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POLS 207 DYER EXAM 2 (ACTUAL EXAM) WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND WELL ANSWERED ANSWERS
LATEST WELL GRADED A+ 2025 – 2026
Three types of political participation - ANSWERS--Conventional
Unconventional
Illegal
Conventional participation - ANSWERS--Voting, volunteering,
campaign donations, joining groups, running for office
Unconventional participation - ANSWERS--Sit-ins, demonstrations,
protests, boycotts
Illegal participation - ANSWERS--Assassination, terrorism, sabotage
What are some ways in which participants in politics differ from the
overall population? - ANSWERS--Older persons, Higher level of
education, "more at stake", married couples, high interest, greater
political efficacy
swing state residents
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Why would a person "rationally" choose to vote? - ANSWERS--To
receive direct personal and tangible benefits from the election of one
candidate versus another
What are some reasons people might still vote even if it seems
'irrational' to do so? - ANSWERS--Irrational voters vote out of a sense
of civic duty and commitment to democracy rather than a purely
rational basis.
Which types of elections is voter turnout highest? - ANSWERS--
Presidential elections and regular elections
Which types of elections is voter turnout lowest? - ANSWERS--Odd
year elections and local elections
What are some factors that might explain state differences in voter
turnout? - ANSWERS--- Political culture
- Socioeconomic factors
- Partisan competitiveness
- Media "calling" elections early
- Variation in state laws
African Americans - ANSWERS--Since 30s have favored democratic
candidates
Hispanics - ANSWERS--Diverse group with partisan differences in
voting, this demographic is the key to both parties' futures
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Asians - ANSWERS--More likely to register as independents
Women - ANSWERS--Traditionally have not participated at same rate
as men. This gap is closing. Women in office comprise 1/4 of state
legislators. Women are more likely to vote democrat
How do the voting habits and choices of younger voters compare to
those of older voters? - ANSWERS--- Younger voters fear being
"frozen out" of college education and home ownership
- Older voters have higher and more consistent turnout especially in
state, local politics and non-presidential election years
- 18-29 y/o more likely to vote democrat
- May agree on the "big problems" but not on priorities, causes, or
cures
What are some 'unconventional forms of political participation? How
do these try to influence public officials and public policy? -
ANSWERS--Unconventional participation is participation outside "the
system". Increasingly common at city and state levels.
Examples: Protesting
1. Public activities that bring attention to issues
2. Draw large amounts of attention to influence decision makers
What kind of powers do states have over how elections are run? -
ANSWERS--- State legislatures are in charge of drawing electoral
districts
POLS 207 DYER EXAM 2 (ACTUAL EXAM) WITH
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND WELL ANSWERED ANSWERS
LATEST WELL GRADED A+ 2025 – 2026
Three types of political participation - ANSWERS--Conventional
Unconventional
Illegal
Conventional participation - ANSWERS--Voting, volunteering,
campaign donations, joining groups, running for office
Unconventional participation - ANSWERS--Sit-ins, demonstrations,
protests, boycotts
Illegal participation - ANSWERS--Assassination, terrorism, sabotage
What are some ways in which participants in politics differ from the
overall population? - ANSWERS--Older persons, Higher level of
education, "more at stake", married couples, high interest, greater
political efficacy
swing state residents
,2|Page
Why would a person "rationally" choose to vote? - ANSWERS--To
receive direct personal and tangible benefits from the election of one
candidate versus another
What are some reasons people might still vote even if it seems
'irrational' to do so? - ANSWERS--Irrational voters vote out of a sense
of civic duty and commitment to democracy rather than a purely
rational basis.
Which types of elections is voter turnout highest? - ANSWERS--
Presidential elections and regular elections
Which types of elections is voter turnout lowest? - ANSWERS--Odd
year elections and local elections
What are some factors that might explain state differences in voter
turnout? - ANSWERS--- Political culture
- Socioeconomic factors
- Partisan competitiveness
- Media "calling" elections early
- Variation in state laws
African Americans - ANSWERS--Since 30s have favored democratic
candidates
Hispanics - ANSWERS--Diverse group with partisan differences in
voting, this demographic is the key to both parties' futures
, 3|Page
Asians - ANSWERS--More likely to register as independents
Women - ANSWERS--Traditionally have not participated at same rate
as men. This gap is closing. Women in office comprise 1/4 of state
legislators. Women are more likely to vote democrat
How do the voting habits and choices of younger voters compare to
those of older voters? - ANSWERS--- Younger voters fear being
"frozen out" of college education and home ownership
- Older voters have higher and more consistent turnout especially in
state, local politics and non-presidential election years
- 18-29 y/o more likely to vote democrat
- May agree on the "big problems" but not on priorities, causes, or
cures
What are some 'unconventional forms of political participation? How
do these try to influence public officials and public policy? -
ANSWERS--Unconventional participation is participation outside "the
system". Increasingly common at city and state levels.
Examples: Protesting
1. Public activities that bring attention to issues
2. Draw large amounts of attention to influence decision makers
What kind of powers do states have over how elections are run? -
ANSWERS--- State legislatures are in charge of drawing electoral
districts
