Question 1

As of 2014, roughly what percentage of state legislators are women?

Accepted Answer

As of 2014, roughly 25 percent of state legislators are women. While progress has been made over the years to increase the number of women in political office, there is still a long way to go towards achieving gender parity.

Question 2

Legislative districts where district lines are drawn so that people from a specific minority group comprise a majority of voters in the district are called

Accepted Answer

These districts are called majority-minority districts because the majority of the voters in the district come from a specific minority group. This is typically done to ensure that minority voters have a greater chance of electing a candidate that represents their interests.

Question 3

The number of representatives for a specific geographic area is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The number of representatives for a specific geographic area is called district magnitude. District magnitude refers to the number of seats that are allocated to a given district or constituency. This is an important factor in determining the level of representation for a particular area, as it directly impacts how many voices from that region will be heard in the governing body.

Question 4

Why are minorities more likely to be better represented in some legislatives districts than others? What effect does this have on their influence in legislature? Provide examples from your own state.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are minorities more likely to be...

Question 5

How has the selection process for district representatives changed over the years? Provide specific examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How has the selection process for district...

Question 6

If two or more candidates are elected to represent a single district, the term is

Accepted Answer

When two or more candidates are elected to represent a single district, it is known as multimember districts. In these districts, voters are given an opportunity to cast multiple votes and can choose more than one candidate to represent their district.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an example of how state legislatures could increase participation?

Accepted Answer

Utilizing partisan gerrymandering actually decreases participation by allowing one political party to dominate certain areas and essentially discourage members of the minority party from voting. The other options listed may potentially increase participation by making it easier or more convenient for individuals to register and vote.

Question 8

Discuss the terms and effects of voting rights legislation, including the 1965 Voting Rights Act. What barriers have been overcome and what barriers remain? Provide examples from your own state.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the terms and effects of voting...

Question 9

How do levels of citizen participation and political efficacy in local elections compare to those in national elections? What are some of the reasons for the discrepancy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do levels of citizen participation and...

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT true regarding "clean money"?

Accepted Answer

This statement is not true as not all states began enacting clean money policies at the start of 2000. While many states did begin enacting such policies around that time, it is not accurate to say that it was nearly all states.

Question 11

One influential theory predicts that in single-member districts

Accepted Answer

In a single-member district, candidates need to win a majority of the votes to win the election. This creates an incentive for candidates to appeal to the median voter, who is typically more moderate and centrist in their political views. Therefore, candidates are more likely to take policy positions near the "center" of the political spectrum to appeal to a broader range of voters, rather than appealing only to the extreme ends of the spectrum.

Question 12

One problem with multimember districts utilized in the past that caused the U.S. Supreme Court to step in is

Accepted Answer

Many multimember districts overrepresented rural areas, leading to unequal representation and prompting the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene to ensure fairer and more equal representation across districts.

Question 13

Which demographic groups are most likely to participate in local political activities? What effect does this have on policy making?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which demographic groups are most likely to...

Question 14

According to a recent study, state economic and social policies

Accepted Answer

The study indicates that state policies tend to align with the preferences of wealthier and middle-class individuals, rather than those who are less affluent.

Question 15

In 2011, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that part of the public campaign finance law of _____ was unconstitutional because it forced privately funded candidates to restrain their spending or risk triggering additional public funds for their opponent.

Accepted Answer

In 2011, the U. S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that part of the public campaign finance law of Arizona was unconstitutional because it forced privately funded candidates to restrain their spending or risk triggering additional public funds for their opponent.

Quiz 3: Participation, Elections, and Representation