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POLS 207 EXAM 2 TAMU SMITH (ACTUAL 2025/2026)
EXAM QUESTIONS CORRECT ANSWERS
1) How do most people participate in the political system - (answers)Political
participation includes voting, running for office, participating in marches or
demonstrations, giving money, attending rallies, writing letter or emails, or
discussing issues with friends
2) What is a rational voter - (answers)A "rational" voter is one who will vote only
if the personal benefits outweigh the costs
3) Know who votes and who does not - (answers)Women are more likely to vote
than men, Socioeconomic: High education/income means more likely to vote.
Partisan competition related explanations: High turnout in swing states Media
predicting winners early explanation: Discourages later voters
4) Why do some states have higher voter turnout? - (answers)Voter registration
differs significantly across states, same day registration (also election day
registation) vs. 15-30 days in advance, Online, mail, ID, location, race, political
ideology, Voter turnout rates are higher in "swing" or "battleground" states (their
vote "counts" more)
5) How could voter turnout be increased? - (answers)-Secure convenient locations
-Secure larger venues
-More voting machines (lines will be shorter), Better, more efficient workers,
Shorter & better designed ballots
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6) Who or what determines voter qualifications? - (answers)-State determines
voter qualifications. Generally includes voter eligibility and verification (IDs),
voting locations and ease of voting, online Internet registration, ballot requests
and voting.
8) Know the responsible party model - (answers)1. Develop and clarify alternative
policy positions for the voters
2. Educate the people about the issues and simplify choices for them
3. Recruit candidates for public office who agree with the parties' policy positions
4. Organize and direct their candidates' campaigns to win office
5. Hold their elected officials responsible for enacting the parties' policy positions
after they are elected
6. Organize legislatures to ensure party control of policymaking.
10) Know the different types of elections (i.e. - (answers)general, primary,
initiative, recall, etc
11) What do the national party committees do? - (answers)hold a national
convention to formally select a party's presidential candidate
12) When is negative campaigning successful? - (answers)Negative campaigning -
soliciting voter support by attacking one's opponent
-It is successful when they focus on issues instead of a personal attack. Political
novices are more influenced by negative ads than their older counterparts.
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13)Baker v. Car - (answers)Stated that you had to take into account geographic
proximity. Districts had to be drawn in a meticulous manner
14) Know the functions of legislatures - (answers)-Enacting laws: Collectively
consider 101,000 per session, pass about 19,000 Considering constitutional
amendments, gubernatorial appointments, and state courts: Often shared
processes
-Approving budgets: May be single most important function
-Serving constituents: Requires great deal of legislators' time
-Overseeing state agencies: Frequently need to challenge state administrators
15) Why do incumbents win? - (answers)-Visibility - great visibility and name
recognitions, spend time during term campaigning for reelection.
-Resources of office - acquire greater resources, casework, 5 S's (space, salary,
session length, staff, structure
-Money - attract more campaign contributors than challenges
-Professionalism & Careerism - high pay makes them devote all of their time to
politics
16) What is apportionment? - (answers)The determination of how many residents
should live in a representative's district; must be equal (one person, one vote)
17) What is gerrymandering? - (answers)The drawing of electoral district
boundary lines to grant political advantage to a particular party, candidate, or
group
POLS 207 EXAM 2 TAMU SMITH (ACTUAL 2025/2026)
EXAM QUESTIONS CORRECT ANSWERS
1) How do most people participate in the political system - (answers)Political
participation includes voting, running for office, participating in marches or
demonstrations, giving money, attending rallies, writing letter or emails, or
discussing issues with friends
2) What is a rational voter - (answers)A "rational" voter is one who will vote only
if the personal benefits outweigh the costs
3) Know who votes and who does not - (answers)Women are more likely to vote
than men, Socioeconomic: High education/income means more likely to vote.
Partisan competition related explanations: High turnout in swing states Media
predicting winners early explanation: Discourages later voters
4) Why do some states have higher voter turnout? - (answers)Voter registration
differs significantly across states, same day registration (also election day
registation) vs. 15-30 days in advance, Online, mail, ID, location, race, political
ideology, Voter turnout rates are higher in "swing" or "battleground" states (their
vote "counts" more)
5) How could voter turnout be increased? - (answers)-Secure convenient locations
-Secure larger venues
-More voting machines (lines will be shorter), Better, more efficient workers,
Shorter & better designed ballots
,2|Page
6) Who or what determines voter qualifications? - (answers)-State determines
voter qualifications. Generally includes voter eligibility and verification (IDs),
voting locations and ease of voting, online Internet registration, ballot requests
and voting.
8) Know the responsible party model - (answers)1. Develop and clarify alternative
policy positions for the voters
2. Educate the people about the issues and simplify choices for them
3. Recruit candidates for public office who agree with the parties' policy positions
4. Organize and direct their candidates' campaigns to win office
5. Hold their elected officials responsible for enacting the parties' policy positions
after they are elected
6. Organize legislatures to ensure party control of policymaking.
10) Know the different types of elections (i.e. - (answers)general, primary,
initiative, recall, etc
11) What do the national party committees do? - (answers)hold a national
convention to formally select a party's presidential candidate
12) When is negative campaigning successful? - (answers)Negative campaigning -
soliciting voter support by attacking one's opponent
-It is successful when they focus on issues instead of a personal attack. Political
novices are more influenced by negative ads than their older counterparts.
, 3|Page
13)Baker v. Car - (answers)Stated that you had to take into account geographic
proximity. Districts had to be drawn in a meticulous manner
14) Know the functions of legislatures - (answers)-Enacting laws: Collectively
consider 101,000 per session, pass about 19,000 Considering constitutional
amendments, gubernatorial appointments, and state courts: Often shared
processes
-Approving budgets: May be single most important function
-Serving constituents: Requires great deal of legislators' time
-Overseeing state agencies: Frequently need to challenge state administrators
15) Why do incumbents win? - (answers)-Visibility - great visibility and name
recognitions, spend time during term campaigning for reelection.
-Resources of office - acquire greater resources, casework, 5 S's (space, salary,
session length, staff, structure
-Money - attract more campaign contributors than challenges
-Professionalism & Careerism - high pay makes them devote all of their time to
politics
16) What is apportionment? - (answers)The determination of how many residents
should live in a representative's district; must be equal (one person, one vote)
17) What is gerrymandering? - (answers)The drawing of electoral district
boundary lines to grant political advantage to a particular party, candidate, or
group
