Ch.5: Elections in Texas

Question 1

a ballot vote in which citizens select a party’s nominee for the general election

Answer 1

primary election

Question 2

a second primary election held between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first primary election if no candidate in the first primary election had receive a majority

Answer 2

runoff primary

Question 3

a primary election in which any registered voter can participate in the contest regardless of party affilliation

Answer 3

open primary

Question 4

a primary election in which only a registered members of a particular political party can vote

Answer 4

closed primary

Question 5

the election in which voters cast ballots to select public officiall

Answer 5

general election

Question 6

an election that is not held on a regularly basis in Texas a XXXX is called to fill a vacancy in office; to give approval for the state government to borrow money or to ratify amendments to the Texas constitution

Answer 6

special election

Question 7

allows party members to vote in the opposing party’s primary for the weakest candidate this, upsetting the outcome

Answer 7

raiding

Question 8

U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned white primary by ruling that political parties are “an agency of the state” and not private entities

Answer 8

Smith v. Allwright (1944)

Question 9

designed to minimize the strength of African American voters, was the most oppressive restriction on the franchise

Answer 9

white primary

Question 10

allows voter registration when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, applying for financial aid, graduating from high school or otherwise interacting with a state or federal government official.
• This law, signed by President Clinton, made it easier for students and other individuals to register to vote
• Initially the law was challenged in several states by the Republican Party which feared a surge in the registration of Democratic voters.
• The law was upheld by the Supreme Court, and no real surge in Democratic voters has ensued.

Answer 10

Motor voter law

Question 11

played an important
role in the expansion of the franchise
– The act had an important influence on elections in Texas
• African Americans had been systematically denied the ability to register to vote
• Federal examiners were sent to southern states to register voters

Answer 11

Voting Rights Act of 1965