Question 1

Political parties have become more ideological in the last three decades.

Accepted Answer

In recent years, political parties have become more polarized and entrenched in their ideological positions, leading to increased polarization and gridlock in government.

Question 2

Political participation is most closely linked to

Accepted Answer

Political participation is most closely linked to partisanship because people who identify with a political party are more likely to vote, run for office, and engage in other forms of political activity.

Question 3

The defection of white southerners from the Democratic Party, beginning in the 1960s, was prompted by

Accepted Answer

The defection of white southerners from the Democratic Party began primarily in the 1960s due to the Democrats' advocacy for the enactment of civil rights legislation, which many white southerners opposed. This shift in the political alignment of the southern states, known as the "Southern Strategy," played a significant role in the Republican Party's rise to dominance in the region.

Question 4

Partisanship is the most important influence on voting behavior.

Accepted Answer

Partisanship, or loyalty to a political party, has consistently been shown to be the strongest predictor of voting behavior in elections. Other factors such as candidate characteristics, issue positions, and demographics can also play a role, but party affiliation remains the most influential factor.

Question 5

In recent years a majority of men have voted Republican and a majority of women have voted Democratic.

Accepted Answer

According to recent election data, a majority of men have voted Republican and a majority of women have voted Democratic. However, it is important to note that individual voting preferences may vary and should not be assumed based solely on gender.

Question 6

Which of the following groups would be less likely to participate in the primaries and caucuses?

Accepted Answer

Newly eligible voters, who may not feel fully invested or informed about the political process, are often less likely to participate in primaries and caucuses. Senior citizens, African Americans, and religious fundamentalists may all have strong political opinions and motivations to participate in the nomination process.

Question 7

The principal problem that groups with low participation rates face in U.S.elections is that

Accepted Answer

Groups with low participation rates are less likely to have their voices heard by elected officials, and therefore, are less likely to benefit from the public policy decisions made by those officials. This can lead to feelings of underrepresentation and further disenfranchisement, which can have negative consequences for both the group and society as a whole. Thus, choice A is the best option as it directly relates to the principal problem faced by such groups.

Question 8

An important reason that the major political parties have survived over the years is

Accepted Answer

State laws and federal laws give preferential treatment to major political parties and make it difficult for other parties to gain a foothold. For example, in some states, minor parties must collect many more signatures to get on the ballot than major parties, while in others they are not allowed on the ballot at all. The major parties have also created a culture that makes it difficult for third parties to gain traction, such as the perception that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote. Therefore, the major parties have a structural advantage which helps them to survive over time.

Question 9

Approximately what percentage of the voting age population is registered to vote today?

Accepted Answer

As of my last update in 2023, approximately 75-85 percent of the voting age population is registered to vote in the United States. This high percentage reflects efforts to make registration easier, including online registration and automatic voter registration in some states.

Question 10

Approximately what percentage of eligible voters participated in the 2016 presidential primaries?

Accepted Answer

According to data from the United States Elections Project, approximately 28.5% of eligible voters participated in the 2016 presidential primaries. This falls within the range of 25-35%, making choice C the best option.

Question 11

All racial, religious, and ethnic minority groups tend to vote for Democratic candidates.

Accepted Answer

While Democratic candidates often receive significant support from various racial, religious, and ethnic minority groups in the United States, not all individuals within these groups uniformly vote for Democrats. Voting patterns can vary widely based on factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and specific issues of concern to voters.

Question 12

Most citizens do not vote in most elections.

Accepted Answer

This is generally true in many countries around the world, where voter turnout tends to be low for elections at all levels of government.

Quiz 3: The Political Environment