GOV 2 Test Notes PDF

GOV 2 TEST NOTES - 24th - prohibits the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes or other taxes on voters in federal elections - 26th - lowers the voting age to 18 years - 19th- grants women the right to vote - 15th- prohibits the federal and state govern...

GOV 2 TEST NOTES - 24th - prohibits the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes or other taxes on voters in federal elections - 26th - lowers the voting age to 18 years - 19th- grants women the right to vote - 15th- prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude Difference PACS between Super PACs - PACs: These committees can raise and spend limited amounts of money. They can contribute directly to candidates' campaigns, but there are strict limits on how much they can donate (e.g., $5,000 per candidate per election). - PACs: They can coordinate with candidates and their campaigns, as they can make direct contributions. - Super PACs: These can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from individuals, corporations, and unions. They cannot contribute directly to candidates but can spend freely on independent expenditures, like ads. - Super PACs: They must operate independently of candidates and cannot coordinate their spending or activities with any candidate’s campaign. - Federalist #10 : Essay written by James Madison, published in 1787 as part of the Federalist Papers. It addresses the issue of factions—groups of individuals united by shared interests or passions that could potentially undermine the stability and fairness of the government. - Super PAC 528 : Distribution for unlimited money - Committee 527 : tax exempted by the IRA for nominations, a type of organization in the United States that is primarily focused on influencing the election of candidates. (political appointments ) - Committee 501 : These groups are typically tax-exempt and can include a variety of nonprofit organizations, such as charitable, religious, educational, and advocacy organizations.can engage in some political lobbying and advocacy but are not primarily focused on political campaigns. - Dark money groups: refer to organizations that engage in political spending but do not disclose their donors. (example 501)  - What are minor parties? often referred to as third parties, are political parties in the United States that are not one of the two dominant parties—typically the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. While minor parties may not win major offices frequently, they contribute to the diversity of political discourse and can impact the major parties' platforms and priorities. - What are agents of socialization? : Are the individuals, groups, and institutions that influence personal attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, shaping how individuals learn and internalize the norms and values of their society. (schools,family,friends etc.) - What are the requirements to vote in Texas? - Be 18 by the day of registration - Resident or citizen of the United states for 20 sum days in TEXAS and the county you are fostered for the last 30 days( applies to the rest of the states) - Can't be a felon - Can't be mentally ill or deemed mentally incompetent - If you do your service as a felon you can vote - What are public broadcast services? : non-commercial broadcasting organizations that provide content intended to inform, educate, and entertain the public. These services are typically funded through government appropriations, viewer donations, and grants rather than commercial advertising. ( TV,PBS,Radio,etc) Why are Texas elections held in presidential election years? - Texas has its own schedule for different types of elections. (first tuesday of November) - Texas holds its primary elections in March of presidential election years. - Some local elections in Texas occur in May of odd-numbered years or during other cycles, which can lead to fewer high-profile races coinciding with presidential elections. - Various state and local offices may have staggered election cycles, meaning not all offices are up for election in presidential years. How do Texas rates compare to other states? - Texas has lower voting rates - Texas has more elections (less competitive) - Texas is the least educated state - Too many candidates - A swing state would have a higher turnout than Texas (ex Pennsylvania) How many votes is the popular vote? - To win the presidency in the United States, a candidate needs a majority of the Electoral College votes. There are a total of 538 electoral votes, so a candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes to win. How elections work in texas Primary Elections: Texas conducts primary elections in March, allowing registered party members to choose their candidates for the general election. Texas has open primaries, meaning voters can choose which party's primary to participate in without being registered with that party. Runoff Elections: If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote in a primary, a runoff election is held between the top two candidates. Residents must register to vote at least 30 days before an election. Registration can be done online, by mail, or in person. Early Voting: Texas allows early voting, typically starting 17 days before an election and ending 4 days before Election Day. Voters can cast their ballots at designated early voting locations. Election Day Voting: Voters can vote at their assigned polling places on Election Day. Texas uses electronic voting machines in many locations. Voters must present an acceptable form of photo ID when voting in person. Acceptable IDs include a Texas driver's license, U.S. passport, or military ID. If a voter does not have an ID, they can still vote by signing a declaration. Absentee Voting (Vote by Mail): Texans can vote by mail if they meet certain criteria, such as being over 65, having a disability, or being out of the county on Election Day. Voters must apply for a mail-in ballot in advance. Counting and Certification: After polls close, ballots are counted, and results are reported. Official results are certified by local election authorities after ensuring all ballots are accounted for. Electoral College: In presidential elections, Texas has 38 electoral votes, which are allocated based on the statewide popular vote. The candidate receiving the most votes in Texas typically receives all of its electoral votes.