What is a qualified voter?
A person who:
- is at least 18 years old.
- is registered to vote at least 30 days before the election.
- is a resident of Texas for at least 30 days.
- is a resident of a county for at least 30 days.
- is not a convicted felon. (only through the duration of the sentence)
- must be a United States Citizens.
- must have a photo identification
- must NOT be deemed mentally incompetent by a court of law.
What is a liberal?
A person who favors government programs that promote social equality, but is against government programs that promote order
What is a conservative?
A person who is against government programs that promote social equality, but favors government programs that promote order.
What is a libertarian?
A person who is against government programs that promote social equality and government programs that promote order.
What is a communitarian?
A person who favors government programs that promote social equality and government programs that promote order.
What is political ideology?
Bonus
A consistent set of beliefs about the purpose and scope of government.
What is social equality?
Bonus
Equality in wealth, education, and status
What is order?
Bonus
established ways of behavior
What are the Elections codes In Texas?
- Any political party whose candidate for governor received at least 20% of the votes for governor in the last gubernatorial election MUST nominate their candidates in a primary election.
- Any political party whose candidate for governor received LESS than 20% votes for governor in the last gubernatorial election MUST nominate their candidates in the convention process
- Any political party whose candidate for any statewide office received at least 5% of the votes for that statewide office are EXEMPT from submitting a petition to get their nominees on the general election ballot
- Any candidate NOT affiliated with a political party MUST submit a petition to get on the general election ballot
- Number of signatures on the petition to get on the general election ballot must be equal to 1% of the number of votes in the last gubernatorial elections
- Individuals signing the petition to get on the general election must be registered voters who did NOT vote in the primary election
- Voters may NOT write-in a candidate’s name except for declared write-in candidates
- Candidate who is defeated in the primary election may NOT become a candidate of another political party. This is called the Sore Loser Law.
What are the characteristics of a primary election in Texas?
- Texas uses a semi-open primary system in which individuals do NOT register with a political party when registering to vote, individuals may vote in either major party’s primary (but NOT both), and once voted, these individuals may NOT participate in another party function
- Texas uses a run-off primary system in which candidates must receive a majority of the votes to become a major party’s nominee and, if no candidate receives a majority of the votes, then the two candidates with the most votes will face each other in a run-off election
What are the charctersistics of a general election in Texas?
NO majority vote is required; the candidate with the most votes is elected to the office (called a plurality vote)
What are the charcteristics of a special election in Texas?
- Voters are given a single ballot with all the candidates from all the parties
- Majority vote is required
- If no candidate receives the majority of the votes, then two candidates with the most votes will face each other in a run-off election (regardless of their party affiliation)
Which Social Groups support the Democratic Party?
- Union Members
- Poor Texans
- African-Americans
- Mexican-Americans
- Asian-Americans
- Arab-Americans
- Jews
- Muslims
- Hispanic Catholics
- Women
- Gays and Lesbians
- Young Adults
- Liberals
What are the planks of the Democratic Party?
- Favors increased public school teachers’ salaries
- Favors increased funding on social programs
- Pro-Choice in Abortion (Women’s Right to Choose)
- Favors increased regulations on businesses
- Favors Increased environmental controls
- Favors Obamacare
- Favors larger government role in civil rights
- Favors a path of citizenship of illegal immigrants
- Opposes the return of prayer in public schools
- Favors stronger gun controls
Which social groups support the Republican Party?
- Management/Business Owners
- Licensed Professionals (Doctors, Realtors, Architects)
- Military Personnel
- Anglo-Americans
- Cuban-Americans
- Vietnamese- Americans
- Wealthy Texans
- Conservative, Evangelical
Protestants - White Catholics
- Men
- Gun Owners
- Older People
- Conservatives
What are the planks of the Republican Party?
- Favors vouchers (school choice)
- Favors a stronger national defense (increasing military spending)
- Pro-life in abortion (favors the abolition of abortion)
- Favors limiting government regulations of businesses
- Opposes increasing environmental controls
- Opposes Obamacare
- Favors smaller government role in civil rights
- Favors stronger border security and limited legal immigration
- Favors the return of prayer to public schools
- Opposes increased gun controls
What is a Plurality vote system?
Bonus
Type of electoral system in which, to win the election, a candidate needs only receive the most votes in the election, not necessarily a majority of the votes
What is the timing of the primary elections?
Bonus
First Tuesday in March of the even-numbered year
What is the timing of the general-purpose elections?
Bonus
First Tuesday after the First Monday in November of the even-numbered year.
What is the timing of the special elections?
Bonus
Tuesday or Saturday (governor of Texas selects the date)
Referenda purpose?
Bonus
To adopt or defeat a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution.
Referenda Characteristic?
Bonus
A Majority vote is required.
Referenda timing?
Bonus
Tuesday or Saturday (Texas Legislature selects the date)
What is fundraising?
The first step in an electoral campaign which attempts to solicit an adequate amount of campaign contributions to run a competitive campaign.
