Voting in Texas
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Questions and Answers

Who tends to vote more frequently?

Older, more educated individuals.

Which Constitutional Amendments deal with expanding the rights of individuals to vote?

  • 1st Amendment
  • 15th Amendment (correct)
  • 26th Amendment (correct)
  • 19th Amendment (correct)

    • Which Supreme Court case declared the grandfather clause unconstitutional?

    Guinn v. United States

    Identify the Amendments that gave women the right to vote.

    <p>19th Amendment</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What means did the federal government use to bring about universal suffrage?

    <p>Legislation and amendments</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which Supreme Court case allows Texas to use state-issued photo IDs in its elections?

    <p>Texas v. Holder</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the provisions of SB5 passed by the Texas Legislature in 2018?

    <p>Restrictions on voter registration and ID requirements</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the 2 federal court cases that forced the Texas Legislature to introduce SB5.

    <p>Shelby County v. Holder and Texas v. United States</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is ranked choice voting?

    <p>A voting system where voters rank candidates in order of preference.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a voter decide how to cast his/her vote in an election?

    <p>By evaluating candidates and issues based on personal values.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do people fail to vote?

    <p>Lack of interest, registration issues, or feeling their vote doesn't matter.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the reasons for low voter turnout in Texas?

    <p>Voter ID laws, lack of outreach, and historical factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In which election year was the use of early voting and voting by mail the highest?

    <p>2020</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does a candidate win the primary election in Texas?

    <p>By receiving the majority of votes in their party's primary.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a general election, when is it held, and how does a candidate win it?

    <p>A general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November; a candidate wins by securing the most votes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a political party?

    <p>An organized group of people with shared goals and political objectives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the characteristics of American political parties?

    <p>They are organized, have a platform, recruit candidates, and seek to influence public policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At what level, local, state, or national, are American political parties unified?

    <p>National level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are examples of temporary party organizations?

    <p>Caucuses and conventions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are party officials chosen at the precinct, county, and state levels?

    <p>Through elections and conventions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who is the chair of the Texas Republican Party and the chair of the Texas Democratic Party?

    <p>Republican Chair: A. J. Smith; Democratic Chair: Gilberto Hinojosa.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who chooses the 64 members of each party's State Executive Committee in Texas?

    <p>Party delegates at the State Convention.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When is each party's Precinct Convention held?

    <p>Within two weeks after the primary election.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the functions of delegates who attend each party's State Party Convention during the presidential election year?

    <p>They formulate party platforms and nominate presidential candidates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    At which level of party convention do delegates finalize and adopt the State Party Platform?

    <p>State Party Convention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where does one find political parties?

    <p>In local, state, and national politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the parties that occasionally challenged the Texas Democratic Party in the nineteenth century.

    <p>Republican Party and Populist Party.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the reasons why the Democratic Party remained the dominant party in Texas from the Civil War to the 1980s?

    <p>Historical voting patterns, party loyalty, and cultural factors.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the first Texas Republican who won a statewide election since the Civil War.

    <p>Kleberg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the first Republican presidential nominee who won the popular vote when the Democratic Party was the dominant party in Texas.

    <p>Dwight D. Eisenhower</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did the Texas Democratic Party lose control of politics in the early 1990s?

    <p>Shift in demographics, party organization failures, and rising Republican influence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who realigned themselves behind the Republican Party?

    <p>Conservative Democrats and independents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many Republicans are part of Texas's 36 congressional delegation, how many Republicans in the Texas State Senate, and when have Republicans had a majority in the House Chamber of the Texas Legislature?

    <p>23 in congressional delegation, 18 in state senate; majority in early 2000s.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who are the allies of the Texas Democratic Party?

    <p>Labor unions and minority groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which groups are allied with the Republican Party?

    <p>Business interests and religious organizations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name an example of an ideological party.

    <p>Libertarian Party</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ideology is embraced by the Republican Party and which by the Democratic Party?

    <p>Republican: conservatism; Democratic: liberalism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do third parties fail to win an election?

    <p>Lack of resources, limited recognition, and structural disadvantages.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If third parties fail to win an election, then why do they exist?

    <p>To represent specific ideologies and influence major party platforms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the Libertarian Party presidential candidate of the 2020 presidential election.

    <p>Jo Jorgensen</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are interest groups and why do they exist?

    <p>Interest groups are organizations that advocate for specific issues and influence public policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Texas League of Women Voters is an example of a kind of interest group.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which technique is most frequently used by interest groups?

    <p>Lobbying</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are examples of inside strategies used by interest groups?

    <p>Direct lobbying, providing research, and building coalitions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which state led the nation in terms of ex-legislators registered as lobbyists?

    <p>Texas</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Name the interest group that sponsored the case of Johnson v. Dallas, Texas.

    <p>American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Amicus Curiae brief?

    <p>A document submitted by a non-party to advise the court on a matter of law.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an iron triangle?

    <p>A stable relationship between interest groups, bureaucracies, and legislative committees.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How much can an individual contribute to federal candidates per election?

    <p>$2,800</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who do Texas voters nominate in their respective primary elections for presidential primaries?

    <p>Delegates pledged to candidates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Voting in Texas

    • People with higher levels of education, income, and age tend to vote more frequently.
    • The 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th Constitutional Amendments have expanded voting rights.
    • The Supreme Court case Guinn v. United States (1915) declared the grandfather clause unconstitutional.
    • The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote.
    • The federal government has used various tactics to achieve universal suffrage such as:
      • Passing legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965
      • Filing lawsuits
      • Utilizing executive orders
    • The Supreme Court case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board (2008) allows Texas to use state-issued photo IDs in elections.
    • SB5, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2018, includes various provisions related to voting, such as:
      • Requiring voters to submit a copy of their photo ID with their mail-in ballot application.
      • Restricting the number of days for early voting.
      • Prohibiting individuals from collecting and delivering absentee ballots.
      • Designating the Secretary of State as the sole authority to appoint the chair of the Election Integrity Unit.
      • Creating a commission on election integrity with the power to oversee election administration.
      • Expanding the use of electronic poll books.
      • Implementing new procedures for voter registration.
      • Establishing a database for tracking and addressing voter fraud.
      • Requiring election officials to maintain voter rolls with accurate data.
      • Enacting new requirements for voter registration drives.
    • The two federal court cases that forced the Texas Legislature to introduce SB5 were Veasey v. Abbott (2016) and League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry (2013).
    • Rank Choice Voting (RCV) allows voters to rank multiple candidates in order of preference. The candidate with the most first-place votes wins. If no candidate reaches a majority, the lowest-ranking candidate is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed based on the voters’ second choices.
    • Factors influencing voters' decisions:
      • Party affiliation: The most important factor for most voters.
      • Candidate characteristics: Voters consider qualities such as experience, competence, and personality.
      • Issues: Voters prioritize issues such as the economy, healthcare, and education.
    • Reasons for low voter turnout in Texas:
      • Voter apathy: Some citizens are simply uninterested in politics.
      • Low levels of political efficacy: Some citizens feel their votes don’t matter or that they lack the knowledge or skills to participate effectively.
      • Structural barriers to voting: Factors such as voter registration requirements, limited access to polling places, and long lines can discourage participation.
      • The state's traditional reliance on a single-day, in-person election process.
      • The state's relatively low population density and widespread rural areas.
      • Texas's political culture which has historically emphasized individualism and limited government.
    • In 2020, the use of early voting and voting by mail reached record highs. The COVID-19 pandemic likely influenced this trend.
    • To win a primary election in Texas, a candidate must secure a majority of the vote (50% plus one). If no candidate achieves a majority, a runoff election occurs between the top two candidates.
    • General elections take place in November of even-numbered years. The candidate receiving the most votes wins.
    • A political party aims to control government by electing its members to public office. Political parties advocate for specific policies and ideals. They also serve as a link between citizens and government.
    • Characteristics of American political parties:
      • Two-party system: Though other parties exist, the Democratic and Republican parties dominate.
      • Decentralized structure: Power is dispersed throughout the party.
      • Electoral focus: Emphasis on winning elections.
      • Pragmatism: Willingness to compromise and adapt to changing political circumstances.
    • American political parties lack unity at the national level due to internal divisions and factionalism.
    • Examples of temporary party organizations:
      • County Conventions: Held to choose delegates and develop policy resolutions.
      • State Conventions: Gathers representatives to adopt party platforms and rules, and propose amendments to the state constitution.
      • National Conventions: Nominates presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and establishes the party platform.
    • Party officials at the precinct, county, and state levels are chosen through elections.
    • The Chair of the Texas Republican Party is Matt Rinaldi., and the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party is * Gilberto Hinojosa.*
    • Each party's State Executive Committee in Texas (64 members) is selected by delegates at the State Convention.
    • Each Party's Precinct Convention is held on the first Saturday in March.
    • Each party also holds a county convention on the second Saturday in March to select delegates to attend the State Convention.
    • Functions of delegates at the State Convention during the Presidential Election year:
      • To choose the party's national delegates.
      • To draft the party's platform.
      • To elect the party's officers.
      • To consider and vote on resolutions related to the party's goals and policies.
    • Party platforms are finalized and adopted at the State Party Convention.
    • Political parties are found at various levels: local, state, and national.
    • Parties that challenged the Texas Democratic Party in the 19th century:
      • Greenback Party: Advocated for the use of paper money.
      • Populist Party: Promoted farmers' interests.
    • Reasons for the Democratic Party dominance in Texas from the Civil War to the 1980s:
      • The impact of Reconstruction and the post-Civil War era.
      • The rise of the cotton industry and the agricultural economy, which favored Democratic Party policies.
      • The growth of the labor movement.
      • The state's long-standing ties to the Democratic Party.
    • The first Texas Republican to win a statewide election since the Civil War was William Clements.
    • Ronald Reagan was the first Republican presidential nominee to win the popular vote in Texas while the Democratic Party was still the dominant party in the state.
    • Reasons for the Texas Democratic Party's decline in the early 1990s:
      • The emergence of conservative political forces in Texas.
      • The nationalization of politics, which led to the alignment of Texans with national political trends.
      • The decline of the traditional Democratic Party base in Texas, which was characterized by rural voters and blue-collar workers.
      • Changes in the state’s economic and social landscape.
      • The rise of the Christian Right in Texas politics.
      • The growing importance of the Republican Party’s support for free-market policies.
      • The Democrats’ failure to adapt to the changing political landscape.
    • Groups who realigned behind the Republican Party:
      • Business leaders: Sought lower taxes, reduced regulation, and support for free-market policies.
      • Urban professionals: Had concerns over social issues, such as abortion and gay rights, that aligned with the Republican Party.
      • Conservative evangelical Christians: Had strong ties to the Republican Party’s social and moral agenda.
    • In the Texas 36 congressional delegation, there are 23 Republicans, 13 Democrats.
    • The Texas State Senate has 18 Republicans and 13 Democrats.
    • Since 2003, Republicans have held a majority in the Texas House of Representatives.
    • The allies of the Texas Democratic Party:
      • Labor unions: Focus on workers' rights and economic justice.
      • Civil rights groups: Concern is with civil rights and social justice.
      • Environmental groups: Concerned about environmental policies.
    • Republican Party allies:
      • Conservative think tanks and advocacy groups: Advocate for free-market policies, limited government, and social conservatism.
      • Business and industry groups: Advocate for policies favorable to business interests.
      • Social conservative groups: Champion traditional social values and oppose government intervention in social issues.
    • An example of an ideological party is the Libertarian Party.
    • The Republican Party embraces a conservative ideology, while the Democratic Party follows a progressive or liberal ideology.
    • Third parties fail to win elections due to several factors:
      • The two-party system: The dominance of the Democratic and Republican parties creates hurdles for newcomers.
      • Lack of resources: Third parties often lack the financial backing and infrastructure of the major parties.
      • Difficulty in attracting and retaining voters: Third parties often struggle to gain widespread appeal.
      • The media's focus on the two major parties: Third parties receive limited coverage and attention.
      • Election laws: Laws governing elections can make it challenging for third-party candidates to gain a foothold.
    • Third parties may exist despite the failures of winning elections because:
      • They serve as a platform for alternative viewpoints: They offer a voice to those who feel unrepresented by the major parties.
      • They can influence the agenda of the major parties: They can force the major parties to address issues they might otherwise ignore.
      • They play a role in mobilizing voters: They encourage political participation by engaging those who feel disillusioned with the two-party system.
      • They can help to keep the major parties accountable: By challenging the status quo, they can contribute to a more dynamic and responsive political process.
    • The Libertarian Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2020 Presidential Election was Jo Jorgensen.
    • Interest groups are organizations that advocate for specific policies and interests. They exist because
      • They provide a means for individuals to collectively pursue their goals.
      • They can influence policy decisions by providing information, mobilizing voters, and lobbying policymakers.
      • They promote awareness of important issues.
    • The Texas League of Women Voters is an example of a public interest group.
    • Interest groups often use the following techniques:
      • Lobbying: Communicating with policymakers to influence their decisions.
      • Campaign contributions: Providing financial support to candidates.
      • Grassroots mobilization: Organizing citizens to contact policymakers.
      • Public education and advocacy: Raising public awareness about issues and advocating for specific policies.
    • Inside strategies employed by interest groups:
      • Direct lobbying: Meeting with policymakers to discuss issues.
      • Testifying at legislative hearings: Providing expert opinion on policy proposals.
      • Drafting legislation: Proposing bills and amendments.
      • Building relationships with government officials: Cultivating trust and influence.
    • Texas leads the nation in the number of ex-legislators registered as lobbyists.
    • The interest group that sponsored the case Johnson v. Dallas, Texas was the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
    • An Amicus Curiae brief is a legal document filed by a party not directly involved in a case, but who has a vested interest in the outcome. It provides the court with additional information and arguments.
    • An iron triangle is a mutually beneficial relationship among three groups:
      • A congressional committee: It is responsible for oversight over the policies.
      • An interest group: Works to influence policy decisions.
      • A government agency: Implements the policies.
    • Individuals can contribute a maximum of $2,900 to federal candidates per election.
    • In Presidential Primaries, Texas voters nominate delegates for each party’s National Convention. These delegates, in turn, cast their votes for the party's presidential nominee at the National Convention.

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    Description

    Explore the critical aspects of voting in Texas, including historical amendments and landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped electoral rights. This quiz covers the impact of education, income, and age on voting behavior, as well as the influence of legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and recent regulations introduced by SB5.

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