Pols 207 EXAM LATEST VERSION EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |AGRADE

Pols 207 EXAM LATEST VERSION EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |AGRADE Characterize the range and types of political participation in the US. List the types that are most and least frequent. - Answer- voting talking about politics joining civic or political organizations attending public meetings communicating with representatives contributing resources campaigning initiating and repealing laws seeking public office Describe how and why political scientists often focus on one type of political participation in their research. - Answer- focus on voting: - key role in theories of democracy - greatest form of participation - lots of data availability Compare and contrast referendum and initiative as forms of citizen involvement in law making. List several pros and cons to these types of elections. - Answer- referendum: when voters either approve or disapprove a certain act of their legislatures initiative: residents propose changed or new laws and put them on the ballot, then pass or defeat them without legislature or executive intervention Discuss the range of voter turnout for presidential elections around the world and the place that the US holds in rankings of that measure. - Answer- Turnout around the world ranges from 98% (Rwanda) to 22% (Haiti) with the US having a 54% turnout (tied with Nigeria, Zambia, and Austria) Describe the US national turnout during in Presidential elections and in gubernatorial and US House elections that are held in Presidential election years, as well as those that occur between Presidential elections. Explain the differences. - Answer- Turnout in general is higher in Presidential years than non-presidential years Overall, turnout is less in 2012 than 1960, with a slight uptick in the later years Characterize the turnout in Texas gubernatorial elections from 1970 to 2010 in comparison to average state turnouts during those same years. - Answer- Turnout has ranged from 10 to 18% in Texas, while the national average is 30-50% Compare and contrast %VAP, %VEP, and %Registered as measures of voter turnout with respect to size, accuracy, advantages, and disadvantages. - Answer- Voters eligible is a smaller group than voting age, but they represent a higher percentage of the national turnout. Explain the range of state policies on whether and when convicted felons can vote. Discuss why this is a partisan issue between the two political parties. - Answer- 11 states: may lose vote permanently 20 states: vote restored after term of incarceration, parole, and probation 4 states: vote restored after term of incarceration and parole 13 states: vote restored after term of incarceration 2 states: unrestricted Characterize how Texas ranks in voter turnout from and explain the periodic movement that occurs in turnout measures over time. - Answer- Texas is at the bottom of the pack Describe how different voter turnout measures can be accidentally or intentionally confusing and used to misrepresent changes in turnout over time. - Answer- the denominator makes all the difference (larger denominator = smaller percentage) therefore a larger base of people (ie: voting age) produces a smaller turnout percentage than a smaller base of people (ie: registered voters). based on this, politicians can use registered voter stats to inflate turnout, and VAP/VEP to deflate turnout. Why not always use registered voters stat and be done with it? - Answer- between state comparisons can be off due to high variation in registration processes voter registration rolls are sometimes bloated with previous voters Discuss Texas voter turnout for state constitutional amendment elections from 1993 to 2011 and the pattern that largely exists between turnout and approval rate. - Answer- turnout rate has decreased lower turnout is typically related to success in passing amendments List and describe the 5 key factors that influence voters to participate or skip an election. - Answer- socioeconomic status - lower incomes vote less interparty competition declining - some voters don't vote because their party's candidates could never win political culture makes status quo seem unchangeable legal requirements are prcoess gate-keepers election exhaustion - primary and general elections each year + special/muni elections Describe the US Constitution's protection of any citizen's right to vote. - Answer- 15th amendment: The right of citizens of the US to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude