Author Question: What are primary elections and how do they operate in Texas to nominate candidates of the major ... (Read 74 times)

jilianpiloj · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

What are primary elections and how do they operate in Texas to nominate candidates of the major political parties? What patterns describe voter participation in primaries, and why does it matter?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Texas passed a voter identification law in 2011 that went into effect in 2013. What does the law require of individuals wanting to vote? Why do advocates support the law? On what basis do some people oppose it?

What will be an ideal response?

mcabuhat · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Define primary elections.
2. Explain rules governing primaries in Texas, including what parties must use them to nominate candidates, the timing of primaries, eligibility to participate in primaries, and provisions for runoff elections.
3. Explain that primaries have lower participation rates than general elections and that runoff elections have even lower turnout than first-round primaries.
4. Explain that primary voters tend to be more ideological than the general public.
5. Explain that primaries may produce more extreme candidates.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that the law requires individuals to show photo identification issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety or the U.S. government to be able to vote.
2. Explain that supporters argue it is necessary to diminish voter fraud and that it does not place an undue burden on people.
3. Explain that opponents argue the law is a modern form of discrimination that will serve to disenfranchise minorities and the elderly at higher rates than other individuals.