GOVT EXAM 1- Chpt 1-5
What were some of the main principles behind the Texas Constitution of 1876?
- popular sovereignty - checks and balances - 3 different powers in the government which were a National, state, and local - limited government
How does Texas's mistrust of government and resistance to change manifest itself in the current constitution? How does this conflict with the political preferences for limited government?
-powers, terms, and salaries of the executive and legislative branches are strictly limited-political power is restrained by the people-long ballot (almost all positions in the state are elected and not appointed) This conflicts with the political preference for limited government because since the legislature is paid so little, only wealthy businessman can afford to be in it. This means that the average citizen isn't represented.
As of 2019, there were approximately ________ Latinos residing in Texas. 7.2 million 11.5 million 19 million 41 million
11.5 million
In what year was Texas's current constitution ratified? 1828 1869 1876 1888
1876
Article 4 of the Texas Constitution divides executive power among how many different offices? 3 4 6 7
6
Texas has operated under how many constitutions? 5 6 7 8
7
A defining characteristic of federalism is that A. rather than being held exclusively or primarily by one body, governing authority is divided at different levels between several bodies. B. the federal government wields ultimate authority in all matters. C. state governments can nullify the exercise of unpopular federal laws within their own states' boundaries. D. state governments exist primarily to enact laws established by the national government.
A
A system of government in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments is known as A. federalism. B. unitarianism. C. confederation. D. separation of powers.
A
According to the __________________, the U.S. Constitution takes precedence over the Texas Constitution. A. supremacy clause B. separation of powers clause C. necessary and proper clause D. delegate powers
A
According to the supremacy clause, found in Article VI of the U.S. Constitution, A. in a conflict between federal and state laws, federal laws take precedence and will override state laws. B. in the federal system established by the Constitution, the true source of sovereignty is Congress. C. federal laws will be supreme in the national sphere, and state laws will be supreme in local affairs. D. as a sovereign institution, the state government only needs to obey the limits that it establishes for itself.
A
After the Civil War, much of the area that had been part of the former Confederacy was under military occupation. This period is known as A. Reconstruction. B. Reintegration. C. Reabsorption. D. Reconstitution.
A
Although the Democratic Party dominated state politics for much of the twentieth century, by the 1950s it faced internal divisions between ________ and ________ Democrats. A. liberal; conservative B. moderate; liberal C. conservative; moderate D. Blue Dog Democrats; Yellow Dog
A
Among the grievances against the Mexican government listed in the Texas Declaration of Independence was A. the failure to provide a system of public education. B. the failure to provide a system of public transportation. C. the failure to provide a system of equal opportunity for all residents. D. the failure to provide a system of adequate infrastructure to meet the needs of the growing population.
A
As more women, minorities, and LGBTQ individuals gain influence in politics, A. aspects of provincialism are being challenged. B. the role of provincialism in political culture has not been affected. C. provincialism is no longer relevant. D. provincialism continues to have no role within political culture.
A
By focusing on influencing the Republican primary elections, the Tea Party movement in Texas is trying to A. get Tea Party-supported candidates on the ballot, but under the Republican party label. B. get the experience necessary to become a major party. C. split the vote among multiple candidates to force runoff elections. D. bypass state ballot access guidelines for third party candidates.
A
Conservative Democrats in Texas are also known as A. Blue Dog Democrats. B. Yellow Dog Democrats. C. Republicans. D. Libertarians.
A
Dallas developed in the late nineteenth century as a result of: A. the intersection of two railroad lines. B. the development of the Port of Dallas. C. the easy access to the Rio Grande River. D. the development of a large international airport.
A
Fort Bliss and the city of El Paso worked together to create the world's largest: A.) inland desalination plant. B.) single-site employer. C.) active-duty armored post. D.) military deployment center.
A
If Texas wanted to encourage the development of more third parties, what steps could it take? A. Replace the single member district, "first past the post" electoral system with one that uses proportional representation. B. Require voters to declare a party identification to participate in primary elections. C. Adopt an open primary method of selecting nominees for each party. D. Require that all parties develop an outreach plan for how they will attempt to appeal to voters.
A
If you travel from Texas to Kansas, your driver's license must be recognized as giving you the legal authorization to drive a car in Kansas due to which component of the U.S. Constitution? A. the full faith and credit clause B. the elastic clause C. the supremacy clause D. the public policy exception
A
If you were brought to the United States illegally by your parents when you were a young child, which policy protects you from deportation and allows you to work legally in the United States? A. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) B. Letting Children Stay and Work (LCSW) C. Protecting Vulnerable Arrivals (PVAS) D. Welcoming Immigrants Safely Home (WISH)
A
In 1923, the Texas Legislature established ____________________ to prohibit African Americans from voting in the Democratic primary. A. the White primary B. the Jaybird primary C. the poll tax D. early registration
A
In a "first past the post" electoral system, the winner of the election is A. whoever gets the plurality of the votes. B. whoever gets 50 percent + 1 of the votes. C. whoever receives two-thirds of the votes. D. whoever receives a verified majority of the votes.
A
In federalism, an individual citizen lives under the direct authority of which of the following? A. the central government and regional government B. the provincial government and subnational government C. the regional government and provincial government D. the national government and supranational government
A
In his landmark cases, Chief Justice John Marshall generally A. supported the authority of the federal government over that of state governments. B. enhanced the power of state governments over that of the federal government. C. maintained that the powers of the state and federal governments were identical and inseparable. D. reduced the power of the federal government while also reducing the power of the state governments.
A
In order to vote in Texas, you must meet which of the following requirements? A. be a resident of Texas, a U.S. citizen, and at least 18 years of age B. be a resident of Texas, a U.S. citizen, and at least 21 years of age C. be a resident of Texas, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., and at least 18 years of age D. own property in Texas, be a U.S. citizen, and be at least 18 years of age
A
In which 1989 court case did the Texas Supreme Court unanimously declare that the huge disparities between rich and poor school districts were unacceptable and order changes in the financing of Texas's public schools? A. Edgewood v. Kirby B. Harris v. Perry C. Carroll v. SAISD D. Rodriguez v. Edgewood
A
La Raza Unida Party was established in the mid-1960s in order to A. confront discriminatory practices that prevented Texas Latinos from participating in mainstream political and economic life. B. lobby the Texas legislature against the required use of voter ID. C. fight against the mandatory use of multilingual ballots. D. mandate that all school districts receiving state funding require multilingual education for all students.
A
One explanation for why laws and policies related to things like personal income taxes and alcohol sales are different in different states is: A.) the impact of political culture. B.) because of economic self-determination. C.) the tax laws D.) because of different opinions
A
Since the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, the Border region, including El Paso, McAllen, and Brownsville, has remained politically a ________ bastion. A.) Democratic Party B.) Republican Party C.) Tea Party D.) competitive two-party
A
Texas is often characterized as a "low tax, low social service" state. This is a result of: A.) the "traditionalistic individualistic" political culture in Texas. B.) the "moralistic" political culture in Texas. C.) the "Whataburger" effect, where people are accustomed to being able to customize all aspects of their lives and make decisions for themselves. D.) a push-back to high levels of governmental control under the Constitution of 1876.
A
Texas requires that everyone riding in a car must wear a seatbelt. This type of law to protect public health and safety is an example of the _____________ of the state. A. police power B. overreaching authority C. nanny-state behavior D. dual federalism
A
The 1819 McCulloch v. Maryland case ________ the powers of the federal government. A. expanded B. created C. reduced D. did not impact
A
The Constitution of 1869 created: A.) a strong governor's office. B.) strong local government. C.) a unicameral legislature. D.) the election of judges.
A
The Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas (1824) created a unicameral legislature. How is a unicameral legislature different from a bicameral legislature? A.) A unicameral legislature has one house or chamber, while a bicameral legislature has two houses or chambers. B.) A bicameral legislature has one house or chamber, while a unicameral legislature has at least two houses or chambers. C.) A unicameral legislature is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, while a bicameral legislature is presided over by the Speaker of the House. D.) A unicameral legislature is based on the idea of separation of powers, while a bicameral legislature is based on the idea of checks and balances.
A
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) focuses on A. monitoring changes in electoral law that may suppress the votes of minorities. B. providing legal support for Latino candidates for public office. C. getting out the vote of minority voters across Texas. D. providing information and voters guides to help voters make informed decisions.
A
The States' Rights Party, also known as the Dixiecrats, split with the national Democratic Party over which issue? A. racial integration B. military intervention in Vietnam C. education policy D. economic policy
A
The Texas Bill of Rights includes the right to "a republican government." This means: A.) a government comprised of officials selected through free and fair elections. B.) a government based on a one-party system dominated by the Republican Party. C.) a unitary government where all decisions are made by the state government without any regard for the federal government's policies or laws. D.) a government where decisions are made without any input from the population, where power is derived from the Constitution itself.
A
The Texas Constitution requires which of the following for amending the state constitution? A. a two-thirds vote in both houses of the state legislature and a majority vote from the voters of Texas B. only a majority vote from the voters of Texas C. the governor's signature D. a two-thirds vote in county conventions convened for the purpose of amending the constitution
A
The U.S. Constitution created a system of government where both the federal and state governments are sovereign. This means that both the federal and state governments derive their power from A. the people, through their state constitutions. B. the Constitution. C. the divine creator. D. electoral consent.
A
The Voting Rights Act has been renewed several times since 1965, and new provisions have been added since then. For example, A. bilingual ballots are now required in certain areas where more than 5 percent of voters speak another language. B. a current form of photo identification is now required to vote. C. proof of residency is now required to vote. D. proof of American citizenship is now required to vote.
A
The domination of Texas politics by Republicans after the Civil War ended A. with the election of governor Richard Coke in 1873, who was a Democrat. B. with the victory of the Populist Party in 1892. C. in 1888, with violent riots by farmers in Houston, Dallas, and Austin. D. through a peaceful transfer of power in 1900.
A
The drive to rewrite the Texas Constitution in the 1970s grew out of A. a major stock fraud involving bribery of several elected officials, state party officials, and bankers. B. bitter politics coupled with the intense demands of highly mobilized special interests. C. a push from the national political parties to help states streamline their constitutions. D. frustration with the power of the Grange and the Radical Republicans.
A
The fastest-growing demographic group in Texas is ________, the majority of whom vote ________. A. Latino; Democratic B. White; Democratic C. Latino; Republican D. African American; Republican
A
The individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act requires all individuals to A. buy health insurance. B. get vaccinated against common diseases. C. participate in electronic health records systems. D. receive their health insurance from the federal government.
A
The most recent census was conducted 2020, with a reapportionment completed soon after based on its results. Assuming the Texas population increased from its 2010 total, as a result of this reapportionment, Texas will most likely A. gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. B. see no change in its allocation of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. C. lose seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. D. gain seats in the U.S. Senate.
A
The process of ________ is what introduces individuals to the political culture and helps people develop their own political beliefs and values. A. acculturation B. political partisanship C. political culture D. political socialization
A
The regulation of oil and energy in Texas is performed by: A. the Texas Railroad Commission. B. the Texas Department of Oil and Gas. C. the governor of Texas. D. ExxonMobil.
A
Under the Texas Constitution, who has the power of impeachment? A. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, while the Senate has the power to try and convict. B. The Senate has the power to both impeach and convict. C. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, while the state Supreme Court has the power to try and convict. D. Texas has no constitutional provisions for impeachment.
A
What happens when a voter engages in straight-ticket voting? A. The voter can check one box at the top of the ballot for one party and this will then cast a vote for each candidate on the ballot with that party's affiliation. B. The voter casts one vote during the primary election that serves as a "super" ballot and will count throughout the entire electoral cycle. C. The voter casts his or her ballot using a piece of paper where selections have to be made using a pen or pencil and filling in a circle next to the candidates' names. D. The voter makes voting decisions based on whether or not he or she recognizes the names on the ballot.
A
What is one of the key functions of the county executive committee? A. running the county's primary elections B. writing the party's platform C. selecting someone to serve as precinct chair D. registering new voters
A
When compared to the rest of the nation, the population of Texas A.is relatively young. B. is primarily an African American majority. C. has a lower percentage of its population living below the poverty level. D. has experienced a decline in Asian residents.
A
When people vote in a primary election, they are A. selecting a party's candidate for the general election B. selecting a party's delegates for the state convention C. selecting precinct chairs throughout the state D. selecting a party's delegates for the precinct convention
A
Which 1869 Supreme Court case resolved the debate over whether states can secede from the Union? A. Texas v. White B. Texas v. Marshall C. Texas v. Chase D. Texas v. Perry
A
Which individuals are legally disqualified from voting? A. individuals who have been judged by a court to be mentally incompetent B. convicted felons who have received a pardon C. individuals who have been arrested in the past D. individuals who have lost their voter registration card
A
Which movement has had the largest impact on state legislative races in recent years? A. the Tea Party movement B. La Raza Unida C. the Libertarian movement D. the Green Party movement
A
Which of the following is a consequence of the elastic clause? A. The federal government often exercises powers in areas originally reserved for the states. B. States have to recognize contracts entered into in other states such as driver licenses. C. States can refuse to enforce or recognize actions of another state if it violates the policy of that state. D. It only applies to activities of the state governments and not the federal government.
A
Which of the following is most likely to create advertising campaigns related to proposed constitutional amendments? A. interest groups either in favor or against the proposed amendment B. political parties trying to mobilize their traditional voters C. county officials who are required to run "get out the vote" campaigns D. the state, since the constitution is a state-wide document
A
Which of the following tends to lower voter turnout? A. most elections are for low-visibility offices B. early voting C. detailed voter guides D. local elections occurring at the same time as presidential elections
A
Which of the following was a consequence of Presidential Reconstruction? A.) Former slaves were granted full rights of citizenship in the Constitution of 1866. B.) The Texas Legislature was dominated by a faction known as the "Radical Republicans" who were able to create a legislative agenda that would set the framework for the next 100 years of policy in the state. C.) Since many of the people writing the Constitution of 1866 were former secessionists, this document still reflected many of the same values of the Constitution of 1861, such as denying freed slaves the right to vote or the ability to hold public office. D.) Former Confederates were disenfranchised and prevented from voting for a specified period of time.
A
Which scenario would make a runoff primary most likely to occur? A. Six candidates are all running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. B. Two candidates running for the Republican nomination for governor have similar sounding names that confused voters. C. There was a delay in processing voter registrations, and more than one-third of the eligible voters were unable participate in the primary election. D. One candidate participating in the primary process is accused of violating campaign finance rules, requiring that the primary elections be "rerun" through a runoff election.
A
Which statement best describes the structure of the Texas legislature? A. Since independence from Mexico, Texas has had a bicameral legislature. B. Texas's first unicameral legislature was established when Texas became an independent country. C. Texas has always had a unicameral legislature. D. Texas created the first tricameral legislature.
A
Why do some constitutional amendment elections tend to have higher levels of turnout than others? A. When the issue being voted on is of high importance to a particular group of people, they will be highly motivated to turnout to vote in the election. B. Voters will only vote on things that they understand, so if the amendment is written in easy-to-understand language, people will be more likely to turnout to vote. C. Voters are more likely to vote when the weather is good, so if the constitutional amendment election is held in May with local elections, turnout tends to be higher. D. If voters are not supportive of the candidates who are also running at the same time, they are less likely to show up to vote.
A
________ is a system of representation that encourages third-party voting because it allows each political party representation in proportion to its percentage of the total vote. A. Proportional representation B. Duverger's Law C. A single-member district D. Multimember representation
A
There have been several calls to revamp the Texas Constitution. What has been the rationale for significant changes to the Texas Constitution? Describe the attempt in the mid-1970s to change it. Why did the attempt fail?
Amended over 400 times, Limit expansion of government, driven by special interest groups. Sharpstown was a major stock fraud scandal involving Sharpstown state bank and National Bankers life insurance company. The revisions failed due to being rejected by voters, voters were influenced by special interest groups, the governor opposing the finished product of the legislature, and no champion for the revision to sell the vote.
How has the relationship between the U.S. national government and the states changed over time?
At first, states had majority power. Over time, federal government gained more control. From 1789-1937 the state and federal government shared most fundamental powers. national government has a greater ability to influence/aid the states; increased federal power into state sphere (cooperative federalism)
According to Section 33 of the Texas Bill of Rights (Article 1 of the Texas Constitution), Texans are guaranteed the right to use and access public beaches. This is not a right that is protected under the U.S. Constitution. Which concept allows Texas to grant its citizens more rights than those listed in the U.S. Constitution? A. Articles of Incorporation B. independent state grounds C. Articles of Confederation D. states' rights
B
Based on a 2017 Gallup poll, ____________ of Texans identified as being Republican or leaning Republican, while _______________ of Texans identified as being Democratic or leaning Democratic. A. 60 percent; 20 percent; B. 41 percent; 38 percent C. 55 percent; 30 percent D. 47 percent; 26 percent
B
Big Bend is found in what region of Texas? A. the Interior Lowlands B. the Basin and Range Province C. the Gulf Coastal Plains D. the Great Plains
B
By about the 1940s, a split between liberals and conservatives developed in the Democratic Party that focused on A. labor and civil liberties measures. B. New Deal economic policies and civil rights measures. C. education and civil rights measures. D. war and New Deal economic policies.
B
How often do political parties in Texas hold their state conventions? A. every year B. every two years C. every four years D. every six years
B
If someone has a medical permit that allows them to possess and consume marijuana in one state, why can it still be illegal for that person to possess and consume marijuana in Texas? A. The doctrine of dual federalism creates a multilayered approach where states can decide which actions they will recognize and which actions they will not. B. Under the public policy exception, states do not have to give "full faith and credit" to actions by another state if those actions are viewed as being against the policy goals of the state. C. Only the national government can decide which states can have legal marijuana, and Texas has not yet been approved by the federal government for legalization. D. The Tenth Amendment says that states can set their own laws and policies, even if they overrule federal law.
B
In 2011, the Texas legislature passed a voter identification law that requires a photo identification in order to vote. Which form of photo identification is acceptable? A. photo ID card issued by colleges and universities B. Department of Public Safety-issued personal ID card C. a hunting and fishing photo ID D. an occupational photo ID
B
In Texas, special elections are used to A. determine election dates. B. ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution. C. approve a vote of no confidence. D. impeach a corrupt politician.
B
In Texas, the ____________________ is responsible for redistricting. A. governor B. legislature C. judiciary D. lieutenant governor
B
Parties use social media for which of the following? A. conducting primary elections B. voter mobilization C. conducting public opinion polls D. counting votes
B
Preclearance required that either _________________ or ________________ would have to approve any changes that certain states wanted to make to their voting laws. A. the U.S. Department of Justice; the Supreme Court of a state that is not covered by the regulations B. a Washington D.C. federal court; the U.S. Department of Justice C. a Washington D.C. federal court; a majority within the U.S. Senate D. The U.S. Department of Justice; a citizens' commission of experts in election law
B
Presidential Republicanism describes a pattern when Texas voters would vote for a Republican president and A. conservative Republicans for state offices. B. conservative Democrats for state offices. C. conservative Democrats for the U.S. House and Senate. D. conservative Republicans for the U.S. House and Senate.
B
Texas is among several states that have decided to take what action in response to the Affordable Care Act? A. agree to expand access to Medicaid B. refuse to expand access to Medicaid C. create state health insurance exchanges D. automatically enroll all residents in a state-run insurance program. Chapter 3
B
Texas was the first state in the South to A. impose a poll tax. B. ratify the women's suffrage amendment. C. elect a black governor. D. elect a Latino governor.
B
Texas's political life grew out of which region? A.) the Interior Lowlands B.) the Gulf Coastal Plains C.) the Interior Highlands D.) the Great Plains
B
The Texas Constitution is: A. a tightly argued, brief document of general principles. B. a long, complex, and detailed document. C. difficult to amend, compared to the U.S. Constitution. D. an economic treatise disguised as a blueprint for government.
B
The _________________ begins with primary elections and concludes with general elections. A. electoral district B. electoral system C. electoral structure D. electoral cycle
B
The main role of the precinct conventions is to select delegates to the ________ and possibly to submit resolutions that may eventually become part of the party platform. A. state executive committee B. county convention C. precinct convention D. state convention
B
The mass exodus of more affluent Whites from urban areas to suburban areas is sometimes referred to as A. urban withdrawal. B. White flight. C. tax-base erosion. D. urban racism.
B
The motor voter law A. requires that all states offer mail-in ballots. B. allows citizens to register to vote while applying for a driver's license. C. restricts a citizen's right to vote if he or she has a certain number of points on his or her driver's license. D. was declared unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
B
The process of ________ involves recalculating how many congressional districts each state will receive based on the state's population. A. redistricting B. reapportionment C. preclearance D. census taking
B
The understanding that the national government and state governments are both sovereign within their sphere of influence is called A. cooperative federalism or marble-cake federalism. B. dual federalism or layer-cake federalism. C. creative federalism or spice-cake federalism. D. New Federalism or Bundt-cake federalism.
B
When Tip O'Neill said, "all politics is local," he was talking about how A. powerful local interests are in state politics. B. local issues are not generally ideological. C. all meaningful decisions are made by state and local governments. D. the federal government only has powers granted to it by state governments.
B
When do Texans vote in general elections to elect members of Congress? A. Monday in November of even-numbered years. B. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. C. Tuesday following the first Monday in November of odd-numbered years. D. Monday in November of odd-numbered years.
B
When we talk about American political culture, we tend to refer to which set of values? A. economic self-determination, freedom, happiness B. liberty, equality, democracy C. individual rights D. freedom of speech
B
Which component of the current Texas Constitution was designed to prevent future governors from consolidating power like Governor Edmund Davis did under the Constitution of 1869? A.) universal suffrage B.) the plural executive C.) the Bill of Rights D.) independent state grounds
B
Which court case in 2013 struck down the formula for determining the states covered under the Section 5 preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965? A. Rick Perry et al. v. Holder B. Shelby County v. Holder C. Reynolds v. Simms D. Texas v. Holder
B
Which of the following are the most important factors that influence whether or not someone votes? A. employment status and education B. income level and education C. education and ethnicity D. ethnicity and income level
B
Which of the following is the largest expense for most campaigns? A. transportation B. advertising C. staff salaries D. legal filings
B
Which of the following statements about the powers of the national government is most accurate? A. The only powers of the national government are those specifically stated. B. The amount of power the national government has exercised has grown over the last 200 years as a result of the "necessary and proper clause." C. Powers of the national government are delegated by the state governments. D. Powers of the national government are equal to the powers of the state governments.
B
While new technologies such as horizontal drilling and fracking have allowed greater access to oil and natural gas in Texas, these technologies also raised environmental concerns mostly due to: A. their need for substantial amounts of electricity. B. their need for substantial amounts of water. C. their need for substantial amounts of land on all sides of each well. D. the lower quality of oil or gas produced by this method.
B
Who is responsible for fundraising for the party and establishing the party's policies? A. the state steering committee B. the state executive committee C. the state policy planning committee D. the state advisory committee
B
Who is responsible for leading the precinct convention? A. The precinct executive committee B. The precinct chair C. The precinct commission D. The precinct president
B
Who were the Radical Republicans? A. Republicans who proposed to write a new U.S. constitution in the late 1990s B. Republicans who controlled Reconstruction policy in the former Confederate states after the Civil War and passed the Congressional Reconstruction Acts of 1867 C. the first Republicans since Reconstruction in Texas to win elected office during the 1960s D. followers of the pro-Union governor Sam Houston and preferred to follow the policies found under the umbrella of Presidential Reconstruction
B
Why are statewide officials such as the governor and lieutenant governor elected in nonpresidential years? A. Since these are nonpartisan elections, they are held at different times so that voters are not confused. B. It prevents presidential candidates from influencing the outcome of Texas races. C. The Texas Constitution requires that statewide offices be placed on a ballot by themselves with no other races on the ballot. D. Having important elections every November increases voter turnout because people get into a routine of voting every November.
B
Why did Texas need to create a new constitution in 1861? A. Constitutions must be revised every few years as a matter of good governance, and 1861 was the date for the next scheduled revision. B. After Texas joined the Confederacy in February 1861, a new constitution was needed since Texas was no longer part of the United States. C. Texas was no longer part of the Confederacy in 1861, so the constitution needed to be rewritten to reflect that status. D. The Constitution of the United States was amended requiring that all states adopt unicameral legislatures, therefore the Texas Constitution had to be rewritten.
B
________ dominated the secession convention of 1861. A. Landowners and cattlemen B. Lawyers and slaveholders C. Supporters of Governor Sam Houston D. Supporters of the Union
B
Approximately what percentage of the state's voting-age population is registered to vote? A. 22 percent B. 59 percent C. 79 percent D. 92 percent
C
Between 2008 and 2018, countywide elections in Harris County A. were split 50-50 by Democrats and Republicans. B. were swept by Republicans. C. were swept by Democrats. D. were split equally by Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians.
C
Candidates for state office and lobbyists have to file quarterly reports detailing their spending and donations with which agency? A. Texas Financial Regulation Commission B. Texas Reporting Commission C. Texas Ethics Commission D. Texas Elections Commission
C
Governors and state officials would tend to favor which type of federal funding, since it provides flexibility in terms of how the funds can be used? A. matching grants B. earmark grants C. block grants D. project grants
C
In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms" was a fundamental right and also applied at the state level. This is an example of A. application of the supremacy clause. B. the public policy exception. C. the incorporation of the Bill of Rights. D. one of the consequences of dual sovereignty.
C
In Texas, political parties help candidates by providing A. legal assistance to respond to policy challenges. B. fundraising for constitutional amendments. C. training for a campaign. D. materials needed to run a negative campaign.
C
Members of the Texas Republican Party have become more conservative and members of the Texas Democratic Party have become more liberal. This evolution best defines A. partisan drift. B. partisan allegiance. C. partisan polarization. D. the two-party system.
C
No Democrat has won Texas in a presidential race since ________. A. Barack Obama B. Bill Clinton C. Jimmy Carter D. Ann Richards
C
One of the advantages incumbents have when running for reelection is A. automatic funding from the state. B. automatic ballot access. C. name recognition and visibility. D. that they do not have to compete in primary elections.
C
Political culture is a term used to describe: A. the level of education and learning in a particular state. B. the degree of public support for the arts. C. the broadly shared values and beliefs about government. D. the amount of partisan bickering in a state.
C
States can be prevented from enacting policies that interfere with powers of the federal government because of which aspect of coercive federalism? A. unfunded mandates B. categorical grants C. preemption D. block grants
C
Suffrage refers to A. application of rights throughout the society. B. the amount of suffering in a society. C. the right to vote. D. participation within a political system.
C
Texas became an independent republic in ________ and became part of the United States in ________. A.) 1827; 1861 B.) 1827; 1869 C.) 1836; 1845 D.) 1845; 1876
C
The Compromise of 1850, which was passed by the U.S. Congress, A. allows Texas to divide itself into as many as seven separate states. B. stated that Texas was responsible for reimbursing the federal government for costs incurred in defending Texas in any military actions. C. established permanent borders for the State of Texas. D. mandated that Texas must sell all public lands within five years.
C
The Latino movement known as La Raza Unida occurred during the A. 1920s. B. 1940s. C. 1960s. D. 1980s.
C
The ________ convention is a meeting held by a political party following its precinct convention for the purpose of electing delegates to its state convention. A. city B. regional C. county D. special district
C
The ________ movement was a movement during the 1950s in which conservative Democrats in Texas supported Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower for the presidency. A. Dixiecrat B. La Raza Unida C. Shivercrat D. Constitutionalist
C
The _______________ requirement was included in the Voting Rights Act to ensure that states that had previously restricted the political participation of minorities could not use redistricting for partisan gain and against the interest of minority groups. A. redistricting B. reapportionment C. preclearance D. external validation
C
The county chair is selected by the _________________, while the _______________ selects the state chair and vice chair. A. voters in the party primary; voters in the general election B. county party convention; state party convention C. voters in the party primary; state party convention D. state party convention; national party officers
C
The economy of Texas grew rapidly in the 1990s and was: A.) solely rooted in extracting resources from the land. B.) based on agricultural production. C.) closely tied to expanding manufacturing. D.) spread evenly throughout the state.
C
The idea of "separate but equal" allowed states to do what? A. States could set different dates for each party to conduct its primary elections. B. States could set up different rules to govern cities based on their population. C. States could segregate people based on race, as long as equal facilities were provided. D. States could decide whether or not they wanted to recognize actions taken in other states.
C
The large growth in Austin's population in the second half of the twentieth century was driven by: A. substantial increases in enrollment at The University of Texas at Austin and Austin Community College. B. overall increases in the population in the state that also included this region. C. tech corporations moving into the area and diversifying the economy of the region. D. population movements of residents leaving urban centers such as Houston and Dallas.
C
The poll tax was made illegal in federal elections with the passage of the A. Voting Rights Act of 1965. B. Nineteenth Amendment. C. Twenty-Fourth Amendment. D. Civil Rights Act of 1964.
C
Under Article 7 of the Texas Constitution, the State Board of Education has responsibility for which of the following? A. The University of Texas B. Texas A&M University C. elementary and secondary education D. community colleges
C
Under the New Deal, federalism is frequently described as A. New Federalism. B. coercive federalism. C. cooperative federalism. D. dual federalism.
C
What stalled Texas's admission into the United States? A. the insufficient number of people in Texas B. Texas's overly large debt, which would have to be assumed by the federal government C. that Texas would be a proslavery state D. that foreign nations had refused to recognize an independent Texas
C
What type of primary allows a voter to choose on Election Day which party they will vote for? A. closed primary B. semi-closed primary C. open primary D. crossover voting primary
C
When drafting the Texas Constitution of 1876, the framers wanted to create a government based on which of the following principles? A. the need for governmental subsidy and regulation of economic growth B. the importance of civil right protections for African Americans and Latinos C. the necessity of strong limitations on the power of state government D. the value of states' rights
C
Which of the following is listed in the Texas Bill of Rights, but is not in the U.S. Bill of Rights? A.) The right to freedom of expression such as free speech and a free press. B.) Protections from unreasonable searches and seizure of personal property. C.) A list of rights guaranteed to victims of crime, such as the right to restitution and the right to be protected from the accused. D.) Powers not specifically delegated to the Texas government in the Constitution belong to the federal government.
C
Which of the following was a consequence of one-party dominance in Texas? A.) Only one party's candidates were listed on ballots for all elections during this period. B.) Since the outcome of all elections was known, the elections were cancelled to save scarce resources. C.) General elections tended to be non-competitive during this period. D.) The real campaigning took place at the Republican primary.
C
Which offshoot of the Democratic Party preselected candidates for the Democratic primary and prohibited African Americans from participating? A. the La Raza Unida B. the American Independent Party C. the Jaybird Party D. the Shivercrats
C
Which part of the U.S. Constitution requires that states provide all individuals equal protection of the laws? A. the Thirteenth Amendment B. the Fifteenth Amendment C. the Fourteenth Amendment D. the First Amendment
C
Which statement concerning women's suffrage is correct? A. Women were given the right to vote in the original Constitution of 1876. B. The Texas Constitution was amended in 1899 to permit women to vote. C. Women were permitted to vote in all elections in Texas with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. D. Women were given full suffrage rights in Texas in 1932.
C
Who made up the Grange, and what effect did they have on the writing of the Texas Constitution of 1876? A. They were a consortium of railroad entrepreneurs who wanted a constitution that would aid business interests. B. They were a group of pro-Union Republicans who controlled the state after the Civil War. C. They were an agricultural group who wanted a government that would improve the plight of farmers. D. They were early wildcatters who wanted land grants from the state so they could explore for oil.
C
Why was the privatization of public property considered to be a vital task after Texas entered into the Union in 1845? A. It was a required provision of agreement Texas signed with the United States as one of the conditions of becoming a state—only the original 13 colonies were allowed to maintain control of their public lands when they joined the United States. B. The leaders of Texas feared that if they did not privatize the lands in a way that would allow the state to maintain some control and benefit, the lands would be federalized instead. C. At the time, Texas was "land rich but money poor" and this was a way for the state to be able to raise funds that could be used for vital purposes such as funding elementary, secondary, and higher education. D. As a result of becoming part of the United States, there were now redundancies within many parts of government within the state. This would allow the state to sell off the tangible redundancies that were no longer needed.
C
Within the major population centers of the Gulf Coastal Plains region, the suburban areas are becoming more __________________, while urban areas are becoming more___________. A. Democratic; Republican B. Tea Party; Republican C. Republican; Democratic D. Democratic; Tea Party
C
A ________ was a state-imposed tax on voters as a prerequisite for voting. A. registration tax B. voter tax C. registration fee D. poll tax
D
A closed primary allows only those individuals who________ to participate. A. are registered voters B. have paid a poll tax C. are first-time voters D. are a registered member of their political party
D
According to Article 5 of the Texas Constitution, how are judges selected? A. District court judges and lower are elected while appeals court judges and higher are appointed by the governor. B. Judges are nominated by the governor and then approved by the Senate. C. Judges are appointed by the governor. D. Judges are elected by the people.
D
According to the Tenth Amendment, any powers not delegated to the national government by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, A. can be claimed by the national government as necessary. B. belong exclusively to the people. C. belong exclusively to the states. D. belong to either the people or the state.
D
As federal regulations became more intrusive, forcing states to change their policies in order to meet national goals, some people began calling our system a ________ federalism. A. sovereign B. dual C. progressive D. coercive
D
At the most basic and fundamental level, parties are organized into _______________________. A. wards B. districts C. county caucuses D. precincts
D
Cooperative federalism is also known as A. layer-cake federalism. B. cooperative federalism. C. coercive federalism. D. marble-cake federalism.
D
How much can an individual donate to a campaign for a state-level, nonjudicial office, such as for governor? A. $1,500 B. $5,000 C. $2,500 D. There is no limit.
D
In Texas today, rural areas have become more ______________, while urban areas have become more ___________. A. nonpartisan; Libertarian B. Shivercrat; Tea Party C. Democratic; Republican D. Republican; Democratic
D
In the case of Gibbons v. Ogden (1824), the Supreme Court decided that A. states retained full authority to regulate commerce within their own borders and among their immediate neighbors. B. the federal government had authority to regulate only international commerce, not interstate commerce. C. the federal government had authority to regulate only interstate commerce, not international commerce. D. the federal government's authority to regulate international and interstate commerce bestowed on it some power to regulate intrastate commerce.
D
In the post-Civil War era, the only parts of Texas that showed significant Republican leanings were A. counties in the Panhandle. B. rural areas in east Texas. C. counties located along the Rio Grande River. D. German counties in the Texas Hill Country.
D
One of the primary goals of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was to: A. eliminate the need for any form of passport or documentation to travel between the United States, Mexico, or Canada. B. reduce the role of international trade on the economy of the United States. C. integrate the means of production across the borders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States. D. eliminate or lower tariffs among Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
D
Provincialism is best defined as: A.) the belief that God will lead. B.) a narrow view of the world. C.) the belief in an active government. D.) the belief in the free market.
D
Suppose you wanted to create a method of redistricting that would make races for the Texas legislature more competitive. Which plan would you recommend be enacted to do so? A. No changes are needed; races for the Texas legislature are already competitive. B. Allow politicians in the legislature to devise and implement electoral districts. C. Allow the lieutenant governor to devise an implement electoral districts. D. Give the redistricting process to a non-partisan commission.
D
Texas ranks ________ in the nation in voter participation. A. 1st B. 20th C. 35th D. 50th
D
Texas requires voters to show a state-issued photo ID in order to vote. Voters without a driver's license or other form of state-issued ID can obtain a Texas election identification certificate at no cost to the voter. Why does the state provide these election identification certificates for free? A. All legal residents of Texas are entitled to one free government-issued ID card every four years. B. These cards are part of a get out the vote effort conducted by the Secretary of State's office. C. The federal government requires that every state keep track of all residents, and therefore all legal residents are required to have at least one state-issued ID card. D. Requiring voters to pay for something that is necessary to vote would be a poll tax, which is unconstitutional.
D
The Constitution of 1836 showed the direct influence of the U.S. Constitution through the inclusion of which of the following? A. state retention of ownership of mineral rights B. a unicameral legislature C. a judicial system with four levels D. government divided into three branches with a system of checks and balances
D
The Constitution of 1869 gave the governor expanded powers, including A. the power to appoint half of the members of the legislature. B. the power to appoint sheriffs and constables. C. the power to appoint judges. D. the power to appoint members of the plural executive.
D
The Constitution of 1876 limits the power of government through elements such as: A. limiting the governor to serving only two terms in office. B. limiting members of the Texas Legislature to serving only two terms in office. C. the requiring approval of the voters to finalize judicial appointments. D. regulating and limiting the government's ability to take on debt or tax citizens.
D
The Texas Bill of Rights is different from the U.S. Bill of Rights because: A.) it is a separate document from the Texas Constitution. B.) it does not list any specific protections for those accused of committing a crime. C.) it is shorter than the federal Bill of Rights, containing only three protections. D.) it grants rights and protections that are not found in the U.S. Bill of Rights.
D
The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974 A.) was successful in drafting a new version of the Texas Constitution that was ratified by voters in November 1975. B.) failed to include enough sitting members of the legislature, so the Texas Supreme Court invalidated its proposed new constitution. C.) adopted a proposed constitution by a two-thirds vote. D.) was unable to reach an agreement on a proposed new constitution.
D
The framers of the Constitution of 1876 created a rigid and highly detailed document that provided clear instructions for how government should operate. As a result of this, A. the Constitution must be replaced every 25 years to ensure that it is current with today's requirements. B. the Constitution is one of the shortest constitutions of any state in the United States today. C. the Constitution has needed to be amended infrequently. D. the Constitution must be amended in order to address policy changes brought about by advances in our society including things like cars, electricity, and the internet.
D
The fundamental principles and positions supported by a political party are explained in the A. party guidebook. B. party primary. C. party manifesto. D. party platform.
D
The use of block grants, allowing states considerable leeway in how federal money is spent, was championed by President ________ under the name New Federalism. A. McKinley B. Wilson C. Hoover D. Nixon
D
What event marked a significant change in how Texans began to vote not only in presidential elections but also in state elections? A. Michael Dukakis won Texas in 1988. B. George H. W. Bush moved to Texas. C. George H. W. Bush won Texas in the general election of 2000. D. Ronald Reagan was elected as President.
D
What is the most basic and fundamental duty citizens have in a democracy? A. signing a petition B. attending a rally C. financial contributions D. voting
D
When deciding how to vote, people will use mental shortcuts. Political scientists call these shortcuts A. rubrics. B. mapping. C. work-arounds. D. cues.
D
Which amendments are collectively known as the "Civil War Amendments"? A. the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments B. the Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Amendments C. the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth Amendments D. the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments
D
Which of the following is an example of states serving as "laboratories of democracy"? A. Different states having different policies and regulations regarding immigration. B. Different states having different policies and regulations regarding what age people can vote. C. Different states having different policies and regulations regarding international trade. D. Different states having different policies and regulations regarding things like the processes and procedures required to get a marriage license.
D
Which of the following is found in the Texas Constitution, but not in the U.S. Constitution? A. Bill of Rights B. separation of powers C. supremacy clause D. Equal Rights Amendment
D
Which of the following is the most important way in which parties help voters during elections? A. select nominees for office B. raise money C. provide volunteers to serve as election judges D. give voters a party label they can identify with when deciding how to vote
D
Which of the following laws was written specifically to deal with expanding and protecting voting rights? A. Civil Rights Act of 1964 B. the Sixteenth Amendment C. One-Person, One-Vote Act of 1972 D. Voting Rights Act of 1965
D
Which of the following requires state governments to spend their own money to meet standards imposed on them by the federal government? A. categorical grants B. block grants C. program grants D. unfunded mandates
D
Which statement correctly describes the requirements for membership in a major political party in Texas? A. An individual must apply for membership through a formal process. B. An individual must have voted in two party primaries in successive elections. C. One must be a registered voter in the state of Texas and 21 years of age. D. With no requirements, a registered voter simply chooses which party primary to vote in.
D
Why are Texas Republicans considered to be in a divided moment? A. because Republicans are divided over Latino voter recruitment B. because coalition between the Latino and African American voters has dominated Texas politics in recent years, and the Tea Party movement is becoming more influential within Texas politics and government C. because of the rise of independent voters and the growing influence of the Tea Party movement D. because there is tension between pro-business Republicans, who have traditionally dominated Texas politics, and the Tea Party movement that is becoming more influential within Texas politics and government
D
With categorical grants, A. states are given money from the federal government to solve issues and problems, but must work with actors in the private sector. B. federal funds are used to solve issues and problems within states, but state and local governments are bypassed and excluded. C. states are given money from the federal government to spend on any issues or problems within the state that the state government determines are priorities. D. states are given money from the federal government to spend on specific issues or to solve specific problems that are determined by the federal government.
D
Which two Texas metropolitan areas are national centers for the high-tech industry? Lubbock and Midland Houston and El Paso Dallas and Austin-San Marcos San Antonio and Waco
Dallas and Austin-San Marcos
Prior to the Texas Revolution, Spanish and Mexican leaders relied on ________________ to encourage to people to move to Texas. land agents real estate brokers empresarios promoters
Empresarios
Both the Texas and U.S. Constitutions require voter approval for any proposed amendments to take effect. True or False
False
Dates for special elections are specified by the Texas Secretary of State, who oversees and administers all elections in Texas. T/F
False
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Texas was a competitive, two-party state. T/F
False
Early voting was adopted in Texas to increase the chances of Republican candidates being elected to office. T/F
False
In Texas, the most local level of a party organization is the county. T/F
False
It is relatively easy for an independent candidate to get on the Texas ballot. T/F
False
Local governments are the creation of the states. T/F
False
Local issues are always ideological in nature. T/F
False
Only the federal government can set the requirements for getting on the ballot. T/F
False
Primaries are the final elections to be held in the election cycle. T/F
False
Reapportionment involves the determination of how district lines will be drawn in each state for the state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. T/F
False
Regulations for most of your day-to-day life including birth, death, marriage, and divorce are spelled out in federal law. True or False
False
Special elections are used to ratify amendments to the Texas Constitution, fill vacancies in offices, set the dates for legislative sessions, and to allow the state to borrow money. T/F
False
States maintained their right to seceded from the United States under dual federalism. True or False
False
Texans tend to vote at higher rates than the national average. T/F
False
Texas Republicans have held all major statewide elected offices since 1980. T/F
False
Texas must obtain preclearance from the federal government to change any aspect of its electoral systems. T/F
False
Texas requires people to designate party affiliation when registering to vote. T/F
False
The "Civil War Amendments" settled the question of whether or not secession of states from the United States is permissible in the future. True or False
False
The Libertarian Party is both socially and economically liberal. T/F
False
The Republican Party was the dominant force in Texas politics throughout most of the 1900s. T/F
False
The Texas Constitution of 1866 granted the governor a line-item veto on all bills passed by the legislature. True or False
False
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was designed to expand the power of government, particularly the power of the governor and lieutenant governor. True or False
False
The Texas Constitution sets up a state government that is structured in a manner that does not utilize checks and balances. True or False
False
The U.S. Supreme Court in Texas v. White et al. (1869) ruled that Texas did secede from the union. True or False
False
The current Texas Constitution has been amended fewer than 300 times. True or False
False
The primary function of the precinct convention is to write the party platform. T/F
False
The state of Texas has had three constitutions in the course of its history. True or False
False
To register to vote in Texas, a person must have been a resident of Texas for at least 90 days. T/F
False
Under dual federalism, the national and state governments regularly cooperate and share responsibilities. T/F
False
Under the Tenth Amendment, the federal government is the only level of government that can regulate elections. True or False
False
Under the public policy exception, states can decide that they don't want to fully implement federal laws that conflict with state laws. T/F
False
People tend to live in areas with like-minded individuals, which has made cities more Republican and rural areas more Democratic. T/F
False; democrats in cities and republicans in rural areas
General elections in Texas are always held on the third Tuesday of November. T/F
False; it is on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November on even years
Most Democrats in Texas today consider themselves to be "Blue Dog Democrats." T/F
False; most are liberals
The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prevents state governments from imposing cruel and unusual punishments. True or False
False; protects states rights
Everyone who entered into the United States before they turned 18 is eligible for DACA protections. True or False
False; the age is under 16
Describe the history of Texas as a one-party state. Which party dominated Texas politics, and what are the historical origins behind this dominance? What were some of the ramifications of one-party rule? What caused the rise of a two-party system in Texas?
For close to a century, Texas had been a one-party state. The state was ruled by Democrats for decades after Reconstruction, with only a brief moment of purpleness in the late '80s-early '90s before Republicans took over. Republicans had a limited role in Texas politics, while Democrats dominated for over a century. The Republican Party, made up mostly of local postmasters and mail carriers, didn't contest major state offices or other offices which made it easy for the democratic nominee to win. When you have a one-party state, men stay in Congress longer and build up seniority. Changing demographics caused the rise of a two-party system in Texas.
Houston is found in which part of Texas?
Gulf Coastal Plains
As of 2021, which city in Texas has the largest population? San Antonio Dallas Houston El Paso
Houston
Which city is located in the Great Plains region of Texas? Lubbock Fort Worth El Paso Houston
Lubbock
As the number one importer of exports from Texas, which country has the most to lose from tighter restrictions on the border? Canada China Taiwan Mexico
Mexico
Describe the character of federal-state relations today. How much influence does the federal government wield over the states? What tools can it use to coerce state compliance with federal measures? What means do states have to resist federal initiatives?
Modern federalism is known as coercive federalism. To great extent, the exclusive power of the Federal government has transcended it extent as written in the constitution. The exclusive power of the federal government includes: Conducting foreign affair, declaring war, raising armies, coining money, regulating the mail, regulating interstate and foreign commerce etc. the power of the federal government help the nation to operate as a unified nation. The federal government uses unfunded mandates (forcing states to pay for federal policies) and preemption (federal government imposes its priority on states) to impose its goals onto the states States have begun to fight back in recent years. The means used have been, vowed to reject national gun laws, refuse to initiate health insurance exchanges for the Affordable Care Act, suing the federal government in the Supreme Court
Which event occurred at Spindletop, Texas?
Oil was discovered
How would you explain what political parties are and why Texas has a two-party system?
Political parties are organized groups that seek to gain power in the political system. A political party is a group of likeminded individuals with similar opinions and interests in regard to politics. The simple plurality election system inhibits the success of third parties.
Define in detail the following terms and describe what role they play in the electoral cycle in Texas: primary election, runoff primary, open primary, closed primary, general election, and early voting.
Primary elections are the first elections held in the electoral cycle. and determine the party's nominees for the general election. It connects with voting in Texas because it picks the people who are going to run for governor. A runoff primary is held between the two candidates if no candidate receives an absolute majority. This connects with Texas voting because it helps if no governor has majority so they can find a governor. Open primaries allow any registered voter to cast a ballot in either primary but not both and voters do not need to declare their party preference in order to vote for the party's nominees. The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas system a closed primary because one must declare one party affiliation before voting. General elections take place after all primaries are completed. One party's nominee runs against the nominee of the other party. This narrows the options for governor in Texas. Early voting is a process by which voters in a public election can vote prior to the scheduled election day. This will increase voter participation in Texas because of less congestion.
The origins of ranching and the cattle industry extend back to the late ________ century. seventeenth eighteenth nineteenth twentieth
Seventeenth
Which of the following groups are starting to challenge business groups for influence in Texas politics? labor unions lobbyists social conservatives the Democratic Party
Social conservatives
What are some of the most important aspects of the Texas Constitution of 1876 that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?
Some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers are that they were Visionaries. The committee that drafted the constitution wrote it in such a manner that its principles and ideas would sustain the changing ways of point of views of different types of people and made sure it would be around for a very long time. They wanted to tackle the challenges that the nation was having during that time but they also wanted to establish a foundation of principles that will sustain and help them with their new nation. The Constitution defines our freedoms that we have as citizens, such as freedom of speech, due process of law, cruel and unusual punishment and the free exercise of religion.
Describe the particular historical conditions under which the Texas Constitution of 1876 was drafted.
Some of the particular conditions under the constitution of 1876 that was drafted was 1. The agrarian interest 2. The economy in the government. 3. The constitution was drafted by Edmund J. Davis. 4. The state government was under popular control. 5. The state government was under the popular control of the citizens.
How would you describe the structure of political parties and elections in Texas? What are the different levels of party organization?
Temporary Party Organization: conventions held at various levels every two years to pick delegates to next higher convention, adopt party platform, establish party rules, and elect state party officials (chair, vice-chair, state executive committee) precinct convention (night of March primary) county/state senatorial district (Sat in late March) state convention (early June) national convention held every four years Permanent Party Organization: conducts party business between conventions county level: county chair & precinct chairs form county executive committee and are directly elected by voters in party primary state level: chair & vice-chair (one must be male and the other female) and state executive committee (one male & one female from each state senatorial district) chosen at state convention by delegates
Who led the Grange and Populist movements of the late nineteenth century? tenant farmers cattle barons labor union members the railroad industry
Tenant farmers
Discuss and explain at least four reasons why Texas voter turnout is so low. What can be done to increase voter participation?
Texas voter ID Law An est. 800,000 Texas voters lack photo ID Latinos are substantially more likely than whites to lack IDA third of counties don't have a DPS office Many Texas citizens would have to drive 150-200 miles to get an ID. People would need to spend $22 for a copy of their birth certificate if they don't have the original.
Describe the Supreme Court's position on federalism from the founding of the republic to the present day. What landmark cases have been most influential in shaping federal-state relations? Has the Supreme Court's position changed frequently, or has its stance been generally consistent, despite a few unique periods? Chapter 3
The Supreme Court plays a very important role in our constitutional system of government. First, as the highest court in the land, it is the court of last resort for those looking for justice. Third, it protects civil rights and liberties by striking down laws that violate the Constitution.
What are some of the key similarities and differences between the Texas Constitution and the U.S. Constitution?
The Texas and the U.S. Constitutions provide for representative government with political power divided among three branches or departments. But the Texas Constitution is much longer and more detailed than the U.S. Constitution. The Texas Constitution gives the people a right to reform or to abolish their government. The Texas Constitution grants Texans rights that are not found in the U.S. Constitution.
"First past the post," single-member district electoral systems tend to favor two-party systems. T/F
True
Amendments to the Texas Constitution can address technical issues faced by state agencies and local governments. True or False
True
Between 2001 and 2010, the overwhelming majority of constitutional amendments have been approved by voters. True or False
True
Constitutional amendment elections tend to have very low levels of voter turnout. True or False
True
Cooperative federalism is also known as marble-cake federalism. True or False
True
County and municipal governments are established under the authority of a state constitution. True or False
True
Federal law requires that bilingual ballots are provided in areas where more than 5 percent of the population speaks a language other than English. T/F
True
It is because of the process of political socialization that most people tend to have the same political beliefs as their parents. T/F
True
Many of the political conflicts in the United States have been fought over the proper roles of states versus the national government. True or False
True
Most third-party candidates in Texas are unsuccessful in their electoral bids. T/F
True
New Federalism often used categorical grants to help states fund programs. True or False
True
One proposal to reform redistricting in Texas is to remove politicians who have an interest in the outcome from the process. T/F
True
One reason for low levels of voter turnout in Texas is the low level of educational attainment in the state. T/F
True
Partisan polarization makes it difficult to get legislation passed in the legislature. T/F
True
Photo IDs issued by the United States government, such as passports or citizenship certificates are acceptable forms of identification to cast a vote in any Texas election. T/F
True
Poll taxes, such as those used in Texas, disenfranchised poor voters. T/F
True
Preemption prevents states from taking certain actions that are reserved for the national government. True or False
True
Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March. T/F
True
Public opinion polling can play an important role in creating targeted messages during campaigns. T/F
True
Since 2010, Republicans in Congress tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) over 70 times. T/F
True
Social media is an important fundraising tool because it is less costly to solicit campaign contributions using social media than through other methods. T/F
True
Some blame the relatively low voter turnout for Texas elections on the frequency of elections and the large number of candidates. T/F
True
Straight-ticket voting is now eliminated in Texas, starting with the 2020 elections. T/F
True
Texas Democrats have been relegated to minority status in the state since 1994. T/F
True
Texas voters often use the party affiliation of the candidates as a way to make voting decisions. T/F
True
The Constitution of 1866 was written under the provisions of President Andrew Johnson's "Presidential Reconstruction" plan. True or False
True
The Fifteenth Amendment protects the rights of citizens to vote regardless of race or color. True or False
True
The Tea Party movement is strong in Texas. T/F
True
The Texas Bill of Rights guarantees the right to a republican form of government. True or False
True
The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas system a closed primary because one must declare one's party affiliation before voting, but in practice it is an open primary. T/F
True
The Texas Constitution became a place where special interests could seek to promote and protect their own agendas. True or False
True
The Texas Constitution created a plural executive, consisting of multiple elected executive officers. True or False
True
The Texas Constitution creates two top appellate courts: one for civil cases and one for criminal cases. True or False
True
The Texas Constitution explicitly discusses the role of the state in providing education at all levels, including colleges and universities. True or False
True
The Texas Constitution lists reasons why judges in Texas can be impeached, including for "habitual drunkenness." True or False
True
The Texas Constitution of 1869 was written by members of the Republican Party, including ten elected African Americans. True or False
True
The Thirteenth Amendment guarantees that no state can deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. True or False
True
The concept of independent state grounds allows for states to provide additional rights and guarantees for their citizens beyond those listed in the U.S. Constitution. T/F
True
The first federal constitution that Texas operated under was the Mexican Constitution. True or False
True
The most recent attempt to rewrite the Texas Constitution was in 1974. True or False
True
There are rights guaranteed to Texans in Article 1 of the Texas Constitution that go far beyond those of the U.S. Constitution. True or False
True
Under dual sovereignty both the federal and state governments can enforce their own laws. True or False
True
Unfunded mandates requiring states to meet federal guidelines without financial support are associated with coercive federalism. True or False
True
Since 1850 there has been a marked shift of the population in Texas from rural to urban areas. This process is known as suburbanization. citification. urbanization. economic development.
Urbanization
Which factor contributed the most to the increase in the population of Texas?
a natural increase of births in proportion to deaths
Discuss urban, rural, and suburban influences on partisanship. Explain which party tends to dominate in each of these areas, and why.
cities in Texas have become more democratic, rural areas remain conservative and republican (white flight to the suburbs) voters tend to settle in places with like-minded people which only reinforces the political proclivities
While the Texas Railroad Commission was originally established to regulate railroads, in 1917 it was also given powers to do which of the following:
ensure that petroleum pipelines were common carriers and transported oil and gas produced by any company on equal terms
In 1950, the Supreme Court case Sweatt v. Painter
guaranteed African Americans admission to Texas's graduate and professional schools
Which of the following elements dominated the land-based economy of post-Reconstruction Texas and is/are still relevant today?
oil, cotton, and cattle
List and discuss the reasons why campaigns in Texas are so expensive.
there are paid staff as well as volunteers, travel costs, supplies, food, to mention a few, but the highest costs would be for ads.
Explain why it is difficult to be elected as an independent candidate in Texas.
they must collect signatures of 1: of all votes cast in last election, votes must come from registered voters who didn't participate in primary that year, all signatures my have voter registration number
