Question 1

In Texas, special elections are used to fill vacancies in office and to give approval to borrow money.

Accepted Answer

Special elections can be called by the governor to fill vacancies in office, such as when a member of the Texas Legislature resigns or dies while in office. Additionally, special elections may be used to seek voter approval for the issuance of bonds or other types of debt by political subdivisions such as school districts or cities.

Question 2

Primary elections in Texas are generally held in March.

Accepted Answer

Primary elections in Texas are generally held on the first Tuesday in March of even-numbered years.

Question 3

Which of the following is the largest expense for most campaigns?

Accepted Answer

Media ads are typically the largest expense for most campaigns. This includes TV, radio, print, and digital advertising.

Question 4

One possible solution to reforming redistricting in Texas is to

Accepted Answer

Taking the process of redistricting away from the legislature would remove the conflict of interest that currently exists. Currently, the party in power has the ability to draw district lines in a way that favors their party and politicians, rather than the needs and desires of the voters. By giving the responsibility to an independent commission, the district lines could be drawn in a way that is more fair and representative of the population.

Question 5

Candidates for state office and lobbyists have to file quarterly reports detailing their spending and donations with which agency?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Ethics Commission is responsible for tracking and disclosing campaign finance information, including reports of expenditures and donations from candidates for state office and lobbyists. The other options (A, B, and D) are not relevant to campaign finance reporting.

Question 6

General elections in Texas are always held on the third Tuesday of November.

Accepted Answer

General elections in Texas are not always held on the third Tuesday of November. The date can vary depending on the year and any special circumstances.

Question 7

Political campaigns tend to spend the most money on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Political campaigns tend to spend the most money on media advertising as it allows them to reach the largest number of voters and promote their message.

Question 8

The _______________ requirement was included in the Voting Rights Act to ensure that states that had previously restricted the political participation of minorities could not use redistricting for partisan gain and against the interest of minority groups.

Accepted Answer

The preclearance requirement was included in the Voting Rights Act to prevent states that had a history of restricting the political participation of minority groups from engaging in any redistricting that could harm their interests. This requirement required these states to obtain permission or preclearance from the Department of Justice or a federal court before making any changes to their voting laws or procedures. This was done to prevent these states from using redistricting for partisan advantage and to protect the voting rights of minority groups.

Question 9

________ was the first Republican to hold the office of Texas governor since the end of Reconstruction.

Accepted Answer

William R. Clements was elected as the first Republican governor of Texas since the end of Reconstruction in 1978. Ann Richards, George W. Bush, and Rick Perry were all subsequent Republican governors but were not the first.

Question 10

Only the federal government can set the requirements for getting on the ballot.

Accepted Answer

The requirements for getting on the ballot vary by state, and are typically set by state governments, not the federal government.

Question 11

Primaries are the final elections to be held in the election cycle.

Accepted Answer

Primaries are not the final elections to be held in the election cycle. The general election, which occurs after the primary, is the final election.

Question 12

One of the advantages incumbents have when running for reelection is

Accepted Answer

Incumbents have the advantage of being well-known and recognized by their constituents, having had previous exposure through their term in office. This makes it easier for them to campaign and connect with voters, which increases their chances of winning reelection.

Question 13

How much can an individual donate to a campaign for a state-level, nonjudicial office, such as for governor?

Accepted Answer

Campaign contribution limits can vary significantly from state to state, and in some cases, there may be no limit at all on how much an individual can donate to a campaign for a state-level, nonjudicial office, such as for governor. It's important to check the specific laws in each state, as they can differ widely.

Question 14

Some blame the relatively low voter turnout for Texas elections on the frequency of elections and the large number of candidates.

Accepted Answer

Texas holds elections frequently, including primary elections and runoff elections, which can lead to voter fatigue and lower turnout. Additionally, there are often many candidates to choose from, which can be overwhelming for voters.

Question 15

The Texas Constitution and election laws call the Texas system a closed primary because one must declare one's party affiliation before voting, but in practice it is an open primary.

Accepted Answer

While the Texas Constitution and election laws technically classify the state's primary system as closed due to the requirement of declaring party affiliation before voting, the reality is that the primary system is effectively open since voters are allowed to switch their party affiliation from one primary to the next.

Question 16

Dates for special elections are specified by the Texas Secretary of State, who oversees and administers all elections in Texas.

Accepted Answer

In Texas, the governor has the authority to call special elections, not the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State serves as the chief election officer but does not set election dates.

Question 17

The next census will be conducted in 2020, with a reapportionment completed soon after based on its results. Assuming the Texas population will increase from its 2010 total, as a result of this reapportionment, Texas will most likely

Accepted Answer

Reapportionment is the process by which the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are redistributed among the states based on population changes. If the Texas population has increased since the 2010 census, it is likely that Texas will gain seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is because the number of seats in the House is fixed at 435, so if one state's population grows more quickly than others, it will gain seats at the expense of those with slower population growth. The number of seats in the U.S. Senate is fixed at two per state, so reapportionment does not affect the number of seats Texas has in the Senate.

Question 18

Which portion of the Texas government is responsible for redistricting in Texas?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Legislature is responsible for redistricting in Texas. Every 10 years, after the release of the U.S. Census, they are required to redraw the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts in order to ensure that each district has an approximately equal population.

Question 19

It is relatively easy for an independent candidate to get on the Texas ballot.

Accepted Answer

Texas has relatively strict requirements for independent candidates to get on the ballot, including collecting a certain number of signatures from registered voters in a short period of time.

Question 20

Who plays the largest role in running political campaigns in Texas?

Accepted Answer

In Texas, individual candidates play the largest role in running political campaigns. This is because Texas is a candidate-centered state, meaning that individuals, rather than political parties, are the driving force behind campaigns. Candidates are responsible for fundraising, organizing volunteers, and creating their own messages and platforms. While the state and national party may provide some support and resources, the success of a campaign in Texas largely depends on the efforts of the individual candidate.

Quiz 5: Campaigns and Elections