Deck 3: California Elections, Campaigns, and the Media

Question 1

The most common campaign medium for candidates for state legislature is

A)direct mail.
B)social media.
C)television ads.
D)lawn signs.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

In recent California elections,

A)over 60 percent of the voters have been non-Latino whites.
B)Asian, black, and Latino voters combined have become the majority.
C)voter turnout usually exceeds 80 per cent.
D)voter turnout has increased with every election.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Today's candidates for statewide offices spend most of their money on

A)door-to-door canvassing.
B)printed literature.
C)social media.
D)television ads.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Candidate campaign spending is not limited by state law in California.

Question 5

Most people say they get information and news about state politics from the Internet.

Question 6

Over one quarter of all Californians who are eligible to vote cannot do so because they are not registered to vote.

Question 7

Political Action Committee (PAC) money comes from

A)business.
B)interest groups.
C)wealthy individuals.
D)all of the above.

Question 8

Blacks and Hispanics in California tend to vote Democratic.

Question 9

Voter turnout is usually highest among

A)minority voters.
B)older people.
C)Democrats.
D)inner-city residents.

Question 10

Over half of all California voters now vote by mail.

Question 11

"Targeting" is a technique associated with direct mail campaign tactics.

Question 12

"Independent expenditures" in support of candidates are strictly prohibited by California law.

Question 13

Which is thought to be an "unintended consequence" of campaign spending limits introduced in California in 2000?

A)an increase in independent expenditures
B)a significant decrease in campaign spending
C)increased reliance on grassroots volunteers.
D)fewer women and minority candidates winning elections

Question 14

At which level of government have women had greatest success in winning election to office?

A)local
B)state
C)national
D)all of the above

Question 15

People under the age of 30 are more likely to vote than people over the age of 55.

Question 16

Suburban Republicans are among those most likely to vote.

Question 17

Which medium is most often cited as the source of political news for California voters?

A)the internet
B)newspapers
C)radio
D)television

Question 18

Which group constitutes California's most under-represented minority in terms of elected officials?

A)Asians
B)Blacks
C)Hispanics
D)Whites

Question 19

The recommendations of newspaper editorials are thought to be most influential with voters in

A)presidential elections.
B)gubernatorial elections.
C)races for lower profile offices or ballot measures.
D)Southern California.

Question 20

Campaigns in California rarely employ professional political consultants.

Question 21

Compare and contrast participation in voting by Anglos, Hispanic, African Americans, and Asians.What are some reasons some groups participate less than others?

Question 22

Discuss campaign techniques in California elections.Which techniques are most important in California and why?

Question 23

Discuss the role of "new media" in California politics and elections.What media do you and your age-peers rely on for political information? How is this different from the past? What impact do you think it will have on politics and elections?

Question 24

Compare and contrast the political power of newspapers and television in California politics.Has the balance between them changed? How?