Question 1

Which of the following reforms would likely lead to an increase in voter participation rates?

Accepted Answer

Allowing citizens to register to vote on the same day and at the same location where they cast their ballots would eliminate the need to register beforehand and make it more convenient for people to participate in elections. This would likely lead to an increase in voter participation rates. Lowering the legal minimum voting age to 16 would not necessarily lead to an increase in voter participation rates, as younger individuals may not have as much interest or knowledge of politics. Limiting the amount of money candidates can spend on their campaigns may level the playing field, but it would not necessarily lead to an increase in voter participation rates. Shortening the length of time polling places are open on Election Day would make it more difficult for people with busy schedules to vote, and reintroducing the poll tax would be discriminatory and also likely decrease voter participation rates.

Question 2

Compared with other industrialized democracies,voter turnout in the United States is probably lower for what reason?

Accepted Answer

Political parties in the United States are weaker compared to other industrialized democracies, which have more centralized and organized party systems. This results in less mobilization and less emphasis placed on voter turnout, leading to lower overall voter turnout in the US.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a personal resource in the context of political participation?

Accepted Answer

Political efficacy is a belief in one's ability to participate effectively in politics, it is not a tangible personal resource like time, money, civic and communication skills.

Question 4

Republican women

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Center for American Women and Politics, in 2010, a record number of Republican women ran for office, with 166 filing to run for the U.S. House of Representatives alone. This was a significant increase from the previous high of 141 Republican women running in 2004.

Question 5

To what does the term political efficacy refer?

Accepted Answer

Political efficacy refers to an individual's belief that they can influence government and policymaking processes. This belief can lead to increased participation in elections and other forms of political participation.

Question 6

Of the following,which has the lowest turnout rate?

Accepted Answer

France has traditionally had lower turnout rates compared to other countries in presidential elections. In the 2017 presidential election, the turnout rate was 74.6%, which is relatively low compared to other countries like Germany and Australia.

Question 7

Studies show that voting participation rates are higher for African Americans than political scientists would otherwise anticipate on the basis of socioeconomic status.What is the best explanation for this political phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The effectiveness of organizations in the African American community, such as churches and civil rights groups, has been shown to increase voting participation rates among African Americans. These organizations are able to mobilize and educate voters, and provide resources to help individuals overcome barriers to voting such as transportation or lack of information.

Question 8

Voting in America is a two-step process.Before being able to vote,Americans must

Accepted Answer

In order to vote in America, citizens must first register with their local government. This typically involves providing proof of citizenship and a valid ID.

Question 9

Which of the following groups is disproportionately represented among nonvoters?

Accepted Answer

Younger voters are disproportionately represented among nonvoters. This is because many young people feel disengaged from the political system and don't find candidates or issues that align with their values. They may also feel like their vote doesn't matter or that the system is rigged against them. Additionally, younger people are often more transient, moving frequently for school or work, making it harder for them to establish a voting routine.

Question 10

In which of the following forms of political participation are Americans most likely to take part?

Accepted Answer

Voting is the most common and widely used form of political participation in America. It is the most direct way for citizens to have a say in who represents them in government. While the other forms listed can also be effective, they are less commonly utilized by the average American citizen.

Question 11

The U.S.lags behind most other nations in electoral participation and has

Accepted Answer

According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2020, the U.S. had more than one-fourth (25%) of its eligible voters not even registered. Therefore, option A is the correct answer. Options B, C, D, and E are all incorrect as they provide inaccurate information or fall outside of the range of the data presented.

Question 12

Which of the following factors accounts for relatively low voter turnout rates in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Political parties in the U.S. are relatively weaker than they are in other countries, which is a major factor that accounts for lower voter turnout rates. Weak parties mean that candidates have to work harder to get their message out to the voters, which may result in fewer people voting.

Question 13

Which of the following individuals would you expect to be most active politically?

Accepted Answer

College professors are often highly educated and engaged in societal issues, making them more likely to be active politically.

Question 14

How has Australia remedied low voter turnout?

Accepted Answer

Australia has remedied low voter turnout by implementing compulsory voting. Under this system, all citizens who are registered to vote are required by law to cast a ballot in all elections. Failure to do so can result in a fine. Compulsory voting has significantly increased voter turnout in Australia, with rates consistently exceeding 90% in federal elections.

Question 15

Which of the following is the most common act of political participation in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Voting is the most common act of political participation in the U.S. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, voter turnout among eligible voters in the 2020 presidential election was 66.4%, which is higher than in previous elections. Other forms of political participation, such as campaigning, contacting public officials, joining political groups, and marching or demonstrating, are less commonly practiced by the general public.

Question 16

The average age of the U.S.population is increasing.What impact would you expect this development to have on voter participation rates?

Accepted Answer

Older adults tend to have higher voter participation rates compared to younger adults, often due to a stronger sense of civic duty and more stable lifestyles, which facilitate engagement in the political process.

Question 17

Recent data show that women are more likely to vote than men,but men are more likely to engage in other forms of political activity,such as contributing money to a campaign or joining a political organization.These differences reflect

Accepted Answer

The differences between men and women's political activity can be attributed to differences in resources and psychological engagement. Women may have more interest in voting due to their civic duty, but may have less disposable income and time to contribute to campaigns or join organizations. Men may have more resources available to engage in these activities, but may not prioritize voting as highly due to lower psychological engagement. These differences are not necessarily related to the income gap or women's interest and knowledge in politics, and there is no evidence to suggest that women are not welcomed by campaigns or organizations based on gender or introversion.

Question 18

How would increased voter turnout most likely influence election results?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that low-income individuals and minorities have lower voter turnout rates and tend to vote Democrat. Therefore, an increase in voter turnout would likely lead to more votes for Democratic candidates.

Question 19

In which of the following elections would you anticipate having the highest participation rate of eligible voters?

Accepted Answer

Presidential elections typically have the highest participation rate among eligible voters compared to other types of elections. This is because the presidency is the highest executive office in the United States, attracting more attention and interest from the public.

Question 20

Which of the following is the most common reason Americans give for not voting?

Accepted Answer

The most common reason Americans give for not voting is being too busy or having conflicting schedules. This has been consistently reported in surveys and studies examining voter participation.

Quiz 7: Political Participation