Question 1

Which of the following amendments to the Constitution prohibits states from denying the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude"?

Accepted Answer

The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibits states from denying the right to vote "on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the relationship between income and voting?

Accepted Answer

Research consistently shows that the higher one's income, the more likely they are to vote. This may be because higher-income individuals generally have higher levels of education and political knowledge, are more easily able to navigate the voting process, and have a greater stake in the political system due to their economic status. However, it is important to note that income is not the only factor influencing voting behavior and there are many other factors to consider.

Question 3

In Oregon, everyone votes by which of the following methods?

Accepted Answer

In Oregon, everyone votes by mail. Ballots are sent to all registered voters and they have to fill them out and return them by mail.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

Since the writing of the Constitution, the right to vote has been expanded to include more groups of people such as women, African Americans, and those aged 18-21 who were previously unable to vote.

Question 5

Which of the following amendments lowered the voting age to 18?

Accepted Answer

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

Question 6

Characteristics frequently associated with nonvoters include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Nonvoters are more likely to have low levels of education and low incomes, and they tend to be relatively young. Research has shown that nonvoters are more likely to be disengaged from the political process and may feel that their vote will not make a difference. Older individuals and those with higher levels of education and income are more likely to vote.

Question 7

Some states, such as Oregon, have started to use which of the following where voters get ballots in the mail two weeks prior to the election, providing them a chance to research the candidates and cast their ballots?

Accepted Answer

This is specifically describing the vote-by-mail system, which Oregon has implemented. The other options are not related to receiving a ballot in the mail prior to the election.

Question 8

In 1965, which of the following laws was passed by Congress that effectively ended strategies that had discriminated against African Americans at the polls?

Accepted Answer

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed by Congress and aimed at ending discriminatory voting practices against African Americans. It provided federal oversight of voting practices in states with a history of discrimination and prohibited the use of literacy tests and other methods used to prevent African Americans from voting.

Question 9

Which of the following qualifications for voting was virtually eliminated in all states by the 1850s?

Accepted Answer

Property ownership was the qualification for voting that was virtually eliminated in all states by the 1850s. Most states had abolished this requirement by the 1830s and 1840s, as they began to view voting as a right of citizenship rather than a privilege reserved for property-owning white men.

Question 10

Blacks compared to whites tend to have political participation rates today that are which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Black Americans' political participation rates today are about the same as those of white Americans, reflecting increased voter mobilization and engagement efforts within Black communities.

Question 11

Which of the following states is frequently considered to be a battleground state?

Accepted Answer

Florida is frequently considered to be a battleground state in presidential elections. This is because it has a diverse population, including a large number of retirees, Hispanic voters, and African American voters, which makes it difficult to predict which party will carry the state.

Question 12

Which of the following granted women the right to vote?

Accepted Answer

The Nineteenth Amendment, ratified in 1920, guaranteed women the right to vote in the United States. The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Twenty-First Amendments dealt with other issues, such as slavery, citizenship, voting rights based on race, and alcohol consumption.

Question 13

What was the effect of the Twenty-Sixth Amendment that enfranchised 18- to 20-year-olds?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What was the effect of the Twenty-Sixth...

Question 14

In general, which of the following factors contributes to higher voting rates?

Accepted Answer

Higher education levels have been consistently correlated with higher rates of voter participation.

Question 15

Women could vote in all states with the ratification of which of the following amendments in 1920?

Accepted Answer

The Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granted women the right to vote and was ratified on August 18, 1920.

Question 16

Which of the following amendments extended voting rights to African American males?

Accepted Answer

The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to African American males. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship rights and equal protection under the law, the Nineteenth Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the Twenty-First Amendment repealed Prohibition.

Question 17

Which type of primary election requires a person to register as a member of a party in advance of an election?

Accepted Answer

A closed primary election requires voters to register as a member of a specific party in advance, so only members of that party can participate in the primary. This is in contrast to an open primary where voters do not need to declare their party affiliation in advance. Blanket, general, and special elections are not related to the registration requirement for primary elections.

Question 18

Which of the following is the principal function of a primary election?

Accepted Answer

The principal function of a primary election is to select candidates who will represent their party in the general election. Primary elections allow voters to choose who will run for office from within their own party, so that the parties can present their strongest candidate in the general election.

Question 19

Which of the following groups tends to be overrepresented in the electorate?

Accepted Answer

Wealthier people tend to be overrepresented in the electorate due to factors such as higher levels of education and more resources to participate in the political process. They also tend to have higher voter turnout rates compared to other socioeconomic groups.

Question 20

Which of the following groups of Americans turns out to vote at the lowest rate?

Accepted Answer

The youngest voters consistently have the lowest voter turnout of any age group.

Quiz 9: Campaigns Voting and Elections