Government Chapter 6

Though the States still have the power to set voting qualifications, the Constitution now places __________ restrictions on how States use that power.

five EXPLANATION: The Constitution requires States to allow citizens over the age of 18 of any race, ethnicity, or gender to vote.

Another word that means the same thing as suffrage is

franchise. EXPLANATION: Franchise and suffrage both mean the right to vote.

What is voter registration meant to prevent?

fraudulent voting EXPLANATION: Registration gives election officials a list of those persons who are qualified to vote in an election. Those who are not registered to vote, therefore, are not allowed to cast ballots.

Those who fought for suffrage were trying to

gain the right to vote. EXPLANATION: Suffrage refers to the right to vote.

Drawing a strangely-shaped voting district in order to limit the voting strength of a particular group is called

gerrymandering. EXPLANATION: Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district lines in such a way as to disenfranchise a particular group of voters.

Before the 1800s, common voting restrictions included everything EXCEPT

grandfather clauses. EXPLANATION: Prior to 1800, many States required voters to pass a religious test, own property, and be white males to be allowed to vote.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 used court __________ to force election officials to follow federal voting rights laws.

injunctions EXPLANATION: An injunction is a court order that compels or restrains the performance of some act by a private individual or by a public official.

What are two methods many States used to try to prevent African Americans from voting?

literacy tests and poll taxes EXPLANATION: States are now prohibited from using these methods.

People who go to the polls but do not cast a vote in every race on the ballot are called

nonvoting voters. EXPLANATION: The farther down the ballot an office is, the fewer the number of votes that will be cast for it. This is called "ballot fatigue."

What is literacy?

the ability to read and write EXPLANATION: Until Congress banned literacy as a suffrage qualification in 1970, many States required voters to be able to read and write.

What is the gender gap?

the difference between the partisan choices of men and women EXPLANATION: In past elections, women have tended to favor Democrats more than men have.

The electorate is

the potential voting population. EXPLANATION: The American electorate has grown steadily in size since the 1700s as more and more groups have been given the right to vote.

Passed after the Civil War, the __________ Amendment was intended to protect any citizen from being denied the right to vote because of race or color.

15th EXPLANATION: The 15th Amendment was intended to give African Americans the right to vote, but in reality most were prevented from doing so for many more decades.

The __________ Amendment granted women the right to vote.

19th EXPLANATION: Ratified in 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote because of sex.

Those who said "old enough to fight, old enough to vote" supported the ratification of the __________ Amendment, which provides that no State can set the minimum age for voting at more than 18 years of age.

26th EXPLANATION: One could enlist in the military and fight for one's country at age 18, so many people believed anyone age 18 or older should also be allowed to vote.

The 15th Amendment granted __________ the right to vote.

African American men EXPLANATION: The 15th Amendment was intended to prevent any American from being denied the right to vote because of race or color. In reality, this was not enforced until many decades later.

__________ is the phenomenon in which the farther down the ballot an office is, the fewer the number of votes that will be cast for it.

Ballot fatigue EXPLANATION: Many voters who go to the polls fail to cast a vote for every office on the ballot, so they are known as "nonvoting voters."

The __________ created the Civil Rights Commission, which looks into claims of voter discrimination.

Civil Rights Act of 1957 EXPLANATION: This act was Congress's first attempt to enforce the 15th Amendment's guarantee that African Americans would be allowed to vote.

Why is low voter turnout in the United States a serious problem?

Democracy depends on as many people as possible being involved in the political process. EXPLANATION: More participation means that the people's will is more likely being fulfilled by elected officials.

A candidate running for office in a large city of the northeastern United States is more likely to win if he or she is a

Democrat. EXPLANATION: Democrats generally have strong support in the big cities of the North and East.

Which of the following is most likely evidence of a voter feeling strong party identification? A. He is a split-ticket voter. B. He is a straight-ticket voter. C. He regards himself as an independent. D. He never votes.

He is a straight-ticket voter. EXPLANATION: Voters who feel party identification are generally loyal to a particular political party and are therefore more likely to vote for all the candidates of that party on a ballot.

Why wasn't the 15th Amendment effective?

The Federal Government had no way to enforce it. EXPLANATION: The 15th Amendment granted African American men the right to vote, but it did not include a way to force States to allow them to vote.

Which law emphasized the use of court injunctions to force election officials to follow election laws?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 EXPLANATION: The use of injunctions gave the federal government more power to enforce voting laws, which made the Civil Rights Act of 1964 much more effective than the two previous civil rights acts.

Under the Constitution, the __________ has/have the power to set suffrage qualifications, but the __________ has/have taken on some of this power by placing five restrictions on voting rights.

States; Federal Government EXPLANATION: Though the States still have the power to set voting qualifications, the Constitution places five restrictions on how States use that power.

Which law set up the United States Civil Rights Commission?

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 EXPLANATION: The Civil Rights Commission inquires into claims of voter discrimination and reports its findings to Congress and the President.

How were poll taxes finally eliminated?

The Supreme Court found poll taxes to be unconstitutional. EXPLANATION: In Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections, the Court held the Virginia poll tax to be in conflict with the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.

Why do some people object to the registration requirement?

They believe it keeps many people from voting. EXPLANATION: Those who object to voter registration point out that voter turnout has historically been lower after registration requirements are put in place.

Why did many States at one time adopt literacy and poll tax requirements for voting?

They were attempting to discourage African Americans and immigrants from voting. EXPLANATION: Though the 15th Amendment granted people of all races and ethnicities the right to vote, many States found ways to keep African Americans and immigrants from voting.

What is the relationship between party identification and straight-ticket voting?

Those who are loyal to a particular political party are more likely to vote for all candidates of the same party on a ballot. EXPLANATION: Party identification produces loyalty to that party and consequently more straight-ticket voting for candidates of that party.

The __________ finally made the 15th Amendment a truly effective part of the Constitution. This Act is still being enforced and regularly amended today.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 EXPLANATION: This Act gave the Federal Government the ability to effectively enforce the 15th Amendment so that African Americans would finally be allowed to vote in every State.

The __________ and its amendments permanently banned poll taxes and literacy requirements.

Voting Rights Act of 1965 EXPLANATION: This act finally made the 15th Amendment an effective part of the Constitution by removing voting restrictions and enforcing voting rights.

Which of the following people is MOST likely to vote? A. an 18-year-old male who is a senior in a rural high school B. a 28-year-old waiter who did not complete high school C. a 79-year-old man who lives in a nursing home in the suburbs in the South D. a 40-year-old female doctor who lives in a large city in the northeast

a 40-year-old female doctor who lives in a large city in the northeast EXPLANATION: According to voting statistics, well-educated professionals above the age of 36 are the most likely people to vote.

Amendments to the Constitution that deal with voting rights have resulted in

a gradual shift in the power over voting rights from the States to the Federal Government. EXPLANATION: Originally, the States held most of the power to decide who could vote, but a series of Amendments to the Constitution have given the Federal Government more of that power.

Which of the following is an example of a transient? A. a non-citizen who attempts to vote B. a traveling salesperson staying temporarily in a State C. a poll book that is clogged with the names of people who can no longer vote D. an illiterate voter

a traveling salesperson staying temporarily in a State EXPLANATION: A transient is a person living in a State for only a short time. Transients are usually prohibited from voting in that State.

The "Motor Voter Law," which was passed by Congress in 1993, required every State but North Dakota to

allow all eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew a driver's license. EXPLANATION: The Motor Voter Law made it easier for people to register to vote.

What signs suggest that party identification has lost some of its impact in recent years?

an increase in split-ticket voting and voters who call themselves independents EXPLANATION: These trends indicate that people are becoming less likely to be completely loyal to either of the major parties.

By proving that it has not applied any voting procedures in a discriminatory way for at least 10 years, a State subject to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 can

be relieved from the provisions of the law. EXPLANATION: A State can "bail out" by showing a decade or more of compliance with the 1965 act.

How can a State or county "bail-out," or be removed from coverage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

by proving that it has not applied any voting procedures in a discriminatory way for at least 10 years EXPLANATION: States or counties can get relief from the restrictions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by complying with the law for at least 10 years.

What are the three universal requirements for voting in the United States today?

citizenship, residence, and age EXPLANATION: In order to vote, one must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the State in which one is voting, and be at least 18 years of age.

What are three requirements for voting in all States?

citizenship, residence, and age EXPLANATION: In order to vote, one must be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of the State in which one is voting, and be at least 18 years of age.

What is disenfranchisement?

depriving a person or group of voting rights EXPLANATION: Franchise means the right to vote, so disenfranchisement is denying voting rights.

Which of the following is an example of gerrymandering? A. white Democrats excluding African Americans from voting in a primary B. courts forcing election officials to allow African Americans to vote C. drawing a strangely-shaped voting district in order to limit the voting strength of African Americans D. the Department of Justice allowing new election laws

drawing a strangely-shaped voting district in order to limit the voting strength of African Americans EXPLANATION: One device that was often used to disenfranchise African American voters was drawing voting districts in such a way as to give white voters a majority, even in heavily African-American areas.

Which of the following is NOT one of the sources used to study voter behavior? A. the results of particular elections B. scientific polling data C. studies of political socialization D. numbers of "cannot-voters" per State

numbers of "cannot-voters" per State EXPLANATION: Those who are not allowed to vote do not figure into studies of voter behavior.

The congressional elections that are held in the even-numbered years between presidential elections are __________ elections.

off-year EXPLANATION: Typically, fewer voters turn out for elections during years that do not include a presidential election.

Which of the following is NOT a type of voting law that typically receives extremely close attention in the preclearance process? A. changing the location of polling places B. changing the boundaries of election districts C. changing deadlines in the election process D. opening primary elections to all voters

opening primary elections to all voters EXPLANATION: All of the other laws are possible warning signs that election officials might be trying to disenfranchise particular voters.

Which of the following is an example of political socialization? A. parents talking to their children about political candidates B. students driving to school each morning C. sleeping eight hours or more most nights D. working out at a gym to stay physically fit and healthy

parents talking to their children about political candidates EXPLANATION: Political socialization is the process by which people gain their political attitudes and opinions.

Political socialization is the process by which

people gain their political attitudes and opinions. EXPLANATION: Political socialization begins in early childhood and continues throughout a person's life.

People who feel their votes will not make a difference have no sense of

political efficacy. EXPLANATION: Those who lack a sense of political efficacy are unlikely to vote.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 required that all new election laws in certain States be given __________, or approval, by the Department of Justice.

preclearance EXPLANATION: Only laws that do not weaken the voting rights of minority groups can make it through the preclearance process, by which the Department of Justice approves new voting laws.

When election officials review the lists of registered voters and remove the names of those who are no longer eligible to vote, this is called

purging. EXPLANATION: If election officials do not regularly purge ineligible voters from their list of eligible voters, poll books become clogged and useless.

The 15th Amendment states that the right to vote cannot be denied to any citizen of the United States because of

race, color, or previous condition of servitude EXPLANATION: The 15th Amendment was intended to give African American men the right to vote, but it was not enforced until decades later.

Which of the following is NOT a reason why some States deny people the right to vote? A. residence in a mental institution B. a criminal record C. recent acquisition of U.S. citizenship D. a dishonorable discharge from the military

recent acquisition of U.S. citizenship EXPLANATION: The time passed since someone becomes a U.S. citizen does not affect his right to vote.

To reduce fraud, most States require voters to

register. EXPLANATION: Registration helps election officials keep track of who is eligible to vote.

The latest expansion of the electorate came in 1971 with the passage of the 26th Amendment, which states that no State can

set the minimum voting age at more than 18 years of age. EXPLANATION: Many people believed that if 18-year-olds could enlist in the military and fight for their country, they should be allowed to vote so that they could have a say in public policies—particularly those that affect the conduct of wars.

Those who worked to gain the franchise wanted

the right to vote. EXPLANATION: Franchise means the same thing as suffrage, which refers to the right to vote.

Why do election officials regularly purge their poll books?

to keep the list of eligible voters current EXPLANATION: Purging the poll books eliminates the names of people who are no longer eligible to vote in a district.

In 1993, Congress passed the "Motor Voter" law, which required every State but North Dakota to allow all eligible citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew a driver's license. What was the primary purpose of this law?

to make voter registration easier EXPLANATION: Since the passage of the "Motor Voter" law, voter registration has increased dramatically.

People who are most likely to regularly vote tend to be

well-educated and gainfully employed. EXPLANATION: High-income earners above age 35 who have a strong sense of political efficacy are more likely to vote than other groups.

When the Constitution went into effect in 1789, only __________ were allowed to vote in the United States.

white male property owners EXPLANATION: Very few people had the right to vote in the early years of the United States; only white male property owners could do so, which made the electorate very small.

The 19th Amendment granted __________ the right to vote.

women EXPLANATION: Women finally gained the right to vote in 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment.