Government 2301

Test #4 Review

Be able to identify examples of straight ticket voting and split ticket voting Retrospective voting P.215

The Coattail effect p.229

Bond election p.705

Referendum (Approval and rejection of a legislative measure)

Know which body of government draws the actual districts from which the U.S. House of Representatives is elected (bottom of p. 216)

How often are legislative district lines redrawn? (Usually every 10 years)

Know what Baker v Carr and Wesberry v Sanders addressed p.217

Voting Rights Act. Primary goal was to address actions that diminished African American and Hispanic voting power. P 217

Gerrymandering p.219

Minority vote dilution p.496

Minority vote packing p.496

Which election does the federal government provide monies? Presidential? U.S. House of Representatives? Senate? P. 224

Know the difference between House of Representatives and the Senate. P. 227-231(For example the Senate races are generally more competitive and tend to be perceived as having a national effect. Senators generally face stronger challengers than House incumbents. (Table of differences given during class.)

Electoral College allows smaller states to have a voice in the elections to counter the larger populated states.

Also the article should help with the concept of the Electoral College. One can win the popular vote and lose the electoral vote. One cannot win if they do not have the majority of electoral votes. If there is a tie with the electoral votes, the House of Representatives decides the Presidency, and the Senate decides who will be Vice President. (p. 240-242)

Note: Electors They are chosen by the state parties and choose the President (Democrat or Republican) not the Presidential nominee. The Delegates at the Republican or Democratic National Conventions select the presidential nominee.

Every state but Maine and Nebraska uses a winner-take-all election. There is not a proportional amount of votes that would go to the Democrat or Republican in Texas California etc. For example: All the electoral votes in Texas would go to the Republican presidential candidate and all the electoral votes would go to the Democratic candidate in California. P. 241

Long ballot (The number of races on the election ballot )

Know that general elections are conducted during even-numbered years and are generally partisan. For example: Presidency and midterm elections

City elections are in the odd years and usually nonpartisan.

Primary candidate is the one who has a majority of the votes. In general election, it is the candidate with the most votes. P. 698 and p. 701

Which election has the larger turnout? General or primary.

Know how delegates to the national party conventions are selected in Texas. Republicans - presidential primary. –Democrats presidential primary, caucus, and super delegates. (p. 701-703)

At large elections and district elections occur in city elections. (Table 29.1 on page 828) Know the definition of at large elections p. 828

The House was supposed to be the closest to the people and the most responsive but there are just 10% of the 435 (approx. 43) House districts are truly competitive. Most districts are either majority Democratic or Republican.

Note: Senate seats are not subject to redistricting. The entire state votes for the Senator. Therefore, the Senate elections are not subject to the "safe elections" and more responsive to constituency concerns. They are more competitive.

Where is the first caucus and the first primary held? P. 236

Money in election campaigns

Incumbents v Challengers

Incumbents are better known than challengers and usually have more money. Areas that are addressed in the campaign budget and where most money is utilized. P.221

Sources of campaign money. Candidates can bankroll their campaigns as well as receive from PACs, individuals, and the Internet. The BCRA limited the political influence of "big money" by prohibiting parties from raising soft money. Political parties support their candidates primarily with independent expenditures see definition on p. 223. Parties can give unlimited amount in independent expenditures but limited amounts directly to the candidate.) Unfortunately, this was the source of the creation of the 527, raising and spending money that candidates and political parties cannot legally raise. So know what Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), independent expenditures, and 527 on page 223.

Retrospective and prospective voting p. 721

Which takes precedence TX. Constitution, Federal law, Texas law, or city ordinances? P. 821

What is a home-rule city p. 822

Extraterritorial Jurisdiction- bottom of p.839

No one paying taxes or receiving services. Must require conformity with city ordinances.

No city can incorporate in another city’s ETJ.

Know about the mayor-council (especially strong mayor) P 823 and top of p. 824.

Council-manager form of government. What is the primary responsibility of the city manager? P. 826

Know the difference between developmental, redistributive, and allocational urban policies (bottom of page 831 and top of p. 832)

I will give you examples and you should be able to identify the policy.

Major tax revenues for city government. P. 834

What are capital expenditures and what type of election does one hold to address these expenditures? P. 835 Street construction, sewer trunk line replacement, and new police and fire stations are developmental because they provide infrastructure improvements.

Know what a tax increment financing p. 836

What are the major reasons for annexation (Three reasons p. 837)

Building and Housing codes p. 840 Zoning and planning through city ordinance. Seen as more comprehensive and using the council (government) to make ordinances. p. 841.

Deed restrictions (private contracts and piecemeal planning. P.842

What officials compose the e country commissioner’s court. P. 855

How are the county commissioner’s elected? (From county commissioners precincts) p. 855 How is the county judge elected? ( Countywide). How often? County elections are generally partisan and during even years.

Which election officials are not elected countywide? (Justice of Peace and Constable)

Who is most concerned with road repair and maintenance? P. 855

Which county official serves arrest warrants and subpoenas for the justice of the peace? P. 857

Who prosecutes felony cases? P.857

What does the county clerk do? P.857

What does the tax assessor-collector do? p.857 Also includes voter registration.

What does the district clerk do? (district elections)

What is the main source of revenue for county government? P. 858

Is the sheriff, county clerk, and treasure elected? Yes!!! See page 30.1 County Government in Texas

How are the boards of trustees for independent school districts chosen? P.865

How is the superintendent for an independent school district chosen? P.866

What are the sources for public education in Texas? Which one provides the most money? P.866

What does the concept of parental choice in public education mean? P. 873

What are the four reasons for special districts? P. 877/878

What is the most common type of special district in Texas? Second paragraph on P. 877

How are MUD’s funded? Bottom of p. 878 and top of page 879 (taxes and service charge)

Who is the governing body for the water districts? Is the board appointed or elected for the water districts? p. 878 (fifth paragraph)

One bonus question from the Redistricting article and one Christmas bonus question.