Deck 2: Political Parties and Direct Democracy

Question 1

Advocates of the "top two" primary hoped it would result in the election of less partisan (or more moderate) officials who would be more amenable to compromise.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

In recent years, the percentage of California voters who register as Democrats or Republicans has

A)increased.
B)stayed about the same.
C)been about equaled by voters who "decline to state" a party preference.
D)declined.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Which party has dominated voter registration in California since the 1930s?

A)Democrats
B)Republicans
C)"no political party"
D)None of the above

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which groups generally vote for candidates of the Democratic Party?

A)Latinos
B)residents of Los Angeles
C)union members
D)all of the above

Question 5

Because they express "the will of the people" in a democracy, the courts cannot overturn propositions approved by the voters.

Question 6

Most initiatives are approved by the voters.

Question 7

Recall elections occur frequently in California state politics.

Question 8

Which groups usually vote for candidates of the Republican Party?

A)whites
B)residents of inland and Central California
C)older, more affluent voters
D)all of the above

Question 9

Only the people (voters), through petitions, can place propositions on the ballot in California.

Question 10

Coastal California tends to vote Democratic while inland California tends to vote Republican.

Question 11

California's political parties have a history of strong control over candidates, policies, and fundraising.

Question 12

Which of the following allows voters to approve or reject actions of the legislature?

A)plebiscite
B)initiative
C)recall
D)referendum

Question 13

California's official political party organizations

A)play a central role in selecting candidates.
B)are banned from endorsing candidates in primary elections.
C)have limited power over the selection of candidates.
D)are stronger today than ever in California history.

Question 14

By which of the following means may the voters draft a new law?

A)canvassing
B)initiative
C)referendum
D)constitutional amendment

Question 15

In a "top two" primary election,

A)voters can vote for candidates of any party on the ballot.
B)voters can only vote for candidates of the same party as the voter.
C)the party affiliation of candidates is not listed on the ballot.
D)voters rank candidates for each office in order of preference.

Question 16

The direct primary was introduced to California as a means of overcoming the railroad's grip on nominating candidates through party conventions.

Question 17

Cross-filing allowed candidates to run for more than one political office in the same election.

Question 18

The large number of initiatives on California ballots is best explained by

A)a reduction in the number of signatures required to qualify for the ballot.
B)the encouragement of state legislators.
C)gridlock between the governor and legislators.
D)the opportunism of special interests.

Question 19

By which of the following means may the voters remove officeholders?

A)initiative
B)recall
C)impeachment
D)referendum

Question 20

Voter approval is required when the governor or legislature seek to issue bonds (borrowing money) to fund infrastructure or other projects.

Question 21

Discuss the differences among supporters of the Republican and Democratic parties and relate these to the populations statistics reported in Table 1.3.What are the implications for the future of these political parties?

Question 22

Some people think California would be governed better if the state's political parties were strong enough to influence the selection of candidates who would more consistently follow party policy.What electoral structures have made the parties less capable of doing this? Do you think stronger party control of candidates would be better for the state?.

Question 23

"In California, the most important policy decisions are made by the voters, not by elected officials." What is the meaning of this quote? Is it less or more significant today than in the past?