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WorksheetsUnit 4 - What is a Vote Worth?
Total questions: 41
Worksheet time: 41mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
1. To what age did the Twenty-sixth Amendment lower the voting age?
a)
16
b)
18
c)
21
d)
25
2.
2. How did the Twenty-fourth Amendment allow more Americans to vote?
a)
It changed voting laws, which meant that non-US citizens were able to vote.
b)
It outlawed poll taxes, which many states used to prevent poor Americans from voting.
c)
It prevented grandfather clauses, which many states used to prevent women from voting.
d)
It required literacy tests, which meant that Americans became better educated about voting.
3.
3. How does the Fourteenth Amendment protect individual rights?
a)
By defining citizenship, it declares that all citizens have the same rights.
b)
By granting women the right to vote, it ensures women have a say in government
c)
By outlawing slavery, it gave African American men the right to vote
d)
By requiring the direct election of senators, it protects the principle of direct representation
4.
4. How did the Fourteenth Amendment’s due process clause extend the Bill of Rights?
a)
by claiming additional rights not mentioned in the Bill of Rights
b)
by extending the right to vote to all US citizens
c)
by granting full citizenship to African Americans
d)
by preventing states from denying rights granted in the Bill of Rights
5.
5. What happened as a result of the of the Thirteenth Amendment?
a)
African Americans got the right to vote
b)
All citizens were guaranteed equal protection under the law
c)
The right to own slaves was extended for 20 years
d)
Slavery was outlawed in all states and US territories
6.
6. According to the Fifteenth Amendment, on what basis could citizens no longer be denied the right to vote?
a)
on the basis of employment
b)
on the basis of gender
c)
on the basis of race or color
d)
on the basis of religion
7.
7. Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
a)
13th Amendment
b)
14th Amendment
c)
15th Amendment
d)
19th Amendment
8.
8. How is a state’s number of Electoral College votes determined?
a)
The number of representatives in the House and two Senators
b)
Total state population multiplied by .0435
c)
Every state gets 10 Electors
d)
Half the number of representatives in the House and 1 Senator
9.
9. What is the total number of Electoral College votes and how many are needed to win an election?
a)
Total 600; To win 301
b)
Total 501; To win 415
c)
Total 538; To win 270
d)
Total 435; To win 200
10.
10. A common criticism of the Electoral College is that it –
a)
gives too much power to states with the highest populations
b)
Gives too much power to smaller states
c)
Is not even a real college
d)
Allows a person to win the presidency without a majority of votes
11.
11. How has the overall spending trends of presidential campaigns changed since the 1960’s?
a)
Gone down
b)
Stayed the same
c)
Gone up slightly
d)
Gone up significantly
12.
12. The political extension of a special interest group that tries to influence public policy is known as a:
a)
Party Caucus
b)
Political Action Committee (PAC)
c)
Welfare System
d)
Investment Committee
13.
13. Literacy tests
a)
Are given to everyone who wants to register to vote
b)
Were used to try to keep African Americans from voting in some states
c)
Are given to voters who speak a language other than English
d)
Were required by the Constitution as a provision for voting prior to the Civil War
14.
14. Between 1915 and 1925, the size of the eligible voting population in the United States almost doubled. The main reason for this was that
a)
the economy was booming
b)
Native Americans were granted citizenship
c)
the 13th Amendment was ratified
d)
women were given the right to vote
15.
15. By 1972 those who had received the right to vote in all US elections and who had been previously disenfranchised included all EXCEPT
a)
African Americans
b)
naturalized illegal immigrants
c)
women
d)
18 year olds
16.
16. In America, presidential election voter turnout is typically around
a)
70-75%
b)
50-55%
c)
25-30%
d)
85-90%
17.
17. A voter’s age, education and income are among many __________________ factors that affect voter behavior.
a)
required
b)
metaphysical
c)
sociological
d)
academic
18.
18. Which one of the following groups is MOST likely to participate in an election?
a)
African Americans
b)
people with college degrees
c)
Hispanic voters
d)
people under age 35
19.
19. Which statement correctly describes political socialization?
a)
Political socialization is the term used to describe the growth of entitlement programs.
b)
Political socialization is a continuing process in which the adult years are the most important.
c)
Political socialization is the process through which individuals develop their political values and beliefs.
d)
Political socialization motivates citizens to become active in politics.
20.
20. The main reason why the popular vote and the electoral vote for president may be very different is
a)
electors often switch votes to vote for the winning candidate to gain political influence and advance their careers
b)
the winner-take-all system most states use in selecting electors
c)
the prevalence of horse-trading and corruption in American politics
d)
small states have more power in the Electoral College than their population would merit
21.
21. The most important influence in determining a person’s political party identification is the person’s
a)
friends
b)
parents
c)
teachers
d)
religious leaders
22.
22. The framers of the United States Constitution left decisions on voting eligibility to the
a)
civil rights agencies
b)
individual states
c)
US Supreme Court
d)
Senate
23.
23. Which of the following is true of political action committees (PACs)?
a)
They are allowed to contribute to only one candidate in a given contest.
b)
They make campaign contributions to gain access to legislators.
c)
They effectively control the presidential campaigns.
d)
They are a part of political party organizations.
24.
24. Explanations for low voter turnout include all or the following EXCEPT
a)
registration requirements
b)
weak party affiliation
c)
laws protecting voting rights for minorities
d)
weekday elections
25.
25. The main intent of “motor voter” laws is to
a)
increase voter registration
b)
increase voter turnout by providing transportation to polls for people without cars
c)
increase the rate at which incumbents are reelected to office
d)
prevent states from using literacy requirements for voting
26.
26. Which of the following is true of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ?
a)
It was declared unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno.
b)
It requires that minority officeholders be elected.
c)
It has never been applied to any group except southern African Americans
d)
It has been a major instrument for increasing the number of African American and other minority voters.
27.
27. A tax per head on individuals as a prerequisite for voting
a)
Jim Crow
b)
grandfather clause
c)
Literacy Test
d)
Poll Tax
28.
28. The laws that legitimized the practice of separation of the races in Southern public facilities. These laws were upheld by the Supreme Court in 1896 but reversed in 1954.
a)
Poll Tax
b)
Succession
c)
Grandfather Clause
d)
Jim Crow
29.
29. In the late 1800s, southern state governments used literacy tests, poll taxes, and grandfather clauses to
a)
require African Americans to attend school
b)
ensure that only individuals voted
c)
integrate public facilities
d)
prevent African American from voting
30.
30. The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
a)
Jim Crow Laws
b)
Campaign Finance
c)
Discrimination
d)
Socialization
31.
31. An organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, especially at the federal level.
a)
Restrict
b)
19th Amendment
c)
Motor Voter Act
d)
Political Action Committee
32.
32. Propose or formally enter as a candidate for election or for an honor or award.
a)
Suffrage
b)
Discrimination
c)
Nominate
d)
Socialization
33.
33. The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics.
a)
15th Amendment
b)
Mandate Theory of Elections
c)
Discrimination
d)
Campaign Finance
34.
34. The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable to society.
a)
Socialization
b)
Discrimination
c)
Nominate
d)
Jim Crow Laws
35.
35. Passed in 1993, this act went into effect for the 1996 election. It requires states to permit people to register to vote at the same time they apply for their driver's license.
a)
Restrict
b)
Political Action Committee
c)
19th Amendment
d)
Motor Voter Act
36.
36. A body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.
a)
Electoral College
b)
Campaign Finance
c)
Discrimination
d)
Socialization
37.
37. The right to vote.
a)
Nominate
b)
Suffrage
c)
Socialization
d)
Reform
38.
38. A circumstance or obstacle that keeps people or things apart or prevents communication or progress.
a)
Socialization
b)
Barrier
c)
Reform
d)
Nominate
39.
39. Deprive (someone or something) of freedom of movement or action.
a)
Nominate
b)
Political Action Committee
c)
Restrict
d)
14th Amendment
40.
40. Make changes in (something, typically a social, political, or economic institution or practice) in order to improve it.
a)
Reform
b)
Campaign Finance
c)
Discrimination
d)
Barrier
41.
41. Raising and spending of money intended to influence a political vote, such as the election of a candidate or a referendum
a)
Campaign Finance
b)
Discrimination
c)
Electoral College
d)
Socialization
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