Deck 10: Political Engagement Citizens and Politics

Question 1

Some people stop voting for less-recognizable, lower-level offices as they work their way towards the end of ballots.This phenomenon is called:

A)low turnout
B)apathy
C)roll-off
D)polarization

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Voters, residents, and citizens are essentially the same groups of people.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The political power of special interests is largely derived from what they can provide to decision makers, principally in the form of money, electoral support (supporters who will vote for them), and _____________.

A)alcohol
B)information
C)campaign volunteers
D)paid vacations

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Of these, which group of people pays closest attention to politics?

A)Young adults aged 18-29
B)Latinos
C)Tea Party activists
D)Those with a high school diploma (or fewer years of education)

Question 5

Businesses and employers are represented through associations that primarily:

A)organize rallies and demonstrations to bring attention to their causes
B)hire lobbyists to advocate for their causes, and contribute to campaigns of sympathetic candidates
C)put people in contact with their representatives through "meet and greets"
D)organize volunteers to support their causes

Question 6

Which of these provides the least amount of coverage of state politics?

A)minority newspapers
B)local television news
C)major city newspapers
D)CalSpan cable television

Question 7

In off-year elections (non-presidential election years), fewer than half of those eligible to vote typically turn out to vote.

Question 8

Consistently, _____________ tend to be overrepresented in California's electorate, whereas _____________ tend to be underrepresented.

A)Blacks; Whites
B)Hispanics/Latinos; Whites
C)Asians; Whites
D)Whites; Hispanics/Latinos

Question 9

Whites are approximately 40 percent of California residents, but close to two-thirds of all voters.

Question 10

Lobbyists who advocate for special interest groups are known collectively as:

A)the Infotainers
B)the Third House
C)the Consolidators
D)the Media Mavericks

Question 11

Many variables associated with non-voting are also associated with immigrant status.

Question 12

People who disengage from politics tend to be high-income wage earners who have better things to do with their time than try to influence politicians and policy decisions.

Question 13

When asked in public opinion polls, most Californians claim that they are well-informed about state politics.

Question 14

If a person lives and works in an environment where politics and political affairs are rarely discussed, chances are, that person will not be a regular voter.

Question 15

People who are highly educated, have higher income, and are older, tend to be heavy political news consumers, and also tend to be politically active.

Question 16

In November 2014, what percentage of voters in the 18- to 24-year old age group cast a ballot?

A)fewer than 10 percent
B)about 20 percent
C)about 50 percent
D)about 2/3 (66.6 percent)

Question 17

Which business sector spends the most on lobbying in California?

A)Technology (high-tech manufacturing)
B)Entertainment (film, t.v.)
C)Energy (Oil and gas, electric utilities)
D)Realty (property sales and management)

Question 18

In what kind of activities do lobbyists or special interest "advocates" engage?

A)mostly illegal bribes
B)testifying about bills in committee; "educating" lawmakers about the effects of bills
C)participating in rallies and demonstrations consumes most of their time
D)recruiting individuals or businesses for membership in interest groups

Question 19

Those who vote in an Assembly district election are a different group of people than those who vote in initiative elections.

Question 20

What is true of California's electorate-i.e.those who vote?

A)They are an "exclusive, self-selected group" that does not broadly represent all eligible voters.
B)They are a group that broadly represents all Californians during presidential election years, but not during off-year elections.
C)It is a group that broadly represents all Californians in every election.
D)Over time the electorate has been growing steadily, meaning that a greater percentage of people vote in elections today than 10, 20, or 30 years ago.

Question 21

Almost no Californians aged 18 to 34 get their news from a printed newspaper.

Question 22

In California, those in prison or on parole are not eligible to vote.

Question 23

Living and interacting often with others who talk about politics and who value the act of voting is a strong predictor of whether a person will vote or not.