Deck 4: Parties and Elections in California

Question 1

Which of the following is a positive aspect of the existence of third parties in California?

A) Third parties rarely act as spoilers.
B) Third parties do not draw votes away from the two major parties.
C) Third parties help focus public attention on important political issues.
D) Third parties reduce voter turnout in close elections.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

What group advocated for nonpartisan elections?

A) Democrats
B) Republicans
C) Progressives
D) Libertarians

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Proposition 34, passed in California in 2000, established a law regarding

A) campaign finance reform.
B) property taxes.
C) blanket primaries.
D) education spending.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

To wage a successful campaign in support of or in opposition to a controversial initiative, the most important resource is

A) citizen participation.
B) money.
C) political party support.
D) an Internet rally

Question 5

In California, what are the two ways political parties can qualify to get on the ballot?

A) television ads and newspaper ads
B) registration and newspaper ads
C) court rulings and public protests
D) registration and petition

Question 6

As of 2018, what percentage of voters in California identify themselves as independents?

A) 8%
B) 26%
C) 52%
D) 81%

Question 7

The Progressives introduced the ________ ballot as a means of making it difficult to vote the straight party ticket.

A) up down
B) nonpartisan party
C) office block
D) direct democracy

Question 8

In June 2010, voters passed Proposition 14, the "Open Primary" initiative. This primary system essentially is

A) a closed primary.
B) a blanket primary.
C) an absentee primary.
D) a nonpartisan primary.

Question 9

How much money did Meg Whitman spend running for governor in 2010?

A) $6 million
B) $160 million
C) $550 million
D) $1.1 billion

Question 10

In California, approximately how many signatures are required for constitutional initiatives to be on the ballot?

A) more than 300,000
B) more than 400,000
C) more than 500,000
D) more than 800,000

Question 11

One of the major criticisms of ballot initiatives in California is

A) that there are too few.
B) that the initiatives sometimes are confusing in title and substance.
C) that the government fails to take a clear position on specific initiatives.
D) that court reviews take too long.

Question 12

A winner-take-all system of voting promotes

A) third parties.
B) interest groups.
C) corruption.
D) two dominant political parties.

Question 13

The Citizens Redistricting Commission is responsible for redrawing the boundaries of the Senate and Assembly. What proposition expanded the commission's power to determine congressional districts as well?

A) Proposition 14
B) Proposition 198
C) Proposition 55
D) Proposition 20

Question 14

One of the reasons that Gray Davis was recalled in 2003 was because he

A) offered corporations too many tax breaks.
B) was held responsible for higher electricity rates and blackouts.
C) increased the cost of earthquake insurance in California.
D) failed to address the state's water shortage.

Question 15

Passed in 2010, Proposition ________ changed the legislative requirement to pass the budget from two-thirds to a simple majority.

A) 13
B) 8
C) 25
D) 140

Question 16

What proposition established a blanket primary and was eventually ruled to be unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court?

A) Proposition 11
B) Proposition 34
C) Proposition 198
D) Proposition 208

Question 17

A plurality of California voters identify with the ________ Party.

A) Democratic
B) Libertarian
C) Republican
D) Green

Question 18

The Progressive movement viewed political parties as

A) underfunded organizations.
B) corrupt organizations.
C) contributing to the general welfare.
D) organizations that promoted political conflict.

Question 19

Which of the following counties in California is considered to be the most liberal?

A) Los Angeles
B) San Francisco
C) San Diego
D) Santa Barbara

Question 20

In the 2016 presidential race approximately ________ percent of California voters turned out on election day.

A) 30
B) 42
C) 50
D) 63

Question 21

What website is used to register to vote in California?

A) www.rockthevote.com
B) www.registertovote.ca.gov
C) www.ca.com
D) www.electnow.gov

Question 22

What types of primaries have been used in California? Which type do you consider to be the most democratic?

Question 23

What are some of the reasons that campaigns in California are expensive?

A) Propositions 11 and 34
B) limitations placed on campaign contributions, a multiparty system, and interest groups
C) a strong political party system and the law that bans political advertisements during the months of October and November
D) media, political consultants, and weak political parties

Question 24

Why do political scientists believe that the use of nonpartisan elections weaken political parties?

Question 25

An absentee ballot is now available to any voter who

A) has filed the appropriate paperwork with the lieutenant governor's office.
B) has paid the appropriate fees.
C) can show a valid California driver's license.
D) wants one.

Question 26

Professional campaign managers, pollsters, and media consultants are

A) rarely used in political campaigns in California.
B) never used at the statewide level of political campaigns.
C) used extensively in campaigns and cost a great deal of money.
D) illegal in California.

Question 27

In order for a political party to qualify for the ballot in California, what procedures must the party follow? Do the existing procedures require the expenditure of significant resources?

Question 28

Discuss the roles played by third parties in California. How likely are they to attain political power in California?

Question 29

Of California's 39 million residents, approximately how many are eligible to vote?

A) 12 million
B) 17 million
C) 25 million
D) 31 million

Question 30

What are the important functions performed by political parties in California?