Which type of organization allows individuals to run for office under the organization's name?
a political party
Political parties have a nomination process to determine which candidates will run for office under the party's name.
What role do parties play in deciding which candidates will appear on the ballot under a party's name?
Parties have very little direct control over who can run under a party's name, though they do tend to be involved in recruiting potential candidates to do so.
Parties have very little direct control over who can run under a party's name, though party leaders and rank-and-file members alike may be involved in recruiting candidates.
How might a political party leverage public debate in its favor?
by framing an issue in a way that is favorable to the party's position
Parties may attempt to highlight particular features of an issue in order to influence voters and powerful individuals to approach the issue in a specific (and usually favorable) way.
Which of the following groups works within a party at the government level to set priorities and develop a legislative strategy?
party caucuses
Caucuses are meetings of party members within the legislature to select priorities and coordinate a strategy for developing and passing legislation.
How do political parties link state governments to national governments?
Parties often serve as career networks that allow candidates and political professionals to progress from state-level to national-level politics.
Parties link state governments to national governments in many ways, such as by serving as a career network and allowing candidates and political professionals to progress from state-level to national-level politics.
Why should political parties ideally be "participatory vehicles"? Choose the BEST answer.
Having politically involved members is important for determining both the shape and leadership of a party.
Political parties should ideally be participatory vehicles because they gain shape and potentially leadership by encouraging their members to get involved in politics.
Which of the following is a requirement to be able to vote in the state of Texas?
You must be a citizen who is at least 18 years of age by Election Day.
In order to vote in Texas, you must be a citizen who is at least 18 years of age by Election Day, and you must register to vote at least 30 days prior to the election.
nonpartisan
The absence of involvement or influence from political parties. Nonpartisan elections are those in which the use of party labels on the ballot or in campaigning is prohibited by law.
Have young candidates ever been successful at running for public office in the state of Texas?
Yes, several young candidates with little experience have fared well in Texas elections.
Several young candidates—like Ben Barnes, Lance Gooden, and Patrick Rose—had little experience but fared well in Texas elections.
precinct
The smallest electoral unit into which voters are grouped for the purposes of voting, vote tabulation, and party organizing. Each county is divided into one or more precincts, with a total of more than 8,000 across Texas.
If you wished to become involved in party politics by running for a party nomination, which of the following elective offices would be the BEST place to start?
state representative from a smaller district
It is typically easiest to win a nomination when running for a state-level office (such as senator or representative) from a smaller district.
How much power do party organizations generally have over candidates?
very little power, as they do not exercise centralized control over nominations or campaign funding
Party organizations have very little power over candidates, as they do not exercise centralized control over nominations or campaign funding.
Which of the following connects district- and state-level party organizations to their members?
party precincts
Party members working at the precinct level connect district- and state-level party organizations to their members and individual members to each other.
How does one become an election judge for a general election?
The county commissioners court appoints a presiding judge and an alternate judge.
party system
The relatively stable arrangement of voters, interest groups, and regions in the major parties over a fixed period of time.
The history of political parties can be thought of as which of the following?
a series of long, fairly stable periods that are interrupted by brief episodes of dramatic change
The history of political parties can be thought of as a series of long, fairly stable periods that are interrupted by brief episodes of dramatic change. The arrangement of voters, interest groups, and regions that forms during a period of stability is called a party system.
realignments
Significant and enduring shifts in the party loyalties of the electorate that are often associated with a critical election, in which new issues arise and public policy changes decisively.
critical election
An election marked by significant shifts in established voting patterns.
A shift in the makeup and power of political parties, often marked by a critical election, is called what?
a political realignment
Political realignments are significant and enduring shifts in the makeup and power of political parties. They are often associated with a critical election, in which new issues arise and public policy changes decisively.
Which of the following patterns is characteristic of the succession of party systems in Texas?
One party tends to dominate elections for long periods of time.
In Texas's history, major events like the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the civil rights era have created the tendency for one party to dominate elections for a long time.
Populism
A term broadly used to describe any movement having popular backing and perceived to be acting in the interests of ordinary people.
Classical liberalism
A political philosophy that places a high value on individual freedom, based on a belief in natural rights that exist independent of government. Classical liberalism is often at the root of opposition to government involvement in social issues, as it emphasizes reliance on private initiatives or the free market to determine the best outcomes.
Social conservatism
A disposition or political outlook that favors tradition and preservation of the status quo in social customs and public policy.
Confederacy
The secessionist government of Southern states that formed in 1861 in reaction to the election of anti-slavery candidate Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. presidency.
What was the central issue in Texas during the pre-party era?
opposition to the leadership and government in Mexico
During the pre-party era, when Texas was an independent nation, the external conflict with Mexico superseded any other internal political conflict.
Which of the following describes classical liberalism?
a philosophy that places a high value on the liberty of individuals to exercise their freedoms, so long as their freedoms do not restrict the liberties of others
Classical liberalism is a political philosophy that places a high value on the liberty of individuals to exercise their freedoms, so long as their freedoms do not restrict the liberties of others. This philosophy came to Texas with independent-minded citizens of Mexican descent.
Which of the following statements is true regarding Texas's early years in the Union?
Texas was deeply divided regarding slavery.
While many Texans viewed slavery as essential to the state's economy, many others were also Unionists, who as a group both desired continued ties to the United States and in many cases favored abolition.
Reconstruction
The period between 1865 and 1877 when former Confederate states were occupied by federal troops during the process of rewriting their constitutions, rebuilding from the war, and being readmitted to the Union.
What was Edmund J. Davis's administration known for?
a devotion to public works
Edmund J. Davis's administration was known for a devotion to public works. The administration launched a public education system and constructed extensive roads, railroads, bridges, and government buildings.
What political event led to the end of Reconstruction?
the Compromise of 1877
The Compromise of 1877 led to the end of Reconstruction and resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876.
How did the Democrats maintain their hold on power throughout Texas?
They used patronage systems in which urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immigrant blocs.
The Democrats maintained their hold on power throughout Texas by using racially motivated appeals to voters, patronage systems in which urban bosses directed the voting choices of mostly immigrant blocs, and outright suppression of Black voters.
What is one trend that occurs when one party is dominant in state or national politics?
Divisions within the dominant party tend to become more important than divisions between the parties.
One trend that occurs when one party is dominant in state or national politics is that divisions within the dominant party tend to become more important than divisions between the parties.
What party posed the most significant challenge to the post-Reconstruction Democratic Party?
the People's Party
The People's Party, a third party that grew out of a group of farmer and rancher cooperatives, posed the most significant challenge to the post-Reconstruction Democratic Party.
literacy tests
Exams that Black voters were required to pass before being allowed to vote, with variations in the difficulty of the tests used to target African Americans.
grandfather clauses
Laws that based a current voter's eligibility on that of their grandparents, which of course rendered former slaves and their offspring ineligible in most cases.
poll taxes
A tax of a fixed amount per person levied as a condition of voting. By making voting more costly, poll taxes served to restrict the size of the electorate, particularly among low-income and racial minority groups. The passage of the 24th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1964 banned all poll taxes in federal elections, and a U.S. Supreme Court decision extended the ban to state and local elections two years later.
Who benefited the most from Jim Crow laws in Texas?
Democrats
Jim Crow laws, which included things like whites-only primaries, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and poll taxes, primarily benefited Texas Democrats by making it harder for African Americans—who generally supported the Republican Party at the time—to vote.
progressive movement
A broadly based political, social, and business reform movement that arose as a response to the effects of industrialization after the Civil War and reached its height in the early 20th century. Texas progressivism had a decidedly populist streak that sought to defend the citizenry from the evils of "bigness"—i.e., railroads and other corporations, the wealthy, and even government.
While the Democratic Party was dominant within Texas, the Republican Party dominated national politics. Which president brought the Democratic Party to national dominance?
Franklin D. Roosevelt
First elected to the U.S. presidency in 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt brought the Democratic Party to national dominance.
Yellow Dog Democrats
A term used to describe any staunch Democratic loyalist.
Where did the term "Yellow Dog Democrat" come from?
Democratic voters acquired this moniker when they vowed that they would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican.
The term "Yellow Dog Democrat" came to be applied to Democratic voters who vowed that they would vote for a yellow dog before voting for a Republican.
What were the two major pieces of civil rights legislation signed into law under President Lyndon Johnson?
the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act
President Lyndon Johnson signed into law both the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding voting during the civil rights era?
For the first time, many Southern Democrats voted for non-Democratic Party candidates in the 1968 presidential election.
Many Southern Democrats voted for non-Democratic Party candidates for the first time in the 1968 presidential election. Many of these voters who switched parties never voted for a Democratic presidential candidate again.
Why was voter participation higher in the Democratic primaries than in the general elections during the 1950s?
Republicans didn't stand a chance in the general elections.
Because Republican candidates couldn't realistically challenge any Democratic candidate in a general election in Texas, Democratic primaries usually decided who would end up winning office. As a result, most Texas voters in the 1950s focused their attentions on the Democratic primary rather than the general election.
Apart from internal divisions in the Democratic Party, what contributed to the growth of the Republican Party in Texas?
the growth of Texas suburbs and the migration of people in from other states
The growth of Texas suburbs and the migration of people in from other states contributed to the growth of the Republican Party.
Polarization
Polarization as a state refers to the extent to which opinions on an issue are opposed in relation to some theoretical maximum. Polarization as a process refers to the increase in such opposition over time.
What does polarization in politics mean?
Two opposing or conflicting principles, tendencies, or points of view exist on a topic, with the majority of opinions being at extremes.
Polarization means that two opposing or conflicting principles, tendencies, or points of view exist on a topic, with the majority of opinions being at extremes.
What did Republicans do in 2003 to address the disparity between Republicans' success in statewide races and their minority presence in the U.S. House of Representatives?
Governor Rick Perry called a special session of the legislature to draft redistricting legislation that appeared to give Republicans the chance to gain many more House seats.
To address the disparity between Republicans' success in statewide races and their minority presence in the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor Rick Perry called a special session of the legislature to draft redistricting legislation that appeared to give Republicans the chance to gain many more House seats.
political ideology
A worldview that links together policy preferences over time and across multiple policy domains based on an abstract view of the role of government in society.
Which of the following would the Republican Party MOST likely support?
limited government involvement in economic activity
Republicans tend to support less government involvement and regulation in the economy.
Based on Figures 2 and 3, what can we conclude about ideological identification among Texans?
The ideological identification of Texans has become more sorted in recent years.
According to the data in Figures 2 and 3, Texans' ideological identification has become more sorted in recent years, with more Democrats identifying as liberal and more Republicans identifying as conservative than in the previous decade.
How do Republicans in Texas compare to Republicans at the national level?
Texas Republicans are more conservative and their policy models influence national Republican Party policies.
Based on polling, the Republican Party in Texas is more conservative, and policies in the state have served as a model for policies nationally.
Which of the following groups is LEAST likely to view Texas government as a model for other states?
Democrats
Democrats are least likely to view Texas government as a model for other states.
Which of the following policy ideas do Democrats in Texas support the MOST?
greater funding for public education and health care
According to the data in Figure 5 from February 2019, Democrats in Texas have generally supported restoring or increasing funding for education and health care more than they have supported the other top priorities.
What do the exit poll results from the 2020 Texas Democratic primary reveal about ideological differences in the Texas Democratic Party?
The Texas Democratic Party is becoming more liberal, but some ideological differences remain.
The exit poll results in Figure 6 show broader support for progressive candidates, like Bernie Sanders, which means the Texas Democratic Party is becoming more liberal and supportive of progressive policies. However, ideological identification is varied among Texas Democrats, with the party split between very liberal, somewhat liberal, and moderate or conservative voters.
Why does support for third-party candidates rarely translate into votes?
Voters who express support for third parties often revert to the major parties on Election Day.
Those who express support for third parties when polled often end up voting for either Democrats or Republicans when Election Day arrives (if they turn out to vote at all).
In 2016 and 2018, which racial/ethnic group was the LEAST represented in the electorate relative to their share of the state population?
Hispanic/Latino
In both 2016 and 2018, Hispanics and Latinos made up 16 percent less of the state's electorate than their proportion of the overall population, making them the most underrepresented group among Texas voters. Comparatively, whites made up 16-17 percent more of the electorate than their share of the state population.
What are the political implications of recent demographic trends in Texas?
The number of potential new Democratic voters is booming, but low voter turnout and mixed support for Greg Abbott among Latinos has prevented more Democratic victories.
The rapid growth of populations of minority groups in Texas means an expanding source of potential Democratic voters; however, low voter turnout and relatively high levels of support for Greg Abbott among Latinos has thus far thwarted Democrats' hopes of winning more elections.
Which of the following accurately describes the election results by area type in the 2016 and 2018 elections?
In both elections, urban areas had the narrowest margins of voters between Republican and Democratic candidates.
In both elections, the narrowest margins between Republican and Democratic voters were in urban areas. The difference was 11 percent in 2016 and 6 percent in 2018.
Why are suburban areas becoming increasingly Democratic?
The cost of living in urban areas has driven younger, more diverse people to the suburbs.
Younger and more diverse populations tend to be more Democratic and are moving to the suburbs due to the higher cost of living in cities.
Which party enjoys the advantage of organizational strength in Texas?
the Republican Party
Organizational strength is an important advantage for Republicans in Texas. The party has maintained significant financial resources and a strong web of organizational support.
What do recent election results indicate about the future of the Democratic Party in Texas?
The party will likely experience continued electoral gains because it is attracting more resources and better candidates.
The Democratic Party experienced some electoral gains in 2016 and 2018, which in turn helps to attract more funding and better candidates. This improved organizational strength typically correlates with greater electoral success.
political culture
A set of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors relating to government and politics that develop through the process of political socialization.
Which of the following BEST describes political culture?
a set of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that relate to government and politics
Political culture is a set of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that relate to government and politics and are developed over time through the process of political socialization.
Why do elected leaders and other political actors use elements of political culture to assist them in their efforts?
They can use political culture to influence voters.
Elected leaders and other political actors invoke elements of political culture knowing that these elements resonate with voters and can possibly influence how they vote.
What is political socialization?
the way that people acquire beliefs, values, and habits of thought and action related to government, politics, and society
Political socialization is a process that happens over our lifetime. It is how people acquire beliefs, values, and habits of thought and action related to government, politics, and society—in other words, it helps form our political culture.
In what way do parents usually influence their children's political socialization?
through subtle comments and body language regarding different actors and influences in society
Parents usually influence their children's political socialization through subtle comments and body language regarding different actors and influences in society.
What role do public schools play in the process of political socialization?
They teach political history and promote patriotism and civic engagement.
Public schools teach accepted histories of the state and nation while promoting patriotism and generally accepted forms of political participation.
What role do religious agents play in the process of political socialization?
They tend to reproduce society's core values.
Religious agents are embedded in the values infrastructure of a society and tend to reproduce the core values of that society.
What is classical liberalism?
the valuing of political arrangements that permit the fullest exercise of individual liberty without unreasonably restricting the liberties of others
Classical liberalism values political arrangements that allow for individual freedom—it encourages people to exercise their individual rights and liberty as long as they don't restrict the liberties of others.
By how much did the share of Texas Democrats identifying as liberal increase between 2010 and 2020?
20 percent
In February 2010, around 44 percent of Democrats identified as liberal. In 2020, that number went up to 64 percent. That means there was a 20 percent increase in the number of Democrats who identify as liberal.
Which political ideology places a particular value on traditional religious beliefs and practices?
social conservatism
Social conservatives place a particular value on traditional religious beliefs and practices. They also support maintaining certain hierarchies in social relations.
Which political ideology is associated primarily with the Republican Party today?
social conservatism
Social conservatism is associated primarily with the Republican Party today.
Which political ideology is concerned primarily with the well-being of ordinary people?
populism
Populism is concerned primarily with the well-being of ordinary people, and emphasizes the popular will.
Reconstruction
The period between 1865 and 1877 when former Confederate states were occupied by federal troops during the process of rewriting their constitutions, rebuilding from the war, and being readmitted to the Union.
pragmatism
A way of thinking that emphasizes facts and practical matters over idealistic thoughts of what could or should be.
Which political group dominated elections at all levels in Texas for nearly a century following Reconstruction?
the Democratic Party
The Democratic Party dominated elections at all levels in Texas for nearly a century following Reconstruction.
Texas's size and history, as well as its political and cultural variety, have contributed to the development of what might be called a "pragmatic center." Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the pragmatic center in Texas?
It tends to reflect relatively conservative, pro-business policy preferences.
The pragmatic center in Texas tends to reflect relatively conservative, pro-business policy preferences and has been shaped by the state's size and history.
Which of the following is a characteristic of the political climate in Texas after the civil rights movement?
a comparatively low level of state-funded social services, which are kept minimal by a general hostility toward progressive taxation
Texas has had a comparatively low level of state-funded social services, which are kept minimal by a general hostility toward progressive taxation. Other characteristics of the political climate include conservative social policies and support for the private sector.
Which of the following is TRUE of indigenous groups in early Texas history?
They consisted of a range of subgroups and cultures, which makes it difficult to generalize their contributions to Texas politics.
"Indigenous groups in early Texas history" refers to the large number of varying tribes, families, clusters, and other subgroups that migrated to the Texas territory over time. Many of these groups had different cultures, ranging from aggressive to peaceful, which makes it difficult to generalize their contributions.
Direct Spanish influence on the culture of Texas is overshadowed by which of the following related cultural influences?
Mexican culture
Culturally, the original Spanish influence was much more limited than the eventual influence of Texans of Mexican descent who contributed to the founding of the state.
What contributed to the growth of the mestizo population in Texas in the early 1800s?
the lack of Spanish women exploring or occupying the area
Because few Spanish women traveled to the Americas during the time of Spanish exploration and occupation, it was common for Spanish males to mix with indigenous females.
Which of the following encouraged Anglo Americans to populate the Texas territory in large numbers?
the Mexican government's empresario policy
Anglo Americans were encouraged to populate the Texas territory in large numbers by the Mexican government's empresario policy, which awarded land grants to settlers.
Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding African Americans in early Texas history?
They were involved in Reconstruction politics and helped shape the current state constitution.
During the Reconstruction era of the late 19th century, 43 African Americans served in the state legislature, several of whom also participated in the constitutional convention of 1875.
Which ethnic group experienced the slowest population growth rate in Texas from 2010 to 2018?
Anglos
The Anglo population grew by only 3.8 percent from 2010 to 2018, making this group the slowest-growing population in the state.
In 2018, Anglos made up what percentage of Texas's population?
a little over 40 percent
Anglos made up 40.3 percent of Texas's population in 2018.
Which of the following is true of Texas's population growth?
The increasing share of the population made up of ethnic minority groups is poised to alter a political culture historically dominated by Anglos.
The increasing share of the population made up of ethnic minority groups is poised to alter a political culture based on the historical dominance of politics and society by Anglos, who are no longer the majority ethnic group.
Which of the following statements is true of public opinion?
When survey researchers measure an attitude, they are really measuring an individual's predispositions and information.
When survey researchers measure an attitude, they are really measuring an individual's preexisting beliefs and opinions. Measuring attitudes with public opinion polls helps us see connections between people's present views and the long-standing political culture.
What happened when public opinion in Texas began to show more tolerance of same-sex relationships?
The polling results were greeted with surprise and skepticism.
direct election
A system of choosing officeholders in which voters directly cast ballots for a particular person.
primary election
An election in which the party electorate chooses which candidates will run for office under the party's label.
Open primaries
A type of primary election in which voters are not required to declare a party affiliation and are permitted to vote in the party primary of their choice.
Closed primaries
A type of primary election in which participation in each party's primary is restricted to those voters formally affiliated with that party.
Blanket primaries
A type of primary election in which voters are presented with all of the candidates for each office irrespective of party. The candidates from each party with the highest votes then move on to the general election.
What is the purpose of a primary?
to allow party members to choose the party's nominees for an upcoming general election
There are three different types of primaries in the United States. Their purpose is to allow party members to choose the party's nominees for an upcoming general election.
Which of the following is true of an open primary?
An open primary does not require voters to declare the party with which they are affiliated.
An open primary does not require voters to declare their party affiliation before voting, while a closed primary does.
runoff primary
An election held between the top two vote-getters in a primary when none of the candidates received a majority (more than 50 percent) of the original votes cast.
general election
A type of election in which all registered voters can make a final choice between parties' nominees for each office on the ballot. The winner—usually chosen by plurality rule—fills the office.
What happens if no candidate wins a majority of votes in a Texas primary election?
There is a runoff election between the two candidates with the most votes to decide who will run in the general election.
If no candidate wins a majority of votes in a primary election, a runoff election is held between the two candidates with the most votes to decide who will run in the general election.
What is the political effect of holding gubernatorial and other executive branch office elections in Texas in off years?
It insulates the election of statewide offices from national politics.
Holding gubernatorial and other executive branch office elections in Texas in off years helps insulate the election of statewide offices from national politics.
nonpartisan
Elected offices for which the use of party labels on the ballot or in campaigning is proscribed by law. Judicial or local elections are often nonpartisan.
What type of election is held when a legislative or congressional seat becomes vacant before the end of the current occupant's term?
a special election
When a legislative or congressional seat becomes vacant before the end of the current occupant's term, a special election is held to fill the vacancy. Special elections are also held for proposed constitutional amendments and city council seats.
What is the effect of nonpartisan elections (such as city council elections) where party affiliation is not indicated on the ballot?
Voters have a difficult time choosing between candidates.
Nonpartisan elections make it more difficult for voters to choose between candidates because they've typically received little information about each candidate before the election.
In order to be listed on the Republican or Democratic primary ballot in Texas, what must a candidate do?
either collect signatures on a nominating petition or pay a filing fee
In order to be listed on the Republican or Democratic primary ballot in Texas, a candidate must either collect signatures on a nominating petition or pay a filing fee.
Major and minor parties are treated differently under Texas law. What is the difference between a major party and a minor party?
Minor parties are those parties that received less than 20 percent of the vote in the previous general election.
Minor parties are those parties that received less than 20 percent of the vote in the previous general election.
What must an independent candidate do to be listed on the general election ballot?
collect signatures on a nominating petition
In order to be listed on the general election ballot, an independent candidate must collect signatures on a nominating petition that add up to a certain percentage of the total number of votes cast in the previous general election.
Which of these people would NOT be eligible to vote?
a convicted felon whose sentence has not been completed
A convicted felon whose sentence has not been completed is not eligible to vote.
Which of the following describes a difference in voting requirements between Texas and the New England states of Maine and New Hampshire?
Texans have to register to vote earlier.
While voters in New Hampshire and Maine can register on the day of the election, Texans must register to vote at least 30 days before the election.
On average, how does Texas's voter participation rate compare to the national rate?
Texas has a lower voter participation rate than the national rate.
Historically, Texas's voter participation rate has been lower than the national rate.
Which of the following individuals would be MOST likely to vote, according to statistical trends on demographic data and voter turnout?
a 70-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree
According to Census Bureau data, increased voter turnout correlates strongly with increases in age and level of education. Therefore, of the options presented, a 70-year-old woman with a bachelor's degree is most likely to vote.
Why did the majority of Americans judge John F. Kennedy the winner of the first televised presidential debate in 1960?
Most Americans watched the debate on television, and Kennedy looked fresher and more vibrant than Nixon.
The majority of Americans watched the first televised debate on television, and felt that Kennedy won because he looked fresher and more vibrant than Nixon.
What is the most important task for candidates to accomplish during a campaign?
Candidates must motivate voters to show up and vote.
To win an election, candidates and their campaigns must motivate voters to show up and vote.
What are swing voters?
voters who are not committed to either party
Swing voters are a small segment of voters that campaigns try to sway in their favor because they are generally not committed to either party.
What is data mining?
the collection and analysis of massive amounts of information
Data mining is the collection and analysis of massive amounts of data, used as a means of discovering patterns and associations in voter habits that are not readily apparent. In politics, data mining is used to identify the types of voters who contribute to, vote for, or volunteer on campaigns.
How did microtargeting help the 2000 Bush campaign?
It helped the campaign identify the best candidates to receive mail and phone calls making the case for Bush.
Microtargeting helped Republicans sort through the enormous pool of potential voters to identify those who would definitely vote for Bush and those who would definitely not, and then sort through the remainder to identify the best candidates to receive mail and phone calls making the case for Bush.
Why are state and local campaigns still relying on older methods of campaigning such as door-to-door canvassing and direct mail?
State and local races are small in scale and lack the resources to pay the high costs of analytics-driven targeting.
At the state and local levels, campaigns still frequently rely on older methods of campaigning due to the small scale of these races and the historically high costs of developing and executing analytics-driven targeting.
At a basic level, what is the primary goal of most political advertising? Choose the BEST answer.
achieving name recognition for a candidate
Simply getting the candidate's name before the public is a fundamental goal of political advertising, as name recognition is critical in politics. Often it is a deciding factor in local or "down-ballot" races.
What is one benefit of using short online videos in campaigns?
Online videos are less expensive than television advertisements.
Online videos cost significantly less than airtime on television.
A Republican candidate running for office in Texas would be MOST likely to seek an endorsement from which of the following groups?
the NRA
In "deep red" Texas, the support of the NRA is important for Republican candidates for many reasons, not least of which is that the NRA has become a stand-in for the cultural opposition to government regulation and the exercise of individual rights that owning a gun embodies.
"Pappy" O'Daniel, the governor of Texas from 1941 to 1949, helped make what practice common?
using radio addresses to help voters feel as though they knew him
"Pappy" O'Daniel, the governor of Texas from 1941 to 1949, used radio addresses to connect with voters, helping them feel as though they knew him personally.
In what way(s) have data and research taken over specific functions of campaigns?
They are used to help a candidate get to know individuals or groups.
One of the ways in which data and research have taken over specific functions of campaigns is in helping a candidate get to know individuals or groups.
How do campaigns typically use successful poll results?
to establish their candidate's credibility
Campaigns use successful poll results to establish their candidate's credibility or increase the impression of their candidate's inevitability.
How might voters exposed to poll results be influenced by the "bandwagon effect"?
Undecided voters are likely to cast their ballots for the candidate they think is the probable winner.
The bandwagon effect is likely to cause undecided voters to cast their ballots for the candidate they think will be the probable winner, based on poll results.
Since voters might be exposed to the bandwagon effect, what do some argue that news stations ought to do?
stick to reporting what is actually happening on Election Day rather than making projections
Since voters might be exposed to the bandwagon effect, some argue that news stations should stick to reporting what is actually happening on Election Day rather than making projections.
How did total spending on campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives change from 1998 to 2018?
Spending almost tripled.
The total cost of campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives nearly tripled between 1998 and 2018, increasing from $571 million to over $1.5 billion.
Which statement BEST explains why overall contributions to political campaigns in Texas were higher in 2014 than in 2016?
The race for governor significantly increases the total amount of money spent on political campaigns.
Which of the following has been a factor in the increasing party competition that has inflated the costs of campaigning in Texas?
Demographic shifts in Texas have raised the possibility of a Democratic resurgence.
Demographic shifts in Texas, which have raised the possibility of a Democratic resurgence, have been a factor in the rise in party competition.
According to the New York Times, what is one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees?
30-second TV commercials
According to the Times, 30-second TV commercials are still one of the most valuable tools of campaigns and political action committees despite increasing competition from digital alternatives.
Federal Election Commission (FEC)
An independent regulatory agency established in 1975 to regulate campaign finance through enforcement of campaign finance laws and disclosure of contributors and contributions in federal elections.
Texas Ethics Commission (TEC)
A statewide regulatory authority established in 1991 by constitutional amendment and assigned a range of responsibilities, including providing guidance on Texas ethics laws, collecting financial disclosure statements from government officials, and recommending salaries for the lieutenant governor, speaker of the Texas House, and Texas Legislature.
Which two authorities regulate campaign financing for elections in Texas?
the Federal Election Commission and the Texas Ethics Commission
The Federal Election Commission and the Texas Ethics Commission regulate campaign financing for elections in Texas.
When did modern campaign finance regulation begin in the United States?
in 1972, with the adoption of the Federal Election Campaign Act
The adoption of the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1972 began the modern regulation of campaign finance.
Sharpstown stock fraud scandal
A scandal that led to a wave of reform in Texas politics surrounding the reporting and disclosure of campaign funds.
Which organization filed charges against the individuals involved in the Sharpstown stock fraud scandal?
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
The Sharpstown stock fraud scandal not only compelled Texas to take steps toward campaign finance reform, it also led the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to file charges against the individuals involved.
Which of the following did the 1991 law creating the Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) fail to do?
place a cap on campaign contributions
Although the 1991 law establishing the TEC required lobbyists and legislators to file contribution reports, it failed to place a cap on campaign contributions.
Why has the Texas Ethics Commission faced severe criticism over its enforcement of campaign laws?
The TEC does not sufficiently investigate complaints of violations.
While the TEC is empowered to hear complaints, it has faced severe criticism for not sufficiently investigating complaints of campaign violations.
What was the effect of the Citizens United decision?
The decision let individuals, unions, and corporations donate unlimited amounts anonymously to political action committees.
Prior to 2010, individuals, unions, and corporations were forbidden from donating amounts over $5,000 to a political action committee (PAC), but the Citizens United ruling loosened this restriction, allowing donors to contribute unlimited amounts anonymously to a PAC.
The reasoning behind the Citizens United v. FEC decision has to do with the way the United States understands the constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens and interests to free speech. Why does making political donations fall in this category?
Making donations is understood to be petitioning government.
Making donations is understood to be petitioning government and therefore falls under the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the First Amendment.