
the court of criminal appeals
Which of the following is not a specialized "legislative court" created by Congress?
the court of federal territories
U.S. Supreme Court
the court of last resort in the United States, also the highest appellate court; it consists of nine justices who are appointed for life
Original Jurisdiction
the court that first hears the case
Original jurisdiction refers to
the court with the authority to hear a case first.
Who is the incumbent?
the current officeholder, running for re-election
The authors of the textbook argue that one of the major factors responsible for the relatively low rates of voter turnout that characterize U.S. national elections is...
the decline of political parties.
If an individual is arrested because their home was searched by police without a legal warrant, they could argue in court that they had been denied
the due process of law
General elections are held
the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years.
In the United States, national elections occur on fixed dates, with presidential elections occurring every four years, and Congressional elections every two years, and both occurring on
the first Tuesday of November.
party organization
the formal structure of a political party, including its leadership, election committees, active members, and paid staff
Federal court system
the four-tiered federal system that includes supreme courts, circuit courts of appeal, district courts, and magistrate courts
In 2010 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that
the government cannot restrict independent expenditures by corporations or unions to political campaigns.
A writ of habeas corpus declares that
the government must show a legal cause for holding someone in detention.
The main reason Texas' executive branch power is fragmented is because:
the governor has extensive important appointive power
The line item veto is
the governor's removal of specific spending items from general appropriations bills only
Which of the following was not seen as an important cause of dealignment?
the greater reliance of political parties on soft money
court of last resort
the last court that may hear a case at the state or federal level
Which of the following best describes the role of the solicitor general?
the lawyer who represents the United States before the Supreme Court in cases where the federal government is a party
The Texas governor's veto power is absolute when
the legislature adjourns prior to the exercise of the veto.
In Texas, if a sitting governor is unable to hold office due to impeachment and conviction, resignation, or death, who becomes governor?
the lieutenant governor
Until recent years at least, ____________ have been the principal agents responsible for giving citizens the motivation and incentive to vote.
the major parties
Duverger's Law states that
the observation that in a single-member district system of electing rep., a 2 party sys. will emerge.
majority party
the party that holds the majority of legislative seats in either the House of the Senate
The Speaker of the House is actually selected by...
the party that holds the majority of seats in the House.
minority party
the party that holds the minority of legislative seats in either the House or the Senate
Defendant
the person against whom the complaint is filed
electoral realignment
the point in history when a new party supplants the ruling party, becoming in turn the dominant political force.
What is the Texas governor's most significant executive power?
the power of appointment
What is the most significant and far-reaching of the Texas governor's powers?
the power to appoint boards and commissions
What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power?
the power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts
What is the Texas governor's greatest judicial power? Question 3 options: the power to appoint judges to appeals courts, with the senate's consent the power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts the power to restrict the types of cases the appeals courts may decide the power to remove judges the power to appoint all judges in the state
the power to appoint judges to vacancies in the courts
referendum
the practice of referring a proposed law passed by a legislature to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection (page 381)
electoral college
the presidential electors from each state who meet after the general election to cast ballots for president and vice president (page 379)
Chairpersons of committees in the Texas legislature are selected by
the presiding officers
Members of conference committees in Texas are selected by
the presiding officers
redistricting
the process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives in the Texas House, Texas Senate, and U.S. House. This usually happens every 10 years to reflect shifts in population or in response to legal challenges in existing districts
redistricting
the process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives; this happens every 10 years, to reflect shifts in population or in response to legal challenges in existing districts (page 374)
nomination
the process through which political parties select their candidates for election to public office
patronage
the resources available to higher officials, usually appointments to offices and to confer grants, licenses, or special favors to supporters
What was the goal of the women's suffrage movement?
the right to vote
Which of the following features of the committee system are determined by the whole membership of each house of Congress rather than by decisions withing each party?
the rules defining the jurisdiction of each committee
In Texas, which officer in the plural executive is not elected by voters?
the secretary of state
Exclusive jurisdiction
the sole right to hear a case
Aside from the justices themselves, who or what has the greatest power in shaping the flow of cases to the Supreme Court?
the solicitor general
dual court system
the state and federal court systems of the United States
General elections are administered and funded by
the state government.
What did the framers call the "least dangerous branch"?
the supreme court
Briefs
the trial court record and written arguments
14; 80
there are ____ courts of appeals in Texas, with ____ justices serving those courts.
In regard to standing committees in the Texas Legislature
they are found in both houses.
if the fed fov has primary responsibility for immigration policy, why did Alabama and Arizona recently enact laws designed to discourage illegal immigra
they felt the nat gov was not effectively securing the border
dissenting opinions
those opinions that are held by the minority of the justices who do not agree with the ruling in the case
which governments are most likely to be successful in receiving competitive grants from the fed gov
those that devote large amounts of staff resources to pursing grants
What are the benefits an interest group has over private citizens?
time, money, expertise, and continuity.
What is the primary task of the Texas secretary of state? Question 4 options: to oversee the state's foreign, economic, and diplomatic policy to handle elections and voter registration to collect child-support payments to coordinate and plan projects in conjunction with the federal government to oversee the state's economic interactions with other states
to handle elections and voter registration
What is the most important function of the Texas governor's staff?
to keep the governor informed about problems and issues
What is the most important type of case that the Texas Supreme Court handles?
tort laws
According to political scientist Daniel Elazar, Texas's political culture is traditionalist and
traditionalistic and individualistic.
The majority of cases in municipal courts involve
traffic and parking violations
The majority of cases in municipal courts involve
traffic and parking violations.
district courts
trial courts at the county, state, or federal level with general and original jurisdiction
ONLINE QUIZ: How do we refer to the trial courts that typically handle misdemeanors and the preliminary stages of felony offenses?
trial courts of general jurisdiction
TAKE HOME QUIZ: All of the steps in the adjudicatory process are called _________________.
trial process
. Turnout is the key to future Democratic Party success in Texas.
true
Jury determinations of guilt must be by unanimous vote in felony cases
true
Legislative districts in the Texas House and Senate are single-member disticts
true
Misdemeanor = minor criminal act mostly punishable by fine or short term jail term.
true
Resolutions are statements that express the party's stance on an issue
true
Texas law prohibits a person from running for two offices at the same time unless one is U.S. senator and the other is president or vice president of the United States.
true
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles makes decision to grant parole
true
The Texas lieutenant governor is also president of the senate
true
The main trial courts in Texas are the district courts
true
The texas governor can declare martial law during a natural disaster
true
in texas legislature the house has 150 members the senate has 31
true
What can lobbyists do?
try to gain access to policy makers and communicate their objectives to them.
Historically, the United States has always been a ____________-party system.
two
How many years was the term of office for governor prior to the adoption of a constitutional amendment in 1972?
two
How long is the early voting period in Texas?
two weeks
Before Texas' constitution was amended, the governor was elected for:
two year terms with no limit on the number of terms.
Poll tax was rendered ______ in state elections by the Supreme Court in 1966.
unconstitutional
The selection of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is:
usually completed unofficially before the first meeting of the legislature.
In practice, a veto by the governor of Texas is:
usually final.
Debate in the Texas House of Representatives is:
usually for a short period of minutes.
Suffrage and franchise are other words for the right to
vote
What effect did Wallace's candidacy as a third party candidate have on the two major parties in the South?
voters who supported him ended up leaving the Democratic party and moving to the Republican party, and as a result the Republican party gained strength in the South
prospective voting
voting based on the imagined future performance of a candidate or political party (page 398)
retrospective voting
voting based on the past performance of a candidate or political party (page 398)
Compared with political parties in Europe, parties in the United States have always seemed...
weak.
Do wealthier or poorer people tend to turnout to vote more?
wealthier
Sovereign immunity
when a sovereign nation is immune from being sued unless it agrees to be sued
Historically, when to realignments occur?
when large numbers of voters permanently shift their support from one party to another
Those who traditionally supported the Democratic Party in Texas include all but
white collar workers.
The mass exodus of more affluent whites from urban areas to suburban areas is sometimes referred to as
white flight
Which demographic group has the largest percentage share of voters in Texas?
whites
Most national campaigns in America are conducted through which kind of politics?
wholesale
Statutory probate courts are given jurisdiction to hear cases arising out of disputes concerning ________________
wills and estate law
Most cases reach the Supreme Court through the
writ of certiorari
Most cases reach the Supreme Court through the
writ of certiorari.
Can a Governor pass a bill without his signature and if so, why would he do this?
• A governor may let a bill pass without signature to appease all parties.
What are the Governor's Judicial Powers?
• Appointment Powers • Clemency Powers
What are the Governor's Budgetary Powers?
• Line Item Veto • Budget Creation
What are the Governor's Informal Powers?
• Partisan Leader • Persuasive Power • Congressional Liaison • International Relations • Leadership Style
What is the Message Power?
• Texas Constitution requires that the governor address the Legislature on the condition of Texas. (State of the State address). • This is done at the beginning of each legislative session. • The governor will present his agenda.
What is the Budget Creation Power specifically?
• Texas is one of eight states where the governor shares budget creation power with the legislature. • Mostly the Legislative Budget Board controls the budget creation.
What is the Clemency Power?
• The governor can make recommendations to the Board of Pardons and Paroles. • The governor can approve or reject the boards recommendation or pardon or sentence reduction. • The governor can grant a 30 day reprieve in death penalty cases. These are not granted often.
What are the Legislative Veto Powers of the Governor?
• The governor has 10 days, excluding Sundays, to decide whether to veto, sign, or let a bill become law without signature. (constitutional) • A lot of bills are passed at the end of regular session. The result is a veto will stand because it cannot go back to the legislature since regular session is over. No post-adjournment veto can be overridden. • In fact, if the time above extends beyond the end of session, the governor can hold the bill for an additional 20 days.
Can a line item veto be overriden by the Legislature?
• The legislature can override a line item veto but has not ever done so yet. • Appropriations bills are always passed at the end of session and thus subject to the post adjournment veto. Thus, the governor could literally line item veto money and save money on the overall budget.
What is the appointment power of the Governor for the Judiciary?
• We the citizens of Texas elect most of our judges. • The governor can make judicial appointments to fill vacancies at the district level or above. • The Senate must approve these appointments by 2/3 vote.
What role does the governor's staff play in Texas?
•Because Texas is such a large and diverse state, the governor needs lots of help. That is where his staff comes in. •The staff helps carry the work load of the governor and supports him in many important tasks.
What does it mean when it is said that the Governor is a Partisan Leader?
•Leader of his political party. Ex. Rick Perry is a Republican; therefore, he is the leader of the Republican party in Texas. •They often guide the agenda of the party and as the most visible member of the party, help promote the party's platform. •They must also be able to gain support from the public and other party leaders to help get their agendas passed.
What are the Governor's International Relations Powers?
•The governor also has the opportunity to be a representative for Texas in the arena of international relations and trade. •Latin America in particular is important to Texas trade and economics.
What does it mean when it is said that the Governor has Persuasive Power?
•The governor is often seen as the state's leader and representative. •The governor can impact things like the state's image, draw for business and industry, public opinion, appearing non-partisan and working across party lines.
What does it mean when it is said that the Governor is a Congressional Liaison for Texas?
•The governor is often the state's representative at the federal level (especially to Congress). •They often work to bring federal support and funding to Texas.
What is the Governor's Leadership Style under the Informal Powers category?
•The governor's leadership style can be either sit back and watch or very pro-active. It all depends on the person in office. •Pro-active governors obviously get more done and use their informal powers to their greatest advantage.
