Question 1

In Oregon, everyone votes by which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

In Oregon, everyone votes by mail. Ballots are mailed out to registered voters at least 14 days before the election and must be returned by 8pm on Election Day.

Question 2

Voter turnout rates peak for those who are of what age?

Accepted Answer

Voter turnout rates are typically highest among older age groups, with those around 60 years old often having the highest participation rates in elections.

Question 3

The most common form of political participation is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Voting is the most commonly practiced form of political participation in democratic societies. It represents a fundamental right of citizens to have a say in who will represent them and make decisions on their behalf. While other forms of political participation such as blogging, initiating a referendum, political debate, or striking are also important, they are not as widely practiced or institutionalized as voting.

Question 4

The 1993 law that requires states to allow citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver's license is commonly known as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Motor Voter law, also known as the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993, requires states to allow citizens to register to vote when they apply for or renew their driver's license, and also through other government agencies such as public assistance offices or disability offices. The law was intended to simplify and increase voter registration, particularly for underrepresented groups such as low-income individuals and minorities.

Question 5

Abolitionists, women seeking the vote, civil rights activists, and the Tea Party all successfully used which of the following to draw attention to their cause and bring about change?

Accepted Answer

Political protest has been used by various movements to draw attention to their cause and bring about change. Examples include the abolitionist movement, the women’s suffrage movement, the civil rights movement, and the Tea Party movement. Protest can raise awareness, galvanize supporters, and force those in power to take notice and respond to the demands of the protesters.

Question 6

Which of the following terms refers to the estimated number of people who are old enough to vote?

Accepted Answer

The term "voting-age population" refers to the estimated number of people who are old enough to vote, typically defined as 18 years of age or older. The other options do not accurately describe this concept.

Question 7

Some states, such as Oregon, have started to use which of the following where voters get ballots in the mail two weeks prior to the election, providing them a chance to research the candidates and cast their ballots?

Accepted Answer

The description matches the Vote-by-mail system.

Question 8

In An Economic Theory of Democracy (1957), Anthony Downs describes which of the following types of voting as a puzzle because voting is not in one's self-interest and the benefits are not clear?

Accepted Answer

Anthony Downs describes rational voting as a puzzle because it is not always in one's self-interest to vote and the benefits are not always clear. Rational voters must weigh the costs of voting (such as the effort and time involved in registering and actually voting) against the benefits (such as the perceived impact of their vote on the election outcome or the policies that will be put in place). This creates a puzzle because the rational choice is not always clear, and many people may choose not to vote because they do not see a clear benefit to doing so.

Question 9

Politicians are increasingly using social media such as Twitter to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Politicians are increasingly using social media, such as Twitter, to communicate directly with the public. This allows them to bypass traditional media gatekeepers and reach a wider audience with their message. However, it does not necessarily replace their campaign staff, eliminate the need for political advertising, or avoid live campaign events. It can also be seen as a complementary tool to traditional campaigning methods.

Question 10

Which of the following groups of Americans turns out to vote at the lowest rate?

Accepted Answer

The youngest voters (ages 18-24) consistently have the lowest voter turnout of any age group.

Question 11

The practice that requires citizens to vote in elections or face punitive measures such as community service, fines, or imprisonment is called what?

Accepted Answer

Compulsory voting is the practice that requires citizens to vote in elections and failure to do so may result in punitive measures such as community service, fines, or imprisonment. Countries like Australia, Belgium, and Brazil are some of the nations that enforce compulsory voting.

Question 12

Which of the following statements regarding political participation in the United States is true?

Accepted Answer

According to the statement, about 40% of Americans can be defined as active citizens who vote and participate in political activity, making option E the most accurate statement. Options A, B, and C are all false, as they underestimate the level of political participation in the United States. Option D is also false, as it contradicts the trend of decreasing political participation in recent decades.

Question 13

Which model of voting starts with the assumption that all choices involve a calculation about self-interest that balances costs and benefits?

Accepted Answer

The economic model of voting assumes that individuals make rational decisions based on self-interest, weighing the costs and benefits of each possible choice. This model is often used to explain voting behavior in elections where voters are choosing between different economic policies or candidates with different economic platforms.

Question 14

While voter registration laws reduced voter fraud, they had which of the following unintended consequences?

Accepted Answer

The answer of While voter registration laws reduced voter fraud,...

Question 15

William Riker and Peter Ordeshook argued that Anthony Downs' theory of economic voting was incomplete because it did not calculate which of the following as a benefit of voting?

Accepted Answer

Riker and Ordeshook introduced the concept of "civic duty" as a benefit of voting, which was not accounted for in Anthony Downs' original economic theory of voting. They argued that people derive satisfaction from fulfilling their civic duty, which can motivate them to vote even when the economic benefits are minimal.

Question 16

Which of the following describes a person's belief that his or her participation makes an impact?

Accepted Answer

Efficacy refers to a person's belief in their ability to make a difference or impact through their actions or participation. Suffrage refers to the right to vote, ideology refers to a system of beliefs or ideas, partisan identification refers to a person's affiliation with a political party, and theology refers to the study of religious beliefs and practices.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the impact the 2010 Citizens United decision has had on the political campaign process?

Accepted Answer

The 2010 Citizens United decision allowed corporate entities to contribute unlimited amounts to support or oppose candidates through the creation of Super PACs (Political Action Committees). This has led to an influx of money in political campaigns and increased the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations in the political process.

Question 18

In the Hill v. Colorado case, the Supreme Court ruled that Colorado law legally restricted which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Hill v. Colorado case involved a Colorado law that created buffer zones around healthcare facilities in which individuals were restricted from engaging in certain forms of speech and protest. The Supreme Court ruled that this law was constitutional, as it served an important government interest in protecting patients and healthcare workers from harassment and intimidation. Therefore, the ruling legally restricted free expression within these buffer zones.

Question 19

Which of the following is a reason that Australia has a higher voter turnout than the United States?

Accepted Answer

Australia has compulsory voting, which means citizens who are registered to vote must cast a ballot on election day or face a fine. This policy is not in place in the United States, where voter turnout is voluntary. Therefore, Australia has a higher voter turnout due to compulsory voting.

Question 20

Compared to other democracies, voter turnout in the United States is which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Voter turnout in the United States is generally low compared to other democracies. In recent years, it has ranged from 50-60% in presidential elections and even lower in midterm elections.

Quiz 11: Voting and Participation