Unit 3 Politics in Texas Unit III Texas Politics Overview of Political System Elements of a political system Interest Groups Media Party System in Texas Elections Campaigns and Political Behavior Texas Politics 1 Political System Defined The institutions machinery and processes that enable the people to select the individuals and ggroups p who will govern g and indicate to those selected what policies and programs are desired Texas Politics 2 Functions of a Political System Articulate the demands of society Select the individuals who occupy positions of power Provide clues as to the policies that government should adopt Texas Politics 3 1 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Environments which Influence a Political System Physical geography and natural resources g constitution and laws Legal Social ethnic racial balance political beliefs religious beliefs educational level Economic wealth levels economic activities wealth distribution Texas Politics 4 Types of Democratic Systems Elitist ruling oligarchy of interests Participatory universal citizen participation Pluralistic competition between interest groups creates public policy Pluralism with excessive interest group involvement which thwarts development of policy in public interest is known as Hyperpluralism Texas Politics 5 Political Culture System of shared values beliefs and habits of behavior in regard to government and p politics Texas Politics 6 2 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Elements of the Texas Political Culture Conservatism General hostility to government activity Stress on individualism Belief in free market economy laissez faire Emphasis on low taxes Pseudo laissez faire economics Support for business and wealthy Belief in Social Darwinism Texas Politics 7 Voters Campaigns Voters Campaigns and Elections Texas Government Suffrage and Voting Texas Politics 9 3 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Constitutional Provisions for Suffrage US Constitution Race 15th Amendment Sex 19th Amendment Taxes especially poll tax 24th Amendment Age if 18 years 26th Amendment Texas Constitution bars voting by Mentally incompetent Felons Paupers Texas Politics 10 Legal Requirements in Texas for Voting US Citizenship Over 18 years of Age Residency in state and county for 30 days prior to voting Texas Politics 11 Registration Procedures Application In person By mail Effective 31st day after application received Good until Dec 31 of odd numbered year Automatically renewed unless persons has moved or died Texas Politics 12 4 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Conditions for an Ideal Democracy Election campaigns are contests by opposing candidates in elections in which Candidates debate issues of public policy rather than in personal insults and negative campaigns Voters vote on the basis of policy issues Virtually universal participation Texas Politics 13 Elections in Texas Public Elections held by governmental body to decide issues or elect public officials Types of public elections Partisan 1st Tues after 1st Monday in November of even year Non partisan all other public elections in Texas Texas Politics 14 Partisan Elections Securing a ballot position Nominees of legal political parties Qualified independent candidates Declared write in candidates Conducting the election County Clerk or Election Administrator Texas Secretary of State supervises Cost is paid by county Texas Politics 15 5 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Non partisan Elections Types of non partisan elections Special elections called to fill interim vacancies or decide on issues Called and p paid for byy the unit of government g responsible p Generally conducted by this unit unless contracted to another unit of government General local elections held on one of the uniform election dates 2nd Saturday in May 1st Tues after 1st Monday in odd year plurality vs majority majority requires runoff election Texas Politics 16 Types of Elections At large all voters vote on all offices to be filled By place By place or positionposition if there are multiple positions for the same office voters chose from among candidates running for designated places or positions District elections voters may vote only for candidates in the district where they live Texas Politics 17 Ballot Listing Office column ballot candidates listed by office sought No indication of party affiliation noted on ballot Party column ballot candidates listed by party and by office sought Texas Politics 18 6 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Plurality Vote vs Majority Vote Plurality candidates receiving the most votes wins If there are more than two a candidates mayy win without an absolute majority Majority candidate must receive more votes than all opponents combined This may require a run off election 19 Texas Politics Party Primaries Held by the major parties primaries 1st Tuesday March Runoff on 2nd Tuesday in April Qualification Q lifi ti off candidates did t Filing fees Petition Financed by Filing fees State of Texas 20 Texas Politics Voter Turnout in US 2008 Texas 80 0 MN ME 52 2 70 0 WI NH OR 60 0 AK ID 50 0 IA SD 40 0 VT MI 30 0 OH CT 20 0 WA CO 10 0 ND MA 0 0 MO Pcnt WY FL Texas Politics 21 7 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Voter Turnout in TX 2008 National turnoutPopulation Texas turnout 61 63 percent Voting Age Registered Voters13 575 062 Voting Age Population VAP 17 735 442 Percentage of VAP Registered76 54 Turnout8 077 795 Percent of Turnout to Registered 59 50 Percent of Turnout to VAP45 55 Texas Politics 22 Voting Turnout Nov 2010 Texas Politics 23 Trends in Texas Politics Impact of ideologically oriented groups Impact of Political Action Committees p Inclusion of new ggroups Women Hispanics Afro Americans Religious groups Return to partisan equality in 2012 201 Texas Politics 24 8 Unit 3 Politics in Texas The Texas Media For a list of Texas Media http dir yahoo com Regional u s states texas Texas Government Types of Mass Media in Texas Newspapers Major dailies Houston Chronicle Dallas Morning News Fort Worth Star Telegram Austin American Statesman San Antonio Express News p El Paso Times Other dailies approximately 80 Weeklies no really accurate count number constantly changes For detailed listings see http www texaspress com onlinepapers html Texas Politics 26 Types of Mass Media in Texas Newsmagazines with political content Texas Monthly Texas Observer Texas Tribune Texas Politics 27 9 Unit 3 Politics in Texas Types of Mass Media in Texas Radio Stations News radio stations Drive music rock country oldies black music Hi Hispanic i National Public Radio Local AM