PS111 > Elections > Flashcards

Elections Flashcards

(44 cards)

Study These Flashcards
1
Q

What are the 5 primary functions of elections?

A

1) Elections provide a means of selecting those who will hold public office and exercise the authority attached to such positions
2) Elections extend participation in that task to the citizens at large
3) Elections allow for the transfer of political offices in a peaceful manner
4) Elections establish the basis for what is considered “legitimate authority” through consent of the governed
5) Elections serve as a means for holding popularly elected publish officials accountable to those they represent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How are elections tied to the following terms of “authorization” and “accountability”?

A 
Authorization: What is authorized? 
-Who holds and exercises power 
-Reestablishes individuals to have power
-Individuals who sit on or behalf 
Accountability: Limited mandate
-Elections
-Accountable to electorate
-Fall or maintain given public choice
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the electoral system according to Mintz et. al?

A

The system is used to translate the votes that people cast into the composition of the legislature and the selection of government.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the 5 essential components to an electoral system?

A

1) Franchise
2) Electoral Districts
3) Voter Registration
4) Electoral Administration
5) Rule of Voting

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

If inclusion is a principle that guides us in determining how democratic a society is, what is a good indicator?

A

the issue of franchise

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is “universal suffrage”

A
  • Inclusion is sustained
  • Vote isn’t exclusive
  • Legal age and status required and those who do have the right to vote.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is franchise?

A

the right to vote

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What counteracts the idea that the US is more progressive with franchise evolution?

A
  • Civil rights movement
  • Slavery
  • Racism in South
    • Franchise was not practised
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

In 1867, what percent of those who resided in Canada were eligible to vote?

A

about 15%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In 1867, which group was allowed to vote in Canada?

A

Male “British Subjects”, property owners who were thirty years of age.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

When were women excluded from the franchise in Canada (federally)?

A

Until the end of WWI

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What groups were excluded from voting in Canada?

A
  • Chinese
  • Immigrants from Austro-Hungarian Empire
  • Aboriginals
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

When did Aboriginals get the right to vote inCanada?

A

1960

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What three groups of people (not races) were denied franchise inCanada?

A
  • Judges
  • Mentally Infirm
  • Prisoners
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why were judges denied franchise?

A
  • Impartiality

- Independence of court

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why were prisoners denied franchise?

A
  • Broken social contract

- Certain rights removed

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When was the charter used to challenge the legality of judges and mentally infirm?

A

1988

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

When did Parliament enact legislation that gave prisoners serving less than 2 years the right to vote? When did the Supreme Court use that prisoners had the right to vote given the Charter?

19
Q

When were African Americans and women granted the vote in the US?

Study These Flashcards
A

Through the period 1869-1920

20
Q

When were Aboriginals given the vote, and when were Chinese given the vote in the US?

21
Q

What is the situation with prisoners and the vote in the US?

Study These Flashcards
A
  • Prisoners remain different according to state law. There is no equivalent guarantee in the US Constitution–it is statutory and determined by states.
  • States have authority over electoral laws
  • Different laws given where you are a prisoner in the US
22
Q

Estimates in Florida are that about ___of the adult population in___had served or was serving a prison sentence. If state law suspends the right of prisoners and past felons, their___is removed and___an impact on the results.

Study These Flashcards
A
  • 1 in 10 (10%)
  • 2010
  • participation
  • without
23
Q

What was the 2000 election fiasco in the US?

Study These Flashcards
A

Recounts in Florida where GW Bush defeated Al Gore.

  • Mainly African Americans imprisoned who labour democrats
  • Al Gore maybe would have won
24
Q

What are the number of electoral districts dependent upon?

Study These Flashcards
A

Geographic size and population

25
What do electoral boundaries begin to define?
Identities and even political culture.
26
Boundaries inherently___and___individuals.
- include | - exclude
27
What happened with electoral boundaries in Saskatchewan?
- Recently were redrawn - Idea that in Saskatchewan we had dual constituencies (both urban and rural) - More difficult to represent a constituency that was both urban and rural
28
What ss Gerrymandering?
The manipulation of the division of the country into electoral districts so as to benefit a particular party
29
What does the process of gerrymandering stipulate the need for?
An independent process--one that is credible, transparent, and independent.
30
How did Canada deal with gerrymandering?
In Canada, Elections Canada is responsible to Parliament and managed independently by the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada (est. 1920).
31
What is the problem with gerrymandering in theUS?
Both democrats and republics redrawing boundaries to suit their need--benefit them - Lack integrity - Fraudulent - Efficacy reduced
32
In the caw of the US electoral system, gerrymandering is a particular problems as the 435 Congressional Districts are determined at the___level.
State
33
Why is voter registration a challenging aspect to any democratic system?
A highly mobile and fluid population presents clear problems.
34
In Canada, how did voter registration info used to be gathered federally and still is for provinces?
Gathered door to door during the period before and election through enumeration.
35
How accurate was the information for voter registration that was gathered door to door?
Considered very accurate at 95%.
36
What is the new system for voter registration federally in Canada?
Now we have a National Register of Electors which in effect creates a permanent voters list.
37
How does the National Register of Electors work? How accurate is it considered?
- Info is fed from the provinces and through Revenue Canada and is maintained all the time. - 90-91% accurate
38
What percent of voter information changes each year in Canada?
17%
39
How is voter registration handed is the US?
Each state is responsible for managing the electoral system (franchise, electoral districts, and registration etc.) -There is no national standard of what is required
40
Int he US, the___is on the individual to get on the voter's list which is problematic?
the onus
41
Why is the fact that the onus is on the individual to get on the voters list in the US problematic?
- Repress the vote - One common practice: identification requirements - Drivers license - Some citizens don't drive - Affects minority groups more - Lawful way to exclude - By design it excludes, restrictive, discriminatory.
42
Why do the outcomes of the electoral vary in the US?
Because the process varies from state to state
43
Who is the Chief Electoral Officer who deals with electoral administration in Canada? (IOW, how does the Chief Electoral Officer deal with electoral administration in Canada?)
He reports to Parliament and not exclusively to Government. - Excluded from voting - Independent - Non partisan - Appoints all Deputy Returning Officers and equivalent individuals who exist in provides for federal elections.
44
What is electoral administration in the US (where is is operated, who appoint, where is administration devolved to, how many administrative units)? What is the problem with this?
- Operated at the state level - Individuals appointed by the state (partisan) --> problematic - The administration is also devolved to counties--each with their own set of rules - Some 17 000 different administrative units - Problem because there is no uniformity
PS111
flashcards
Decks in class (18)
# Cards
Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2026 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions