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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. As measured by gross domestic product (GDP), California’s economy:
a. is the largest in the world
b. is not much different than an average U.S. state
*c. ranks among the ten largest countries in the world
d. ranks among the ten smallest countries in the world
2. “A process through which people with differing goals and values try to manage their
conflicts by working together to allocate values for society” is a definition of:
a. communism
*b. politics
c. political culture
d. hybrid democracy
5. The definition of a “hybrid democracy” is:
a. a citizenry whose rights are guaranteed by both a national and a state constitution
b. a state that was once a territory but was admitted to the union without a waiting period
*c. a state with a combination of representative and direct democracy
d. a democracy that is run by incumbents who are reelected, year after year
6. According to the book, ____________ (is/are) at the heart of politics.
*a. choices
b. the constitution
c. representatives
d. incentives and disincentives
8. Approximately how many people in California are foreign-born?
a. one out of two (50 percent)
*b. one in four (25 percent)
c. one in ten (10 percent)
d. one out of 100 (1 percent)
10. One of the features that defines California’s political culture is:
a. social and economic conservatism
b. strong political party affiliation and a healthy and competitive two-party system
c. strong trust in state government; government is seen as a positive force
*d. fondness for political reform, and general dislike of politicians
11. How many representatives represent California in Congress?
a. 21 Representatives plus 2 Senators
b. 33 Representatives plus 2 Senators
*c. 53 Representatives plus 2 Senators
d. 74 Representatives plus 2 Senators
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. As measured by gross domestic product (GDP), California’s economy:
a. is the largest in the world
b. is not much different than an average U.S. state
*c. ranks among the ten largest countries in the world
d. ranks among the ten smallest countries in the world
2. “A process through which people with differing goals and values try to manage their
conflicts by working together to allocate values for society” is a definition of:
a. communism
*b. politics
c. political culture
d. hybrid democracy
5. The definition of a “hybrid democracy” is:
a. a citizenry whose rights are guaranteed by both a national and a state constitution
b. a state that was once a territory but was admitted to the union without a waiting period
*c. a state with a combination of representative and direct democracy
d. a democracy that is run by incumbents who are reelected, year after year
6. According to the book, ____________ (is/are) at the heart of politics.
*a. choices
b. the constitution
c. representatives
d. incentives and disincentives
8. Approximately how many people in California are foreign-born?
a. one out of two (50 percent)
*b. one in four (25 percent)
c. one in ten (10 percent)
d. one out of 100 (1 percent)
10. One of the features that defines California’s political culture is:
a. social and economic conservatism
b. strong political party affiliation and a healthy and competitive two-party system
c. strong trust in state government; government is seen as a positive force
*d. fondness for political reform, and general dislike of politicians
11. How many representatives represent California in Congress?
a. 21 Representatives plus 2 Senators
b. 33 Representatives plus 2 Senators
*c. 53 Representatives plus 2 Senators
d. 74 Representatives plus 2 Senators
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. As measured by gross domestic product (GDP), California’s economy:
a. is the largest in the world
b. is not much different than an average U.S. state
*c. ranks among the ten largest countries in the world
d. ranks among the ten smallest countries in the world
2. “A process through which people with differing goals and values try to manage their
conflicts by working together to allocate values for society” is a definition of:
a. communism
*b. politics
c. political culture
d. hybrid democracy
5. The definition of a “hybrid democracy” is:
a. a citizenry whose rights are guaranteed by both a national and a state constitution
b. a state that was once a territory but was admitted to the union without a waiting period
*c. a state with a combination of representative and direct democracy
d. a democracy that is run by incumbents who are reelected, year after year
6. According to the book, ____________ (is/are) at the heart of politics.
*a. choices
b. the constitution
c. representatives
d. incentives and disincentives
8. Approximately how many people in California are foreign-born?
a. one out of two (50 percent)
*b. one in four (25 percent)
c. one in ten (10 percent)
d. one out of 100 (1 percent)
10. One of the features that defines California’s political culture is:
a. social and economic conservatism
b. strong political party affiliation and a healthy and competitive two-party system
c. strong trust in state government; government is seen as a positive force
*d. fondness for political reform, and general dislike of politicians
11. How many representatives represent California in Congress?
a. 21 Representatives plus 2 Senators
b. 33 Representatives plus 2 Senators
*c. 53 Representatives plus 2 Senators
d. 74 Representatives plus 2 Senators
Chapter 1
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. As measured by gross domestic product (GDP), California’s economy:
a. is the largest in the world
b. is not much different than an average U.S. state
*c. ranks among the ten largest countries in the world
d. ranks among the ten smallest countries in the world
2. “A process through which people with differing goals and values try to manage their
conflicts by working together to allocate values for society” is a definition of:
a. communism
*b. politics
c. political culture
d. hybrid democracy
5. The definition of a “hybrid democracy” is:
a. a citizenry whose rights are guaranteed by both a national and a state constitution
b. a state that was once a territory but was admitted to the union without a waiting period
*c. a state with a combination of representative and direct democracy
d. a democracy that is run by incumbents who are reelected, year after year
6. According to the book, ____________ (is/are) at the heart of politics.
*a. choices
b. the constitution
c. representatives
d. incentives and disincentives
8. Approximately how many people in California are foreign-born?
a. one out of two (50 percent)
*b. one in four (25 percent)
c. one in ten (10 percent)
d. one out of 100 (1 percent)
10. One of the features that defines California’s political culture is:
a. social and economic conservatism
b. strong political party affiliation and a healthy and competitive two-party system
c. strong trust in state government; government is seen as a positive force
*d. fondness for political reform, and general dislike of politicians
11. How many representatives represent California in Congress?
a. 21 Representatives plus 2 Senators
b. 33 Representatives plus 2 Senators
*c. 53 Representatives plus 2 Senators
d. 74 Representatives plus 2 Senators
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
14. What is the main function of a political institution?
a. To increase general levels of political participation.
b. To provide politicians a building in which to conduct their business.
c. To allow citizens to bypass politicians in their quest for self-governance.
*d. To facilitate compromises that lead to acceptable alternatives or solutions.
18. The largest city in California is:
a. San Francisco
*b. Los Angeles
c. Fresno
d. San Diego
19. How many counties are contained within California?
a. five
b. twenty-one
c. thirty-nine
*d. fifty-eight
20. How long has California been a U.S. state?
a. about 50 years
b. about 100 years
*c. more than 150 years
d. more than 200 years
21. Where is California’s capital, where state elected officials conduct most of their
legislative and executive business?
*a. Sacramento
b. San Francisco
c. Los Angeles
d. Eureka
22. The capital of California is __________________.
*a. Sacramento
Type: F
23. To understand politics, it is also important to understand the rules, because rules
create _________________.
*a. incentives (for action and inaction)
Type: F
24. Six fundamental concepts for understanding politics include: choice, political culture,
institutions, rules, history, and _________ (working together for mutual benefit).
*a. collective action
Essay or Short Answer Questions
14. What is the main function of a political institution?
a. To increase general levels of political participation.
b. To provide politicians a building in which to conduct their business.
c. To allow citizens to bypass politicians in their quest for self-governance.
*d. To facilitate compromises that lead to acceptable alternatives or solutions.
18. The largest city in California is:
a. San Francisco
*b. Los Angeles
c. Fresno
d. San Diego
19. How many counties are contained within California?
a. five
b. twenty-one
c. thirty-nine
*d. fifty-eight
20. How long has California been a U.S. state?
a. about 50 years
b. about 100 years
*c. more than 150 years
d. more than 200 years
21. Where is California’s capital, where state elected officials conduct most of their
legislative and executive business?
*a. Sacramento
b. San Francisco
c. Los Angeles
d. Eureka
22. The capital of California is __________________.
*a. Sacramento
Type: F
23. To understand politics, it is also important to understand the rules, because rules
create _________________.
*a. incentives (for action and inaction)
Type: F
24. Six fundamental concepts for understanding politics include: choice, political culture,
institutions, rules, history, and _________ (working together for mutual benefit).
*a. collective action
Essay or Short Answer Questions
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
14. What is the main function of a political institution?
a. To increase general levels of political participation.
b. To provide politicians a building in which to conduct their business.
c. To allow citizens to bypass politicians in their quest for self-governance.
*d. To facilitate compromises that lead to acceptable alternatives or solutions.
18. The largest city in California is:
a. San Francisco
*b. Los Angeles
c. Fresno
d. San Diego
19. How many counties are contained within California?
a. five
b. twenty-one
c. thirty-nine
*d. fifty-eight
20. How long has California been a U.S. state?
a. about 50 years
b. about 100 years
*c. more than 150 years
d. more than 200 years
21. Where is California’s capital, where state elected officials conduct most of their
legislative and executive business?
*a. Sacramento
b. San Francisco
c. Los Angeles
d. Eureka
22. The capital of California is __________________.
*a. Sacramento
Type: F
23. To understand politics, it is also important to understand the rules, because rules
create _________________.
*a. incentives (for action and inaction)
Type: F
24. Six fundamental concepts for understanding politics include: choice, political culture,
institutions, rules, history, and _________ (working together for mutual benefit).
*a. collective action
Essay or Short Answer Questions
14. What is the main function of a political institution?
a. To increase general levels of political participation.
b. To provide politicians a building in which to conduct their business.
c. To allow citizens to bypass politicians in their quest for self-governance.
*d. To facilitate compromises that lead to acceptable alternatives or solutions.
18. The largest city in California is:
a. San Francisco
*b. Los Angeles
c. Fresno
d. San Diego
19. How many counties are contained within California?
a. five
b. twenty-one
c. thirty-nine
*d. fifty-eight
20. How long has California been a U.S. state?
a. about 50 years
b. about 100 years
*c. more than 150 years
d. more than 200 years
21. Where is California’s capital, where state elected officials conduct most of their
legislative and executive business?
*a. Sacramento
b. San Francisco
c. Los Angeles
d. Eureka
22. The capital of California is __________________.
*a. Sacramento
Type: F
23. To understand politics, it is also important to understand the rules, because rules
create _________________.
*a. incentives (for action and inaction)
Type: F
24. Six fundamental concepts for understanding politics include: choice, political culture,
institutions, rules, history, and _________ (working together for mutual benefit).
*a. collective action
Essay or Short Answer Questions
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
3. Define the term “politics.”
*a. Varies. Politics may be defined as “a process through which people with differing
goals and values try to manage their conflicts by working together to allocate values for
society.” Most definitions emphasize that it is a process of managing conflict, often
through bargaining and compromise. Harold Lasswell defines politics as “who gets what,
when, and how.”
Type: E
15. Explain what a political institution is, and provide an example.
*a. A political institution is an organization designed to manage conflict that often arises
over the process of allocating goods and values for a society. Institutions define the roles
and rules for those who participate in them. In short, they are groups, traditional
practices, or formal organizations in which people come together to solve problems for a
society, or achieve collective action. Examples might include formal political institutions
such as parties (the Green Party, the Republican Party), Congress, the Presidency, the
courts, elections, or the tools of direct democracy (recall, referendum, initiative, which
are types of elections).
Type: E
16. Provide an example of a political institution in California.
*a. Varies. As defined in the book, an institution is “an organization designed to manage
conflict that often arises over the process of allocating goods and values for a society.”
Therefore, an institution includes virtually any local, county, or state office, agency,
department, or governmental branch; it could also be a formal process, group, or
organization that has been established by the state and exists to solve conflicts for
society. Examples: the Republican Party, the Democratic Party (and any named political
party, or political parties generally), elections, the legislature (including the Assembly or
the state Senate), the governor’s office, the executive branch, the courts, traffic court
(superior court), the Supreme Court of CA, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and so
on.
Type: E
17. With respect to politics, why do rules matter?
*a. Rules define who has power and how those authorities may legitimately use it. Rules
also create incentives for action and inaction. An average answer would suggest the
organizational benefits of having rules, or alternatively, might allude to the fact that
without rules anarchy would arise. A good answer would explain the function rules
perform in a political system (as defined above), or suggest an example of a rule that
creates an incentive or disincentive for action, such as a local ordinance that rewards
those who conserve water or a fine placed on those who waste it.
Type: E
25. What are some of the conditions that make governing California difficult?
@ Why do elected officials in California have such a difficult time governing the state?
*a. Although this question is addressed throughout the book, the short answer is that
3. Define the term “politics.”
*a. Varies. Politics may be defined as “a process through which people with differing
goals and values try to manage their conflicts by working together to allocate values for
society.” Most definitions emphasize that it is a process of managing conflict, often
through bargaining and compromise. Harold Lasswell defines politics as “who gets what,
when, and how.”
Type: E
15. Explain what a political institution is, and provide an example.
*a. A political institution is an organization designed to manage conflict that often arises
over the process of allocating goods and values for a society. Institutions define the roles
and rules for those who participate in them. In short, they are groups, traditional
practices, or formal organizations in which people come together to solve problems for a
society, or achieve collective action. Examples might include formal political institutions
such as parties (the Green Party, the Republican Party), Congress, the Presidency, the
courts, elections, or the tools of direct democracy (recall, referendum, initiative, which
are types of elections).
Type: E
16. Provide an example of a political institution in California.
*a. Varies. As defined in the book, an institution is “an organization designed to manage
conflict that often arises over the process of allocating goods and values for a society.”
Therefore, an institution includes virtually any local, county, or state office, agency,
department, or governmental branch; it could also be a formal process, group, or
organization that has been established by the state and exists to solve conflicts for
society. Examples: the Republican Party, the Democratic Party (and any named political
party, or political parties generally), elections, the legislature (including the Assembly or
the state Senate), the governor’s office, the executive branch, the courts, traffic court
(superior court), the Supreme Court of CA, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and so
on.
Type: E
17. With respect to politics, why do rules matter?
*a. Rules define who has power and how those authorities may legitimately use it. Rules
also create incentives for action and inaction. An average answer would suggest the
organizational benefits of having rules, or alternatively, might allude to the fact that
without rules anarchy would arise. A good answer would explain the function rules
perform in a political system (as defined above), or suggest an example of a rule that
creates an incentive or disincentive for action, such as a local ordinance that rewards
those who conserve water or a fine placed on those who waste it.
Type: E
25. What are some of the conditions that make governing California difficult?
@ Why do elected officials in California have such a difficult time governing the state?
*a. Although this question is addressed throughout the book, the short answer is that
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
California’s problems exist on a massive scale: it is “hyper-diverse” with respect to
demographics, geography, society, politics, and economics. In other words, among the
U.S. states California contains the largest population, largest economy, most diverse
landscapes and land uses, and tremendous racial and ethnic diversity. (Students might
provide some details about the state’s characteristics here.) These conditions combine to
create complex issues that require long-range solutions, careful planning, and sometimes
consensus and compromise, yet these are difficult to achieve in a state where citizens
fundamentally distrust politicians and have the means (direct democracy) to take matters
into their own hands. Some of the issues that respondents might mention are:
immigration, climate change, drought, budgetary issues (taxation, balancing budgets),
economic conditions (unemployment, recession or relative prosperity), prison
overcrowding or prison population reduction (realignment), infrastructure needs.
Type: E
26. Weather events have political dimensions. Describe how changes in the climate create
problems and issues that require a response from California governing officials.
*a. Varies. Whether short- or long-term, extreme weather events can have devastating
effects on infrastructure, availability of water and electricity, biodiversity, transportation
systems, commerce and industry, and the economy generally. Most of these lead to
higher costs for governments that must respond to emergencies or longer-term effects on
people, businesses, and the environment. Some of the impacts of prolonged drought have
been on water availability and quality, economic losses in the tourism and agricultural
industries in particular, and costs related to damaged infrastructure (broken pipes,
bridges, sewer lines, roads) because of sinking land. Water scarcity calls into question the
proper balance of water rights that are shared among people, the environment, and
agriculture, and has prompted new legislation to provide financial assistance to people
affected by drought and to manage groundwater and water supplies generally. Excessive
drought is also related to more frequent wildfires and potential loss of wildlife. An
abundance of water brought by heavy rains places similar stresses on people, the
environment, and the economy: mudslides and flooding create emergency situations that
require costly repairs and responses from the state.
Type: E
28. What principles are important for understanding California politics?
*a. 1. Choices: choices are at the heart of politics. To elaborate, everyone makes choices
in a political system; successful political system provides a process for narrowing choices
to a manageable number and allows many participants to reconcile their differences as
they make choices together. 2. Political culture: every system has a distinct culture that
reflects the decisions that emerge from a political process, decisions that together express
a political community’s customs, values, and beliefs about government. 3. Institutions:
institutions bring people together to solve problems on behalf of society. They are
arrangements that manage conflict and organize action, facilitating compromises, trade-
offs, or bargains that lead to acceptable solutions or alternatives. 4. Collective action: the
concept of working together to solve problems and allocating goods or values for a
society. 5. Rules: rules matter, because they define who has power and how they may
legitimately use it; rules create incentives for action or inaction. 6. History: history shapes
California’s problems exist on a massive scale: it is “hyper-diverse” with respect to
demographics, geography, society, politics, and economics. In other words, among the
U.S. states California contains the largest population, largest economy, most diverse
landscapes and land uses, and tremendous racial and ethnic diversity. (Students might
provide some details about the state’s characteristics here.) These conditions combine to
create complex issues that require long-range solutions, careful planning, and sometimes
consensus and compromise, yet these are difficult to achieve in a state where citizens
fundamentally distrust politicians and have the means (direct democracy) to take matters
into their own hands. Some of the issues that respondents might mention are:
immigration, climate change, drought, budgetary issues (taxation, balancing budgets),
economic conditions (unemployment, recession or relative prosperity), prison
overcrowding or prison population reduction (realignment), infrastructure needs.
Type: E
26. Weather events have political dimensions. Describe how changes in the climate create
problems and issues that require a response from California governing officials.
*a. Varies. Whether short- or long-term, extreme weather events can have devastating
effects on infrastructure, availability of water and electricity, biodiversity, transportation
systems, commerce and industry, and the economy generally. Most of these lead to
higher costs for governments that must respond to emergencies or longer-term effects on
people, businesses, and the environment. Some of the impacts of prolonged drought have
been on water availability and quality, economic losses in the tourism and agricultural
industries in particular, and costs related to damaged infrastructure (broken pipes,
bridges, sewer lines, roads) because of sinking land. Water scarcity calls into question the
proper balance of water rights that are shared among people, the environment, and
agriculture, and has prompted new legislation to provide financial assistance to people
affected by drought and to manage groundwater and water supplies generally. Excessive
drought is also related to more frequent wildfires and potential loss of wildlife. An
abundance of water brought by heavy rains places similar stresses on people, the
environment, and the economy: mudslides and flooding create emergency situations that
require costly repairs and responses from the state.
Type: E
28. What principles are important for understanding California politics?
*a. 1. Choices: choices are at the heart of politics. To elaborate, everyone makes choices
in a political system; successful political system provides a process for narrowing choices
to a manageable number and allows many participants to reconcile their differences as
they make choices together. 2. Political culture: every system has a distinct culture that
reflects the decisions that emerge from a political process, decisions that together express
a political community’s customs, values, and beliefs about government. 3. Institutions:
institutions bring people together to solve problems on behalf of society. They are
arrangements that manage conflict and organize action, facilitating compromises, trade-
offs, or bargains that lead to acceptable solutions or alternatives. 4. Collective action: the
concept of working together to solve problems and allocating goods or values for a
society. 5. Rules: rules matter, because they define who has power and how they may
legitimately use it; rules create incentives for action or inaction. 6. History: history shapes
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
the opportunities and incentives for political action (decisions often build on prior ones).
Type: E
29. About how many people live in California?
@ What is the population of California?
*a. almost 39 million (or between 38 and 40 million)
True or False Questions
4. One reason for California’s “crazy quilt” of governing institutions, rules, and processes
is that citizens can bypass the legislature by using the initiative process.
*a. True
b. False
7. A high percentage of Californians (one of every four persons) is foreign-born.
*a. True
b. False
9. California has about the same percentage of Non-Hispanic whites as the rest of the
U.S.
a. True
*b. False
12. As recently as 2000, the California state legislature was considered one of the best in
the nation.
a. True
*b. False
13. As recently as 1970, the California state legislature was generally considered one of
the best in the nation.
*a. True
b. False
27. Compared to New York, another large state, California has a lower percentage of
foreign-born residents.
a. True
*b. False
30. Because California is such a large state, fluctuations in the global or national
economies have almost no effect on the state’s economy.
a. True
*b. False
the opportunities and incentives for political action (decisions often build on prior ones).
Type: E
29. About how many people live in California?
@ What is the population of California?
*a. almost 39 million (or between 38 and 40 million)
True or False Questions
4. One reason for California’s “crazy quilt” of governing institutions, rules, and processes
is that citizens can bypass the legislature by using the initiative process.
*a. True
b. False
7. A high percentage of Californians (one of every four persons) is foreign-born.
*a. True
b. False
9. California has about the same percentage of Non-Hispanic whites as the rest of the
U.S.
a. True
*b. False
12. As recently as 2000, the California state legislature was considered one of the best in
the nation.
a. True
*b. False
13. As recently as 1970, the California state legislature was generally considered one of
the best in the nation.
*a. True
b. False
27. Compared to New York, another large state, California has a lower percentage of
foreign-born residents.
a. True
*b. False
30. Because California is such a large state, fluctuations in the global or national
economies have almost no effect on the state’s economy.
a. True
*b. False
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
Chapter 2
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. The first European explorers to arrive in what is known as California were:
a. English
b. French
*c. Spanish
d. Dutch
2. What replaced the major Native American tribal settlements along a road that came to
be known as “El Camino Real,” the King’s Highway?
a. small white castles, each dedicated to European monarchs
*b. missions
c. presidios only
d. tribal governments
4. How many missions were established in what is now the state of California?
a. about 10, but most have been destroyed
b. 12: one for each of Jesus’s disciples
*c. 21, and most are named for saints
d. 50: one for each large Spanish presidio
5. When was the first mission built?
a. 1542
b. 1648
*c. 1769
d. 1830
6. Mission complexes functioned primarily as:
a. spiritual and religious centers
*b. ranches, or rancheros, that served as centers for religious, social, political, and
economic activities
c. military establishments
d. hospitals and education centers for Native populations
7. Until 1821, what country governed the Western lands containing California?
a. England
b. Portugal
c. Mexico
*d. Spain
8. Between 1821 and 1848, the lands containing California became part of which
country?
*a. Mexico
b. Spain
Chapter 2
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
1. The first European explorers to arrive in what is known as California were:
a. English
b. French
*c. Spanish
d. Dutch
2. What replaced the major Native American tribal settlements along a road that came to
be known as “El Camino Real,” the King’s Highway?
a. small white castles, each dedicated to European monarchs
*b. missions
c. presidios only
d. tribal governments
4. How many missions were established in what is now the state of California?
a. about 10, but most have been destroyed
b. 12: one for each of Jesus’s disciples
*c. 21, and most are named for saints
d. 50: one for each large Spanish presidio
5. When was the first mission built?
a. 1542
b. 1648
*c. 1769
d. 1830
6. Mission complexes functioned primarily as:
a. spiritual and religious centers
*b. ranches, or rancheros, that served as centers for religious, social, political, and
economic activities
c. military establishments
d. hospitals and education centers for Native populations
7. Until 1821, what country governed the Western lands containing California?
a. England
b. Portugal
c. Mexico
*d. Spain
8. Between 1821 and 1848, the lands containing California became part of which
country?
*a. Mexico
b. Spain
Loading page 7...
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
c. United States
d. Canada
9. The treaty that ended the two-year Mexican-American War in 1848 and transferred
California to U.S. power was:
a. Treaty with Spain
b. Treaty of Ghent
*c. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
d. Treaty of Los Angeles
11. Presidios were built for the primary purpose of
a. religious instruction
b. social interaction
c. economic development
*d. military protection
12. When was gold discovered in California?
*a. at the end of the Mexican-American War around 1848
b. about one hundred years before California became a state, when the Spanish ruled
California
c. about fifty years after California gained statehood
d. around 1821, when Mexico gained independence from Spain
13. Which group of laborers were recruited and employed by the railroad companies to
lay thousands of miles of track over the West’s rugged terrain?
a. Hispanics/Latinos
*b. Chinese
c. ethnic Americans from the Midwest and East
d. Africans
14. The first large wave of settlers arrived in California in 1848 as a result of:
a. ending the war with Mexico
*b. the discovery of gold
c. the opening of the transcontinental railroad
d. statehood
15. What did the U.S. government do to encourage the settlement of the West?
*a. It gave away millions of acres of land to railroad companies to encourage the
development of the West.
b. It fully funded the building of railroads to connect the coasts.
c. It funded the building of more missions.
d. It opened gold mines and put people to work.
17. What political movement in the early 1900s finally loosened the Southern Pacific’s
grip over state politics?
a. Socialist
c. United States
d. Canada
9. The treaty that ended the two-year Mexican-American War in 1848 and transferred
California to U.S. power was:
a. Treaty with Spain
b. Treaty of Ghent
*c. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
d. Treaty of Los Angeles
11. Presidios were built for the primary purpose of
a. religious instruction
b. social interaction
c. economic development
*d. military protection
12. When was gold discovered in California?
*a. at the end of the Mexican-American War around 1848
b. about one hundred years before California became a state, when the Spanish ruled
California
c. about fifty years after California gained statehood
d. around 1821, when Mexico gained independence from Spain
13. Which group of laborers were recruited and employed by the railroad companies to
lay thousands of miles of track over the West’s rugged terrain?
a. Hispanics/Latinos
*b. Chinese
c. ethnic Americans from the Midwest and East
d. Africans
14. The first large wave of settlers arrived in California in 1848 as a result of:
a. ending the war with Mexico
*b. the discovery of gold
c. the opening of the transcontinental railroad
d. statehood
15. What did the U.S. government do to encourage the settlement of the West?
*a. It gave away millions of acres of land to railroad companies to encourage the
development of the West.
b. It fully funded the building of railroads to connect the coasts.
c. It funded the building of more missions.
d. It opened gold mines and put people to work.
17. What political movement in the early 1900s finally loosened the Southern Pacific’s
grip over state politics?
a. Socialist
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
b. Communist
c. Liberal
*d. Progressive
21. Who was California’s most famous Progressive governor?
a. Leland Stanford
*b. Hiram Johnson
c. Jess Unruh
d. Artie Samish
23. Two Progressive reforms that aimed to weaken political parties were ________ and
________.
a. women’s suffrage; Alien Land Laws
b. municipal ownership of utilities; Alien Land Laws
c. universal education; women’s suffrage
*d. direct primaries; cross-filing
25. The Alien Land Laws instituted during the Progressive era were:
a. designed to prevent Asian-born or persons of Asian descent from owning land
b. a form of legal discrimination that reflected whites’ racial hostility
c. were in place even into the 1950s
*d. all of the above
26. Direct democracy enabled Californians to
a. participate in nominating candidates for office by voting in party primary elections
*b. propose laws and vote on them
c. put party bosses in prison
d. guarantee the public employment of qualified individuals rather than party loyalists
Type: F
27. Laws that prevented persons of Asian descent from becoming citizens or owning
property were known as _____________.
*a. Alien Land Laws
28. Alien Land Laws were in effect until what decade in California?
a. the 1880s
b. the 1900s
c. the 1920s
*d. the 1950s
29. The “Third House” refers to a group of people possessing great political power,
functioning like a third chamber of the state legislature. Historically, which group has
held this title?
*a. lobbyists for special interest groups
b. the Big Four
c. the Democratic party
b. Communist
c. Liberal
*d. Progressive
21. Who was California’s most famous Progressive governor?
a. Leland Stanford
*b. Hiram Johnson
c. Jess Unruh
d. Artie Samish
23. Two Progressive reforms that aimed to weaken political parties were ________ and
________.
a. women’s suffrage; Alien Land Laws
b. municipal ownership of utilities; Alien Land Laws
c. universal education; women’s suffrage
*d. direct primaries; cross-filing
25. The Alien Land Laws instituted during the Progressive era were:
a. designed to prevent Asian-born or persons of Asian descent from owning land
b. a form of legal discrimination that reflected whites’ racial hostility
c. were in place even into the 1950s
*d. all of the above
26. Direct democracy enabled Californians to
a. participate in nominating candidates for office by voting in party primary elections
*b. propose laws and vote on them
c. put party bosses in prison
d. guarantee the public employment of qualified individuals rather than party loyalists
Type: F
27. Laws that prevented persons of Asian descent from becoming citizens or owning
property were known as _____________.
*a. Alien Land Laws
28. Alien Land Laws were in effect until what decade in California?
a. the 1880s
b. the 1900s
c. the 1920s
*d. the 1950s
29. The “Third House” refers to a group of people possessing great political power,
functioning like a third chamber of the state legislature. Historically, which group has
held this title?
*a. lobbyists for special interest groups
b. the Big Four
c. the Democratic party
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
d. retired and former legislators
30. To what does the term “Third House” refer?
a. retired and former legislators who advise current legislators
b. the fact that the governor is usually given a state-owned residence in which to live
*c. a group that possesses great political power and functions like a third chamber of the
state legislature
d. the initiative industry, which employs paid signature gatherers in order to qualify many
initiative measures for the ballot
31. By cross-filing, any person could:
*a. run as a candidate in any political party’s primary election
b. run as a write-in candidate
c. apply to the legislature to fill a vacancy
d. run in the general election
33. Being awarded a government job based on one’s loyalty to a political party is called:
*a. patronage
b. civil service
c. indirect democracy
d. nonpartisanship
37. Who can be credited with creating California’s “hybrid democracy”?
a. the “Big Four”
b. the Populists
c. Artie Samish
*d. the Progressives
39. Prior to the 1960s, cozy relationships developed between legislators and lobbyists
because:
a. they had weak loyalty to political parties; lobbyists helped them get elected
b. they sought to supplement their low wages
c. lobbyists supplied needed information about bills, and legislators lacked staff
*d. all of the above
40. Socialist writer Upton Sinclair won statewide nomination for California governor by
representing which party?
a. Republican
*b. Democratic
c. Progressives
d. None of the above
41. California’s population significantly increased during the Great Depression, when
approximately 350,000 migrants from ________ arrived in search of work.
a. Mexico
d. retired and former legislators
30. To what does the term “Third House” refer?
a. retired and former legislators who advise current legislators
b. the fact that the governor is usually given a state-owned residence in which to live
*c. a group that possesses great political power and functions like a third chamber of the
state legislature
d. the initiative industry, which employs paid signature gatherers in order to qualify many
initiative measures for the ballot
31. By cross-filing, any person could:
*a. run as a candidate in any political party’s primary election
b. run as a write-in candidate
c. apply to the legislature to fill a vacancy
d. run in the general election
33. Being awarded a government job based on one’s loyalty to a political party is called:
*a. patronage
b. civil service
c. indirect democracy
d. nonpartisanship
37. Who can be credited with creating California’s “hybrid democracy”?
a. the “Big Four”
b. the Populists
c. Artie Samish
*d. the Progressives
39. Prior to the 1960s, cozy relationships developed between legislators and lobbyists
because:
a. they had weak loyalty to political parties; lobbyists helped them get elected
b. they sought to supplement their low wages
c. lobbyists supplied needed information about bills, and legislators lacked staff
*d. all of the above
40. Socialist writer Upton Sinclair won statewide nomination for California governor by
representing which party?
a. Republican
*b. Democratic
c. Progressives
d. None of the above
41. California’s population significantly increased during the Great Depression, when
approximately 350,000 migrants from ________ arrived in search of work.
a. Mexico
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
b. China, Japan and Vietnam
*c. the Dust Bowl states such as Oklahoma
d. the East Coast
42. In the post-war “boom” of the 1950s, what U.S. government program was created to
help ease labor shortages?
a. Oakie Program
*b. Bracero Program
c. Cross-filing Program
d. Infrastructure Program
43. How did California redesign its legislature as a result of a Supreme Court ruling in
1965 (Reynolds v. Sims)?
a. Representation in the upper house (the Senate) could only be based on county lines
b. Representation in the lower house (the Assembly) could only be based on county lines
*c. Representation in both houses had to be based on population
d. none of the above
44. As a result of redistricting after 1965, political influence in the legislature passed
from:
a. the south to the north
*b. rural to urban interests
c. senior legislators to junior members
d. the legislature to the governor’s office
45. The state legislature was transformed in 1966 by Proposition 1A, a measure that
professionalized the lawmaking body by:
*a. granting higher salary, more staff, and longer sessions
b. requiring both chambers to be based on population
c. equalizing the number of committees in each chamber
d. imposing term limits on every legislator
48. Which is the anti-tax initiative that succeeded in 1978, essentially limiting property
taxes to one percent of a building’s sale price?
a. Proposition 1
*b. Proposition 13
c. the DREAM Act
d. the Civil Rights Act
49. Population increases during the latter half of the twentieth century reflected migration
from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt, as well as immigration from:
*a. Mexico, Central America, and Vietnam
b. Mexico and Europe
c. Mexico and China
d. Europe and China
b. China, Japan and Vietnam
*c. the Dust Bowl states such as Oklahoma
d. the East Coast
42. In the post-war “boom” of the 1950s, what U.S. government program was created to
help ease labor shortages?
a. Oakie Program
*b. Bracero Program
c. Cross-filing Program
d. Infrastructure Program
43. How did California redesign its legislature as a result of a Supreme Court ruling in
1965 (Reynolds v. Sims)?
a. Representation in the upper house (the Senate) could only be based on county lines
b. Representation in the lower house (the Assembly) could only be based on county lines
*c. Representation in both houses had to be based on population
d. none of the above
44. As a result of redistricting after 1965, political influence in the legislature passed
from:
a. the south to the north
*b. rural to urban interests
c. senior legislators to junior members
d. the legislature to the governor’s office
45. The state legislature was transformed in 1966 by Proposition 1A, a measure that
professionalized the lawmaking body by:
*a. granting higher salary, more staff, and longer sessions
b. requiring both chambers to be based on population
c. equalizing the number of committees in each chamber
d. imposing term limits on every legislator
48. Which is the anti-tax initiative that succeeded in 1978, essentially limiting property
taxes to one percent of a building’s sale price?
a. Proposition 1
*b. Proposition 13
c. the DREAM Act
d. the Civil Rights Act
49. Population increases during the latter half of the twentieth century reflected migration
from the Rust Belt to the Sun Belt, as well as immigration from:
*a. Mexico, Central America, and Vietnam
b. Mexico and Europe
c. Mexico and China
d. Europe and China
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
51. Approximately when are (or were) Latinos projected to become an absolute majority
(over 50 percent)?
a. in 2010 – they’ve already reached that threshold
b. around 2020
*c. around 2050
d. never, because their numbers are declining after hitting a high in 2015
52. The nation’s first law regulating greenhouse gas emissions was signed into law by
Gov. Schwarzenegger, and is titled:
*a. AB 32
b. Proposition 11
c. the DREAM Act
d. the Clean Air Act
56. California’s experimentation with primary elections began with _____ and is
currently being tested again with the _____ primary.
a. open primary; closed primary
b. merit-based elections; automatic
c. “select and elect” method; civil service
*d. cross-filing; top-two
60. One consequence of the “top-two” primary has been:
a. more ideological conservatives are being elected to office
b. the disappearance of party polarization in the legislature
*c. candidates from the same party are competing against each other in many November
general election races
d. incumbents are losing at higher rates
61. Jerry Brown has been allowed to serve a record four terms as governor of California
because:
*a. he served his first two terms before term limits were enacted
b. the term limits law was changed recently to allow governors to serve four terms
c. term limits don’t apply to the governor’s office
d. he switched political parties
64. Demographic change can be seen in public schools, where non-Hispanic Whites
constituted _______ of all children enrolled in K-12 schools in 2013-14.
a. 10 percent
*b. 25 percent
c. 50 percent
d. 75 percent
70. Which private company was likened to an octopus in a famous cartoon, due to its
monopolistic control over all major aspects of economic life in early California including
banking, overland and overseas shipping, postal services, lumber, telegraph services,
other wholesale industries, and of course, politics?
51. Approximately when are (or were) Latinos projected to become an absolute majority
(over 50 percent)?
a. in 2010 – they’ve already reached that threshold
b. around 2020
*c. around 2050
d. never, because their numbers are declining after hitting a high in 2015
52. The nation’s first law regulating greenhouse gas emissions was signed into law by
Gov. Schwarzenegger, and is titled:
*a. AB 32
b. Proposition 11
c. the DREAM Act
d. the Clean Air Act
56. California’s experimentation with primary elections began with _____ and is
currently being tested again with the _____ primary.
a. open primary; closed primary
b. merit-based elections; automatic
c. “select and elect” method; civil service
*d. cross-filing; top-two
60. One consequence of the “top-two” primary has been:
a. more ideological conservatives are being elected to office
b. the disappearance of party polarization in the legislature
*c. candidates from the same party are competing against each other in many November
general election races
d. incumbents are losing at higher rates
61. Jerry Brown has been allowed to serve a record four terms as governor of California
because:
*a. he served his first two terms before term limits were enacted
b. the term limits law was changed recently to allow governors to serve four terms
c. term limits don’t apply to the governor’s office
d. he switched political parties
64. Demographic change can be seen in public schools, where non-Hispanic Whites
constituted _______ of all children enrolled in K-12 schools in 2013-14.
a. 10 percent
*b. 25 percent
c. 50 percent
d. 75 percent
70. Which private company was likened to an octopus in a famous cartoon, due to its
monopolistic control over all major aspects of economic life in early California including
banking, overland and overseas shipping, postal services, lumber, telegraph services,
other wholesale industries, and of course, politics?
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
a. Chevron Corporation
b. DuPont
c. Ford Motor Company
*d. The Southern Pacific Railroad
71. Until 1821, _________ governed the Western lands containing California, and
_________ ruled California for the next twenty years (until independence was won and
California became a U.S. state).
a. Mexico; Spain
b. Mexico; no one
*c. Spain; Mexico
d. Mexico; Native Americans
72. ____________ who came seeking gold or were recruited by the railroad companies to
lay railroad track over the West’s rugged terrain endured decades of legal discrimination
in California.
a. Mexican
b. European
c. Native American
*d. Chinese
Essay or Short Answer Questions
Type: E
3. What is a presidio?
*a. An army outpost, or a military establishment (like a fortress), built by the Spanish.
Type: E
16. Why was the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 so significant?
*a. Varies. California was reachable only by treacherous overland travel or ocean
voyages measuring thousands of miles. Communication with most of the country,
including the important East Coast states, was hampered by this distance and lack of
reliable and quick transportation. The opening of the railroad connected California with
the rest of the country in physical ways, and psychological ones as well. California no
longer seemed unreachable. The opening of the Transcontinental encouraged new waves
of immigrants from other countries and states, including a low-paid Chinese labor force
that had built the railroads, and settlers from the rest of the U.S. The process led to the
consolidation of political power in the Southern Pacific Railroad; already enriched from
land grants, it came to dominate virtually every aspect of life in the West, from shipping
to banking to mining.
Type: E
19. Four men became extremely wealthy and powerful as a result of their ownership of
the Southern Pacific, and were known as the “Big Four.” Name two of them.
*a. (Collis) Huntington; (Leland) Stanford; (Mark) Hopkins; (Charles) Crocker
Type: E
a. Chevron Corporation
b. DuPont
c. Ford Motor Company
*d. The Southern Pacific Railroad
71. Until 1821, _________ governed the Western lands containing California, and
_________ ruled California for the next twenty years (until independence was won and
California became a U.S. state).
a. Mexico; Spain
b. Mexico; no one
*c. Spain; Mexico
d. Mexico; Native Americans
72. ____________ who came seeking gold or were recruited by the railroad companies to
lay railroad track over the West’s rugged terrain endured decades of legal discrimination
in California.
a. Mexican
b. European
c. Native American
*d. Chinese
Essay or Short Answer Questions
Type: E
3. What is a presidio?
*a. An army outpost, or a military establishment (like a fortress), built by the Spanish.
Type: E
16. Why was the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 so significant?
*a. Varies. California was reachable only by treacherous overland travel or ocean
voyages measuring thousands of miles. Communication with most of the country,
including the important East Coast states, was hampered by this distance and lack of
reliable and quick transportation. The opening of the railroad connected California with
the rest of the country in physical ways, and psychological ones as well. California no
longer seemed unreachable. The opening of the Transcontinental encouraged new waves
of immigrants from other countries and states, including a low-paid Chinese labor force
that had built the railroads, and settlers from the rest of the U.S. The process led to the
consolidation of political power in the Southern Pacific Railroad; already enriched from
land grants, it came to dominate virtually every aspect of life in the West, from shipping
to banking to mining.
Type: E
19. Four men became extremely wealthy and powerful as a result of their ownership of
the Southern Pacific, and were known as the “Big Four.” Name two of them.
*a. (Collis) Huntington; (Leland) Stanford; (Mark) Hopkins; (Charles) Crocker
Type: E
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
20. Describe the political reforms established by the Progressives who dominated state
government from 1911-1917.
*a. Progressives reformed many types of laws, which encompassed workers’ rights,
ownership of public utilities, and more. Their most celebrated reforms concerned
elections and parties, which were geared toward ensuring fair political representation.
They established direct primaries, elections in which any party member could become a
candidate for office and gain the nomination of their fellow party members through
winning enough votes, rather than being picked by a party boss. They designated local
and judicial elections as nonpartisan, meaning that no party identification would appear
next to names listed on the ballot. They created the practice of cross-filing, which
allowed any candidates’ names to appear on any party’s primary election ballot (without
party labels), thus enabling candidates to obtain the nomination of more than one party.
They also championed civil service reforms, which disallowed parties in power from
rewarding their loyalists with government jobs; now such employment had to be earned
through demonstration of merit. Most importantly, they adopted direct democracy: the
initiative, referendum, and recall. Alien land laws, or laws restricting foreigners (Chinese
and Japanese specifically) also were created during this era.
Type: E
22. Why was the Southern Pacific Railroad compared to an octopus?
*a. The Southern Pacific Railroad was depicted as an octopus with its arms around every
major political and economic institution in the state. It monopolized the shipping and
transportation industries, the banking industry, telegraph, housing, mining, and other
industries as well. Because it used its financial power to “select and elect” politicians
who supported them, it also dominated politics at every level – from city councils to the
state legislature.
Type: E
24. Name four Progressive era reforms that were designed to disable political parties.
*a. secret voting; direct primaries; nonpartisan elections; cross-filing; civil service exams;
the initiative; the referendum; the recall.
Type: E
38. Explain how Progressives helped to trigger California’s first “giant political
earthquake.”
*a. Students should first address the need to reduce the Southern Pacific Railroad’s
extraordinary power over state affairs, and explain how their efforts helped to transform
people’s relationship to government and their control over the machinery of government.
To accomplish this, Progressives established reforms across a range of subjects, from
morals laws to labor laws, to transferring the ownership of public utilities to
municipalities. Their most important reforms concerned elections and parties, with the
goal of ensuring fair political representation. They established direct primaries, in which
any party member could become a candidate for office and gain the nomination of their
fellow party members through a regular party (primary) election. They designated local
and judicial elections as nonpartisan, meaning that no party identification would appear
next to names for offices listed on the ballot. They created the practice of cross-filing,
20. Describe the political reforms established by the Progressives who dominated state
government from 1911-1917.
*a. Progressives reformed many types of laws, which encompassed workers’ rights,
ownership of public utilities, and more. Their most celebrated reforms concerned
elections and parties, which were geared toward ensuring fair political representation.
They established direct primaries, elections in which any party member could become a
candidate for office and gain the nomination of their fellow party members through
winning enough votes, rather than being picked by a party boss. They designated local
and judicial elections as nonpartisan, meaning that no party identification would appear
next to names listed on the ballot. They created the practice of cross-filing, which
allowed any candidates’ names to appear on any party’s primary election ballot (without
party labels), thus enabling candidates to obtain the nomination of more than one party.
They also championed civil service reforms, which disallowed parties in power from
rewarding their loyalists with government jobs; now such employment had to be earned
through demonstration of merit. Most importantly, they adopted direct democracy: the
initiative, referendum, and recall. Alien land laws, or laws restricting foreigners (Chinese
and Japanese specifically) also were created during this era.
Type: E
22. Why was the Southern Pacific Railroad compared to an octopus?
*a. The Southern Pacific Railroad was depicted as an octopus with its arms around every
major political and economic institution in the state. It monopolized the shipping and
transportation industries, the banking industry, telegraph, housing, mining, and other
industries as well. Because it used its financial power to “select and elect” politicians
who supported them, it also dominated politics at every level – from city councils to the
state legislature.
Type: E
24. Name four Progressive era reforms that were designed to disable political parties.
*a. secret voting; direct primaries; nonpartisan elections; cross-filing; civil service exams;
the initiative; the referendum; the recall.
Type: E
38. Explain how Progressives helped to trigger California’s first “giant political
earthquake.”
*a. Students should first address the need to reduce the Southern Pacific Railroad’s
extraordinary power over state affairs, and explain how their efforts helped to transform
people’s relationship to government and their control over the machinery of government.
To accomplish this, Progressives established reforms across a range of subjects, from
morals laws to labor laws, to transferring the ownership of public utilities to
municipalities. Their most important reforms concerned elections and parties, with the
goal of ensuring fair political representation. They established direct primaries, in which
any party member could become a candidate for office and gain the nomination of their
fellow party members through a regular party (primary) election. They designated local
and judicial elections as nonpartisan, meaning that no party identification would appear
next to names for offices listed on the ballot. They created the practice of cross-filing,
Loading page 14...
California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
which allowed any candidates’ names to appear on any party’s primary election ballot
(without party labels), thus enabling candidates to obtain the nomination of more than
one party. They also championed civil service reforms, which disallowed parties in power
from rewarding their loyal supporters with government jobs; now such employment had
to be earned through demonstration of merit. Most importantly, they adopted direct
democracy: the initiative, referendum, and recall, empowering citizens with a great
measure of self-government by allowing them to circumvent government altogether in
the making of laws. Progressives fundamentally shook the foundations of government by
giving the people some of the same powers as elected officials, that of making laws and
establishing policies.
Type: E
46. What were the reasons behind “professionalizing” California’s legislature in 1966?
*a. By increasing the salary and making the job of legislating a full-time position, it was
hoped that legislative service would become attractive to people who couldn’t otherwise
give up their careers to become part-time legislators. They also hoped to create a
legislative body that could separate itself from the enticements of lobbyists, and be given
the necessary resources to compete on more equal footing with the executive branch.
Type: E
47. Why was the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 so significant?
*a. Prop 13 helped people realize the power of the initiative process; an overwhelming
number of voters supported the grassroots, citizen initiative that addressed a problem the
legislature refused to solve. Further, it forever changed the rules regarding taxation and
state budgeting practices, effectively altering the balance of power between states and
local governments. Those rule changes also affected the long-term availability of tax
revenue, which has an impact on state budgets to this day.
Type: E
50. In what major ways will racial and ethnic diversification continue to have important
political dimensions?
*a. Varies. Respondents should address the implications of different populations situating
or separating themselves geographically, and what this might mean for the ways that
resources are used and divided. Answers should address the possibility that different
groups will participate in politics at different rates and in different ways, and that
different kinds of populations may demand different kinds of goods, services, or values
from government. They may also mention that racial hostility may also be a factor in
decisions about who gets what, or who is entitled to what resources. Historically, the
initiative process has been used to impose restrictions on public benefits for immigrants
or undocumented persons; however, the state legislature (led by Democrats) has been
more willing to make accommodations for them, as seen with the recent passage of the
DREAM Act (a law that allows the undocumented children of immigrants to receive in-
state tuition), a process for granting special drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants
(AB 60), and expanding MediCal benefits to undocumented immigrant children.
Type: E
which allowed any candidates’ names to appear on any party’s primary election ballot
(without party labels), thus enabling candidates to obtain the nomination of more than
one party. They also championed civil service reforms, which disallowed parties in power
from rewarding their loyal supporters with government jobs; now such employment had
to be earned through demonstration of merit. Most importantly, they adopted direct
democracy: the initiative, referendum, and recall, empowering citizens with a great
measure of self-government by allowing them to circumvent government altogether in
the making of laws. Progressives fundamentally shook the foundations of government by
giving the people some of the same powers as elected officials, that of making laws and
establishing policies.
Type: E
46. What were the reasons behind “professionalizing” California’s legislature in 1966?
*a. By increasing the salary and making the job of legislating a full-time position, it was
hoped that legislative service would become attractive to people who couldn’t otherwise
give up their careers to become part-time legislators. They also hoped to create a
legislative body that could separate itself from the enticements of lobbyists, and be given
the necessary resources to compete on more equal footing with the executive branch.
Type: E
47. Why was the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 so significant?
*a. Prop 13 helped people realize the power of the initiative process; an overwhelming
number of voters supported the grassroots, citizen initiative that addressed a problem the
legislature refused to solve. Further, it forever changed the rules regarding taxation and
state budgeting practices, effectively altering the balance of power between states and
local governments. Those rule changes also affected the long-term availability of tax
revenue, which has an impact on state budgets to this day.
Type: E
50. In what major ways will racial and ethnic diversification continue to have important
political dimensions?
*a. Varies. Respondents should address the implications of different populations situating
or separating themselves geographically, and what this might mean for the ways that
resources are used and divided. Answers should address the possibility that different
groups will participate in politics at different rates and in different ways, and that
different kinds of populations may demand different kinds of goods, services, or values
from government. They may also mention that racial hostility may also be a factor in
decisions about who gets what, or who is entitled to what resources. Historically, the
initiative process has been used to impose restrictions on public benefits for immigrants
or undocumented persons; however, the state legislature (led by Democrats) has been
more willing to make accommodations for them, as seen with the recent passage of the
DREAM Act (a law that allows the undocumented children of immigrants to receive in-
state tuition), a process for granting special drivers licenses to undocumented immigrants
(AB 60), and expanding MediCal benefits to undocumented immigrant children.
Type: E
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
53. What kinds of ballot initiatives have targeted immigrants? Mention at least two.
*a. Making English the state’s official language; teaching children in English only;
denying citizenship to children born to undocumented workers; denying public payments
(welfare or medical benefits) to undocumented workers.
Type: E
54. Why was Governor Gray Davis recalled?
*a. Varies. Reasons typically cited are political and personal in nature. Political reasons:
Republican dislike of a Democrat; capitalizing on an opportune moment in which the
citizenry was outraged over rising electricity costs and a weakening economy, as well as
the fact that the governor had made himself unpopular by trying to help close the budget
gap by raising the car tax. Personal reasons: a lackluster governor, seen as a “pay-to-
play” politician who rewarded unions (prison guards, teachers) that were loyal to the
Democratic Party. He was also accused of lying about the budget deficit (it was worse
than he claimed publicly).
Type: E
55. Apart from the circus-like nature of the event, how did the recall election differ from
a regular election? In what respects was it similar to a regular election?
*a. Varies. Elements or aspects of the election that differed from a normal election cycle:
the election season was short (about half as long as a normal cycle); low barriers to entry
onto the ballot brought forth 135 qualified candidates (usually there are only 2 major
party candidates); the media was intently focused on the event, more so than usual; the
public became intensely engaged in the process. Elements similar to a normal cycle: it
was expensive (about $80 million was spent); a few top candidates emerged and the
media closely scrutinized them; televised debates were held among the top candidates.
Type: E
57. Describe the political earthquakes that have “rocked” California throughout her
statehood. What have been the political consequences of those upheavals?
*a. 1. The Gold Rush beginning in 1848, which brought the state’s massive population
boom. 2. The rise of the Progressives in state government, including Governor Hiram
Johnson and a majority in the legislature, who joined forces to change the rules of
political representation and participation. Their biggest accomplishments: helping to
destroy the Southern Pacific Railroad’s party base, and instituting direct democracy. 3.
Population boom and industrialization boom following World War II, which brought
unprecedented growth. (Students understandably may not recognize this as an
“earthquake” as its effects were drawn out). 4. Proposition 13 in 1978: recognition of the
initiative process as a “normal route” for making major policy changes. 5. Recalling the
governor (removing Gray Davis and electing Arnold Schwarzenegger). Note: Term limits
in 1990 might also be considered an earthquake; this is discussed in chapter 5.
Long-lasting impacts or consequences: weak party identification among the electorate,
because parties were prevented from having controlling influence over elections, and did
everything in their power to eliminate partisanship from elections (nonpartisan local
elections; instituting primary elections; establishing cross-filing). Political parties could
not control voters’ choices, and along with cross-filing, parties did not organize or
53. What kinds of ballot initiatives have targeted immigrants? Mention at least two.
*a. Making English the state’s official language; teaching children in English only;
denying citizenship to children born to undocumented workers; denying public payments
(welfare or medical benefits) to undocumented workers.
Type: E
54. Why was Governor Gray Davis recalled?
*a. Varies. Reasons typically cited are political and personal in nature. Political reasons:
Republican dislike of a Democrat; capitalizing on an opportune moment in which the
citizenry was outraged over rising electricity costs and a weakening economy, as well as
the fact that the governor had made himself unpopular by trying to help close the budget
gap by raising the car tax. Personal reasons: a lackluster governor, seen as a “pay-to-
play” politician who rewarded unions (prison guards, teachers) that were loyal to the
Democratic Party. He was also accused of lying about the budget deficit (it was worse
than he claimed publicly).
Type: E
55. Apart from the circus-like nature of the event, how did the recall election differ from
a regular election? In what respects was it similar to a regular election?
*a. Varies. Elements or aspects of the election that differed from a normal election cycle:
the election season was short (about half as long as a normal cycle); low barriers to entry
onto the ballot brought forth 135 qualified candidates (usually there are only 2 major
party candidates); the media was intently focused on the event, more so than usual; the
public became intensely engaged in the process. Elements similar to a normal cycle: it
was expensive (about $80 million was spent); a few top candidates emerged and the
media closely scrutinized them; televised debates were held among the top candidates.
Type: E
57. Describe the political earthquakes that have “rocked” California throughout her
statehood. What have been the political consequences of those upheavals?
*a. 1. The Gold Rush beginning in 1848, which brought the state’s massive population
boom. 2. The rise of the Progressives in state government, including Governor Hiram
Johnson and a majority in the legislature, who joined forces to change the rules of
political representation and participation. Their biggest accomplishments: helping to
destroy the Southern Pacific Railroad’s party base, and instituting direct democracy. 3.
Population boom and industrialization boom following World War II, which brought
unprecedented growth. (Students understandably may not recognize this as an
“earthquake” as its effects were drawn out). 4. Proposition 13 in 1978: recognition of the
initiative process as a “normal route” for making major policy changes. 5. Recalling the
governor (removing Gray Davis and electing Arnold Schwarzenegger). Note: Term limits
in 1990 might also be considered an earthquake; this is discussed in chapter 5.
Long-lasting impacts or consequences: weak party identification among the electorate,
because parties were prevented from having controlling influence over elections, and did
everything in their power to eliminate partisanship from elections (nonpartisan local
elections; instituting primary elections; establishing cross-filing). Political parties could
not control voters’ choices, and along with cross-filing, parties did not organize or
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
provide strong structure in the legislature until the late 1960s (legislative partisanship and
polarization are strong today). Reconfigured relationships between voters and their state
government by creating new forms of participation, whereby voters have the ability to
bypass the legislature to make laws (through direct democracy). Lingering resentment
toward politicians, and continued attempts (i.e. using the initiative process, recall, and
referenda) to constrain their behavior and activity.
Type: E
58. What significant elections-related changes have been brought about by election-
related initiatives passed in 2008 and 2010?
*a. 1. Students should mention the establishment of a citizens redistricting commission
(Voters FIRST Act, or Proposition 11) that was placed in charge of redrawing district
boundaries for the state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization, and (enabled by a
later initiative) Congressional representatives. The commission’s maps sparked lawsuits
despite its nonpartisan approach, and ultimately, more Democrats were elected to the
legislature – enough to attain a supermajority. Competition in the 2012 elections was
especially vigorous due to new maps pitting incumbents against each other. 2. The “Top
Two Primary” or open primary election (Proposition 11) allows voters to select from
among a longer list of all candidates for an office, and the top two vote-getters will
advance to the general election. The process was intended to encourage the election of
more moderate candidates, but there is so far limited evidence that this has occurred.
However, independents, or those who have “no party preference,” can now participate
fully in state elections. The new system did generate many district-wide (November)
general elections in which the top candidates represented the same party, an effect that is
expected to persist.
Type: E
59. In what specific, significant ways have voters tried to reshape the relationship
between citizens and their representatives?
*a. Varies. Many changes have also been brought through legislative action, but this
question asks students to recognize the fundamental changes that voters have imposed on
the elections system through the ballot box. The question presupposes an answer that
includes the mention of ballot initiatives, but a less attentive student might supply a
general answer that references the importance of imposing rules that influence
legislators’ behavior.
Specifically, although the initiative and referendum (instruments of direct democracy)
were initially signed into law by Gov. Hiram Johnson during the Progressive Era in 1911,
these processes have allowed citizens to assert their power by competing with and also
overriding the legislature to make laws. The recall imposed the ultimate threat to elected
officials by reminding them that they could be discharged from office should they anger
voters with their actions, as the recall of Gray Davis (in 2003) shows.
Proposition 1A’s professionalization of the legislature was intended to loosen the ties
between legislators and lobbyists, and by implication, redirect their attention to public
interests and thereby strengthen their connections with citizens. The success of the anti-
tax measure, Proposition 13, reminded legislators that citizens were “in charge,” and
limited elected officials’ ability to raise taxes without gathering supermajority support
provide strong structure in the legislature until the late 1960s (legislative partisanship and
polarization are strong today). Reconfigured relationships between voters and their state
government by creating new forms of participation, whereby voters have the ability to
bypass the legislature to make laws (through direct democracy). Lingering resentment
toward politicians, and continued attempts (i.e. using the initiative process, recall, and
referenda) to constrain their behavior and activity.
Type: E
58. What significant elections-related changes have been brought about by election-
related initiatives passed in 2008 and 2010?
*a. 1. Students should mention the establishment of a citizens redistricting commission
(Voters FIRST Act, or Proposition 11) that was placed in charge of redrawing district
boundaries for the state Assembly, Senate, and Board of Equalization, and (enabled by a
later initiative) Congressional representatives. The commission’s maps sparked lawsuits
despite its nonpartisan approach, and ultimately, more Democrats were elected to the
legislature – enough to attain a supermajority. Competition in the 2012 elections was
especially vigorous due to new maps pitting incumbents against each other. 2. The “Top
Two Primary” or open primary election (Proposition 11) allows voters to select from
among a longer list of all candidates for an office, and the top two vote-getters will
advance to the general election. The process was intended to encourage the election of
more moderate candidates, but there is so far limited evidence that this has occurred.
However, independents, or those who have “no party preference,” can now participate
fully in state elections. The new system did generate many district-wide (November)
general elections in which the top candidates represented the same party, an effect that is
expected to persist.
Type: E
59. In what specific, significant ways have voters tried to reshape the relationship
between citizens and their representatives?
*a. Varies. Many changes have also been brought through legislative action, but this
question asks students to recognize the fundamental changes that voters have imposed on
the elections system through the ballot box. The question presupposes an answer that
includes the mention of ballot initiatives, but a less attentive student might supply a
general answer that references the importance of imposing rules that influence
legislators’ behavior.
Specifically, although the initiative and referendum (instruments of direct democracy)
were initially signed into law by Gov. Hiram Johnson during the Progressive Era in 1911,
these processes have allowed citizens to assert their power by competing with and also
overriding the legislature to make laws. The recall imposed the ultimate threat to elected
officials by reminding them that they could be discharged from office should they anger
voters with their actions, as the recall of Gray Davis (in 2003) shows.
Proposition 1A’s professionalization of the legislature was intended to loosen the ties
between legislators and lobbyists, and by implication, redirect their attention to public
interests and thereby strengthen their connections with citizens. The success of the anti-
tax measure, Proposition 13, reminded legislators that citizens were “in charge,” and
limited elected officials’ ability to raise taxes without gathering supermajority support
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
(though this is merely an indirect way of “controlling” legislators’ behavior). Term limits
(Proposition 140) established the rule that representatives could not make a career of
legislative service, and sent the message that representatives could not be trusted with a
long career. Other voter initiatives have targeted how public officials are elected: open
primary elections, tested in 1998 with the blanket primary (but overturned by the
Supreme Court), and the “Top Two” primary election version, allow all voters to choose
from among all nominees for office, a process that underlines representatives’ obligations
to all voters. The creation of a citizens redistricting commission underscores citizens’
distrust of politicians over their perceived ability to “control” electoral outcomes. Placing
redistricting in an unelected board, subject to many layers of review, is expected to
influence the type of person who is ultimately elected. Voters have hoped to secure
representatives who reflect the overall ideological sentiments of their district, rather than
the ideas of the most extreme members; implicitly, this would create a legislature more
responsive to “average” people, who are not strong partisans.
63. Type: E
Name a few of the laws that Governor Jerry Brown and the legislature have established
recently.
*a. Varies. Among the laws mentioned at the end of Chapter 2 are the following:
groundwater regulations; ban on single-use plastic bags; tighter regulations on assisted-
living facilities; expansion of “revenge porn” laws; phase-out of lead bullets; increased
protections for transgender youth; mandated tracking of chemicals used in the process of
hydraulic fracturing (fracking); regulations on marijuana sales; raised the minimum wage
to $9 per hour in 2014 and $10 per hour in 2016. Other laws discussed in Chapter 2 or the
book include: special driver licenses for undocumented immigrants; mandatory
vaccinations for schoolchildren with almost no exceptions; higher filing fees for
initiatives ($2,000, up from $200). Other laws mentioned in Chapter 2 may be considered
“recent,” such as AB32, and the DREAM Act for undocumented immigrants. New laws
that have caught the attention of media but not discussed in Chapter 2 include: new “right
to die” law; prohibition on the state’s displaying or selling merchandize emblazoned with
the Confederate flag; ban on using the name “Redskins” in public schools; new “Motor
Voter” law allowing automatic voter registration when registering for a drivers license at
the DMV; mandatory paid sick days for part-time workers; expansion of alcohol tasting
events at retailers’ premises; allowing pets in outdoor seating areas of restaurants with
some conditions; stronger gender equality pay laws.
Note that both the Citizens Redistricting Commission (redistricting) and the “top-two”
primary were not enacted by the legislature and governor, but rather via the initiative
process.
True or False Questions
10. Presidios and missions were built for and served the same purposes.
a. True
*b. False
18. The political movement that brought direct democracy to California stayed within the
state’s borders, and to this day, no other states have direct democracy.
(though this is merely an indirect way of “controlling” legislators’ behavior). Term limits
(Proposition 140) established the rule that representatives could not make a career of
legislative service, and sent the message that representatives could not be trusted with a
long career. Other voter initiatives have targeted how public officials are elected: open
primary elections, tested in 1998 with the blanket primary (but overturned by the
Supreme Court), and the “Top Two” primary election version, allow all voters to choose
from among all nominees for office, a process that underlines representatives’ obligations
to all voters. The creation of a citizens redistricting commission underscores citizens’
distrust of politicians over their perceived ability to “control” electoral outcomes. Placing
redistricting in an unelected board, subject to many layers of review, is expected to
influence the type of person who is ultimately elected. Voters have hoped to secure
representatives who reflect the overall ideological sentiments of their district, rather than
the ideas of the most extreme members; implicitly, this would create a legislature more
responsive to “average” people, who are not strong partisans.
63. Type: E
Name a few of the laws that Governor Jerry Brown and the legislature have established
recently.
*a. Varies. Among the laws mentioned at the end of Chapter 2 are the following:
groundwater regulations; ban on single-use plastic bags; tighter regulations on assisted-
living facilities; expansion of “revenge porn” laws; phase-out of lead bullets; increased
protections for transgender youth; mandated tracking of chemicals used in the process of
hydraulic fracturing (fracking); regulations on marijuana sales; raised the minimum wage
to $9 per hour in 2014 and $10 per hour in 2016. Other laws discussed in Chapter 2 or the
book include: special driver licenses for undocumented immigrants; mandatory
vaccinations for schoolchildren with almost no exceptions; higher filing fees for
initiatives ($2,000, up from $200). Other laws mentioned in Chapter 2 may be considered
“recent,” such as AB32, and the DREAM Act for undocumented immigrants. New laws
that have caught the attention of media but not discussed in Chapter 2 include: new “right
to die” law; prohibition on the state’s displaying or selling merchandize emblazoned with
the Confederate flag; ban on using the name “Redskins” in public schools; new “Motor
Voter” law allowing automatic voter registration when registering for a drivers license at
the DMV; mandatory paid sick days for part-time workers; expansion of alcohol tasting
events at retailers’ premises; allowing pets in outdoor seating areas of restaurants with
some conditions; stronger gender equality pay laws.
Note that both the Citizens Redistricting Commission (redistricting) and the “top-two”
primary were not enacted by the legislature and governor, but rather via the initiative
process.
True or False Questions
10. Presidios and missions were built for and served the same purposes.
a. True
*b. False
18. The political movement that brought direct democracy to California stayed within the
state’s borders, and to this day, no other states have direct democracy.
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
a. True
*b. False
32. Today, some public employees have to take a civil service exam to show that they are
qualified for the position, a process that was established by Progressives over 100 years
ago.
*a. True
b. False
34. Thanks to the Progressives, candidates for local city councils and school boards run in
nonpartisan elections, meaning their party affiliation is not printed next to their names on
the ballot.
*a. True
b. False
35. A “nonpartisan” election means that only independents can run for certain elective
offices.
a. True
*b. False
36. Women were granted the right to vote in California state elections about ten years
before they were guaranteed the right to vote by the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.
*a. True
b. False
62. Unless the term limits law is changed again, Jerry Brown will be the only person in
state history to have served four terms as governor.
*a. True
b. False
65. Despite an improving national economy, California’s annual state budget continues to
run deficits that range into the billions of dollars.
a. True
*b. False
66. Democrats are the majority in the legislature, and now occupy almost every
statewide, constitutional executive office.
*a. True
b. False
67. Despite being the minority party in the state legislature, Republicans dominate the
statewide, constitutional executive offices.
a. True
*b. False
a. True
*b. False
32. Today, some public employees have to take a civil service exam to show that they are
qualified for the position, a process that was established by Progressives over 100 years
ago.
*a. True
b. False
34. Thanks to the Progressives, candidates for local city councils and school boards run in
nonpartisan elections, meaning their party affiliation is not printed next to their names on
the ballot.
*a. True
b. False
35. A “nonpartisan” election means that only independents can run for certain elective
offices.
a. True
*b. False
36. Women were granted the right to vote in California state elections about ten years
before they were guaranteed the right to vote by the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution.
*a. True
b. False
62. Unless the term limits law is changed again, Jerry Brown will be the only person in
state history to have served four terms as governor.
*a. True
b. False
65. Despite an improving national economy, California’s annual state budget continues to
run deficits that range into the billions of dollars.
a. True
*b. False
66. Democrats are the majority in the legislature, and now occupy almost every
statewide, constitutional executive office.
*a. True
b. False
67. Despite being the minority party in the state legislature, Republicans dominate the
statewide, constitutional executive offices.
a. True
*b. False
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
68. Democrats attained supermajority status in both chambers of the legislature in 2012,
something they hadn’t been able to do since 1883.
*a. True
b. False
69. Democrats in the legislature have made life difficult for Governor Jerry Brown,
because they have overridden most of his vetoes.
a. True
*b. False
68. Democrats attained supermajority status in both chambers of the legislature in 2012,
something they hadn’t been able to do since 1883.
*a. True
b. False
69. Democrats in the legislature have made life difficult for Governor Jerry Brown,
because they have overridden most of his vetoes.
a. True
*b. False
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
Chapter 3
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
Type: F
2. The three types of direct democracy are: ________, ________, and ________.
*a. initiative, recall, referendum
11. Citizens in California may propose laws via the initiative process:
*a. at the local, county and state levels
b. only at the state level
c. at the local level only
d. at the state level, but the legislature must review their proposals first and may reject them
Type: F
18. Californians can propose initiative ________ that establish new laws, or initiative ________
which add or amend the state constitution.
*a. statutes; constitutional amendments
24. What kinds of initiatives tend to attract the most spending by opponents and proponents?
a. immigration issues
b. economic reform
c. political reform
*d. issues that affect industry/business
25. How many votes are needed to pass an initiative or approve a recall?
*a. simple majority (50%+1)
b. plurality (most votes)
c. 2/3 supermajority
d. 3/5 supermajority
26. A________ vote is needed to pass initiatives; a ________ vote is needed to pass bond
measures.
a. supermajority; majority
*b. majority; supermajority
c. supermajority; supermajority
d. majority; majority
Type: F
32. The supermajority requirement to pass a school bond is _________ percent.
*a. 55 (fifty-five)
33. The supermajority requirement to pass a general obligation bond is _________ percent.
*a. 2/3, or two-thirds (66.66%)
Type: F
34. The percentage of votes required to pass an initiative in California is __________.
Chapter 3
Multiple Choice/Fill in the Blank
Type: F
2. The three types of direct democracy are: ________, ________, and ________.
*a. initiative, recall, referendum
11. Citizens in California may propose laws via the initiative process:
*a. at the local, county and state levels
b. only at the state level
c. at the local level only
d. at the state level, but the legislature must review their proposals first and may reject them
Type: F
18. Californians can propose initiative ________ that establish new laws, or initiative ________
which add or amend the state constitution.
*a. statutes; constitutional amendments
24. What kinds of initiatives tend to attract the most spending by opponents and proponents?
a. immigration issues
b. economic reform
c. political reform
*d. issues that affect industry/business
25. How many votes are needed to pass an initiative or approve a recall?
*a. simple majority (50%+1)
b. plurality (most votes)
c. 2/3 supermajority
d. 3/5 supermajority
26. A________ vote is needed to pass initiatives; a ________ vote is needed to pass bond
measures.
a. supermajority; majority
*b. majority; supermajority
c. supermajority; supermajority
d. majority; majority
Type: F
32. The supermajority requirement to pass a school bond is _________ percent.
*a. 55 (fifty-five)
33. The supermajority requirement to pass a general obligation bond is _________ percent.
*a. 2/3, or two-thirds (66.66%)
Type: F
34. The percentage of votes required to pass an initiative in California is __________.
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
*a. 50%+1 (a simple majority)
38. Most recalls in California are against which group of elected officials?
a. governors
b. county supervisors
c. state legislators
*d. school board members
42. The number of signatures needed to qualify an initiative for the ballot is based on:
a) the total number of registered voters at the point in time when signatures are validated
b) an estimate of eligible voters in the state
*c) a percentage of all votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election
d) the number of voters who turned out for the last election
46. The most common form of the referendum in California is:
a. the petition referendum
b. statutory initiatives
c. the recall of local officials
*d. a bond measure
68. In California, citizens can recall elected officials:
*a. for any reason
b. only for criminal convictions
c. only after they have been accused of a serious crime, or indicted for wrongdoing
d. only if the election results are determined to be corrupt or compromised
69. Historically, have Californians used the initiative process more often, less often, or at about
the same rate as other states with the initiative process?
*a. more often
b. less often
c. about the same
70. Which governor, representing which political party, was able to get direct democracy
embedded into California's constitution?
a. Leland Stanford; Progressive
*b. Hiram Johnson; Progressive
c. Jess Unruh; Democratic
d. Artie Samish; nonpartisan
48. Type: E
Define “petition referendum.”
*a. (Wording may vary). A referendum is a vote held by citizens on an existing law. Voters may
reject or approve recently signed laws or parts of laws (or redistricting maps) in California.
49. How long do petitioners have to collect signatures in order to qualify initiatives for the
ballot?
*a. 50%+1 (a simple majority)
38. Most recalls in California are against which group of elected officials?
a. governors
b. county supervisors
c. state legislators
*d. school board members
42. The number of signatures needed to qualify an initiative for the ballot is based on:
a) the total number of registered voters at the point in time when signatures are validated
b) an estimate of eligible voters in the state
*c) a percentage of all votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election
d) the number of voters who turned out for the last election
46. The most common form of the referendum in California is:
a. the petition referendum
b. statutory initiatives
c. the recall of local officials
*d. a bond measure
68. In California, citizens can recall elected officials:
*a. for any reason
b. only for criminal convictions
c. only after they have been accused of a serious crime, or indicted for wrongdoing
d. only if the election results are determined to be corrupt or compromised
69. Historically, have Californians used the initiative process more often, less often, or at about
the same rate as other states with the initiative process?
*a. more often
b. less often
c. about the same
70. Which governor, representing which political party, was able to get direct democracy
embedded into California's constitution?
a. Leland Stanford; Progressive
*b. Hiram Johnson; Progressive
c. Jess Unruh; Democratic
d. Artie Samish; nonpartisan
48. Type: E
Define “petition referendum.”
*a. (Wording may vary). A referendum is a vote held by citizens on an existing law. Voters may
reject or approve recently signed laws or parts of laws (or redistricting maps) in California.
49. How long do petitioners have to collect signatures in order to qualify initiatives for the
ballot?
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
a. one month (30 days)
b. three months (90 days)
*c. six months (180 days)
d. one year (365 days)
52. Citizens wishing to recall a governor must collect valid signatures equal to ________of the
votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election, or about ________ signatures.
a. 8 percent; 500,000
*b. 12 percent; 900,000
c. 25 percent; 2 million
d. 30 percent; 2.7 million
53. The initiatives that are usually brought to voters at the local level most often pertain to
a. civil rights and civil liberties
b. public morality
c. health, welfare, housing, criminal justice, housing
*d. the political process, taxes, and land use
55. The term “hybrid government” refers to:
a. a mixture of old laws with new initiatives
b. an efficient government
*c. a blending of direct democracy with representative democracy
d. a group of elected officials who represent every manner of ethnicity and race, reflecting the
state’s hyper-diversity
57. What is the most appropriate way to characterize California’s political system?
a. direct democracy
b. representative democracy
*c. hybrid democracy
d. confederation
59. Californians may vote on initiatives in which types of elections?
a. primary elections only
b. primaries and general elections only
*c. general elections and special elections only
d. special elections only
64. What is a nonpartisan election?
a. When Democrats and Republicans both run for the seat.
b. When no incumbent is running in the election.
c. Party labels appear next to the candidates’ names on the ballot.
*d. No party labels appear next to the candidates’ names on the ballot.
76. Which of these officials may be recalled in California?
a. only local officials
*b. local officials and state officials
a. one month (30 days)
b. three months (90 days)
*c. six months (180 days)
d. one year (365 days)
52. Citizens wishing to recall a governor must collect valid signatures equal to ________of the
votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election, or about ________ signatures.
a. 8 percent; 500,000
*b. 12 percent; 900,000
c. 25 percent; 2 million
d. 30 percent; 2.7 million
53. The initiatives that are usually brought to voters at the local level most often pertain to
a. civil rights and civil liberties
b. public morality
c. health, welfare, housing, criminal justice, housing
*d. the political process, taxes, and land use
55. The term “hybrid government” refers to:
a. a mixture of old laws with new initiatives
b. an efficient government
*c. a blending of direct democracy with representative democracy
d. a group of elected officials who represent every manner of ethnicity and race, reflecting the
state’s hyper-diversity
57. What is the most appropriate way to characterize California’s political system?
a. direct democracy
b. representative democracy
*c. hybrid democracy
d. confederation
59. Californians may vote on initiatives in which types of elections?
a. primary elections only
b. primaries and general elections only
*c. general elections and special elections only
d. special elections only
64. What is a nonpartisan election?
a. When Democrats and Republicans both run for the seat.
b. When no incumbent is running in the election.
c. Party labels appear next to the candidates’ names on the ballot.
*d. No party labels appear next to the candidates’ names on the ballot.
76. Which of these officials may be recalled in California?
a. only local officials
*b. local officials and state officials
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
c. local, state, and federal officials
d. only federal officials
Essay or Short Answer Questions
Type: E
1. How does direct democracy challenge the theoretical assumptions of representative
democracy?
*a. The U.S. Founders believed that representatives working in competing branches (executive
and legislative) would check each other with overlapping powers, would filter the passions of
their constituents through a deliberative process, and would find compromises in their quest to
make good public policy. The forms of direct democracy available to Californians are not suited
for deliberation or compromise, or “checks” against the tyranny of the majority; they offer “take-
them-or-leave-them” solutions that (with difficulty) can only be replaced with another
alternative, not amended.
Type: E
3. Describe the three types of direct democracy in California.
*a. The direct initiative (or simply, the initiative process) gives Californians the power to
propose constitutional amendments and laws that fellow citizens will vote on without the
legislature’s involvement. The referendum is a vote taken to approve or reject a measure already
passed by the legislature. Bond measures are a type of referendum. The recall allows voters to
remove and replace elected officials between regular elections.
Type: E
4. What is the difference between the direct and indirect initiative, and what type exists in
California?
*a. The direct initiative (or simply, the initiative process) gives Californians the power to
propose constitutional amendments and laws that fellow citizens will vote on without the
legislature’s involvement. The indirect initiative allows legislatures to first consider citizen-
initiated measures before they are presented to the public for a vote. Only the direct initiative
exists in California at the state level.
Type: E
9. In what sense is California government a “hybrid” government?
*a. Essentially, it combines the features of representative government (officials are elected to
positions in competing branches, such as an executive and a legislature) and direct democracy,
whereby the people have the power to make laws in a political process that is not checked by
another branch (except sometimes the judiciary). Students should be able to demonstrate an
understanding that the ability for citizens to participate in the lawmaking process negates the role
of representatives, and puts voters in charge of decision making.
Type: E
10. Name three landmark propositions (initiatives) passed in California after 1965; use the
proposition number and give a short title or description.
*a. Proposition 1A, Constitutional reform, legislative professionalization; Prop 9, Political
Reform Act (campaign finance reform); Prop 13, Property Tax Limitation; Prop 8, Victims’ bill
c. local, state, and federal officials
d. only federal officials
Essay or Short Answer Questions
Type: E
1. How does direct democracy challenge the theoretical assumptions of representative
democracy?
*a. The U.S. Founders believed that representatives working in competing branches (executive
and legislative) would check each other with overlapping powers, would filter the passions of
their constituents through a deliberative process, and would find compromises in their quest to
make good public policy. The forms of direct democracy available to Californians are not suited
for deliberation or compromise, or “checks” against the tyranny of the majority; they offer “take-
them-or-leave-them” solutions that (with difficulty) can only be replaced with another
alternative, not amended.
Type: E
3. Describe the three types of direct democracy in California.
*a. The direct initiative (or simply, the initiative process) gives Californians the power to
propose constitutional amendments and laws that fellow citizens will vote on without the
legislature’s involvement. The referendum is a vote taken to approve or reject a measure already
passed by the legislature. Bond measures are a type of referendum. The recall allows voters to
remove and replace elected officials between regular elections.
Type: E
4. What is the difference between the direct and indirect initiative, and what type exists in
California?
*a. The direct initiative (or simply, the initiative process) gives Californians the power to
propose constitutional amendments and laws that fellow citizens will vote on without the
legislature’s involvement. The indirect initiative allows legislatures to first consider citizen-
initiated measures before they are presented to the public for a vote. Only the direct initiative
exists in California at the state level.
Type: E
9. In what sense is California government a “hybrid” government?
*a. Essentially, it combines the features of representative government (officials are elected to
positions in competing branches, such as an executive and a legislature) and direct democracy,
whereby the people have the power to make laws in a political process that is not checked by
another branch (except sometimes the judiciary). Students should be able to demonstrate an
understanding that the ability for citizens to participate in the lawmaking process negates the role
of representatives, and puts voters in charge of decision making.
Type: E
10. Name three landmark propositions (initiatives) passed in California after 1965; use the
proposition number and give a short title or description.
*a. Proposition 1A, Constitutional reform, legislative professionalization; Prop 9, Political
Reform Act (campaign finance reform); Prop 13, Property Tax Limitation; Prop 8, Victims’ bill
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
of rights; Prop 98, Minimum funding levels for education; Prop 140, Term limits (modified in
2012 with Prop 28); Prop 184, Three strikes law; Prop 187, Ineligibility of illegal aliens for
public services (overturned by courts); Prop 198, Open primary elections (overturned); Prop 209,
ending affirmative action; Prop 215, Medical use of marijuana; Prop 5, Tribal gaming; Prop 227,
Elimination of bilingual education; Prop 11, Legislative redistricting; Prop 8, Definition of
marriage (outlawed same-sex marriage; invalidated in federal court); Prop 14, open primary or
“top two” vote-getter elections. Others are possible; these are listed in the book.
Type: E
13. Briefly describe the three stages through which an initiative must pass in order to become
law in California.
*a. Stage 1, Drafting and Titling stage: A proposed law is written, given a title and summary by
the Attorney General’s office. Stage 2, Qualification stage: Gathering and Verifying Signatures.
Authors circulate petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their measure within a given
time frame. After the deadline, the Secretary of State verifies whether enough signatures are
valid, and assigns it a number if it qualifies for the ballot (“Proposition #”). Stage 3, Campaign
stage: supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure. A
simple majority vote is needed to pass initiatives; supermajority votes are needed to pass bond
measures (2/3).
Type: E
14. Briefly describe the four stages through which an initiative must pass in order to take effect
California.
*a. Stage 1, Drafting and Titling: A proposed law is written, submitted to the Attorney General’s
office which posts it online for 30 days for public comment, can be changed or amended by
authors during a short window of time, and then is given a title and summary by the Attorney
General’s office. Stage 2, Qualification stage: Gathering and Verifying Signatures. Authors
circulate petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their measure within a given time
frame. After the deadline, the Secretary of State verifies whether enough signatures are valid,
and assigns it a number if it qualifies for the ballot (“Proposition #”). Stage 3, Campaigning:
supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure. A simple
majority vote is needed to pass initiatives; supermajority votes are needed to pass bond measures
(2/3). Stage 4, Postelection stage: measures take effect immediately, unless challenged in court.
Many measures must survive court challenges in order to take effect. (Astute students might also
point out that public officials sometimes try to find ways around initiatives, and that opponents
often try to overcome propositions with their own versions by trying to get them qualified for a
future election.)
Type: E
19. Describe two types of initiatives that may qualify for the state ballot.
*a. A proposed law is called a statutory initiative, and establishes a new law. A constitutional
amendment changes the language of the state constitution, by adding new provisions or changing
existing ones.
Type: E
20. What happens at the preparation stage of the initiative process?
of rights; Prop 98, Minimum funding levels for education; Prop 140, Term limits (modified in
2012 with Prop 28); Prop 184, Three strikes law; Prop 187, Ineligibility of illegal aliens for
public services (overturned by courts); Prop 198, Open primary elections (overturned); Prop 209,
ending affirmative action; Prop 215, Medical use of marijuana; Prop 5, Tribal gaming; Prop 227,
Elimination of bilingual education; Prop 11, Legislative redistricting; Prop 8, Definition of
marriage (outlawed same-sex marriage; invalidated in federal court); Prop 14, open primary or
“top two” vote-getter elections. Others are possible; these are listed in the book.
Type: E
13. Briefly describe the three stages through which an initiative must pass in order to become
law in California.
*a. Stage 1, Drafting and Titling stage: A proposed law is written, given a title and summary by
the Attorney General’s office. Stage 2, Qualification stage: Gathering and Verifying Signatures.
Authors circulate petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their measure within a given
time frame. After the deadline, the Secretary of State verifies whether enough signatures are
valid, and assigns it a number if it qualifies for the ballot (“Proposition #”). Stage 3, Campaign
stage: supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure. A
simple majority vote is needed to pass initiatives; supermajority votes are needed to pass bond
measures (2/3).
Type: E
14. Briefly describe the four stages through which an initiative must pass in order to take effect
California.
*a. Stage 1, Drafting and Titling: A proposed law is written, submitted to the Attorney General’s
office which posts it online for 30 days for public comment, can be changed or amended by
authors during a short window of time, and then is given a title and summary by the Attorney
General’s office. Stage 2, Qualification stage: Gathering and Verifying Signatures. Authors
circulate petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their measure within a given time
frame. After the deadline, the Secretary of State verifies whether enough signatures are valid,
and assigns it a number if it qualifies for the ballot (“Proposition #”). Stage 3, Campaigning:
supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure. A simple
majority vote is needed to pass initiatives; supermajority votes are needed to pass bond measures
(2/3). Stage 4, Postelection stage: measures take effect immediately, unless challenged in court.
Many measures must survive court challenges in order to take effect. (Astute students might also
point out that public officials sometimes try to find ways around initiatives, and that opponents
often try to overcome propositions with their own versions by trying to get them qualified for a
future election.)
Type: E
19. Describe two types of initiatives that may qualify for the state ballot.
*a. A proposed law is called a statutory initiative, and establishes a new law. A constitutional
amendment changes the language of the state constitution, by adding new provisions or changing
existing ones.
Type: E
20. What happens at the preparation stage of the initiative process?
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
*a. A new law or constitutional amendment is written or “drafted.” Lawyers may be consulted.
Drafts are submitted to the state Attorney General with a fee of $2000. The AG’s office posts the
measure online and allows 30 days of public comment. Authors then have 5 days to change their
proposal in response to the public comments if they choose. AG then assigns a title and
summary.
Type: E
21. What happens at the qualification stage of the initiative process?
*a. Proponents circulate strictly-formatted petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their
measure within a given time frame. Signature requirements are based on a percentage of all votes
cast for governor during the last election: 5 percent for initiatives (more than 365,880 signatures)
and 8 percent (more than 585,407 for a Constitutional amendment). Because so many signatures
are needed, proponents usually hire a signature-gathering firm to help. After a deadline of 180
days, petitions are submitted to county elections officials, who verify whether the collected
signatures are valid. If the Secretary of State certifies that the overall count of signatures is valid,
the measure qualifies and the Secretary will assign it a number (“Proposition #.”)
Type: E
22. What happens at the campaigning stage of the initiative process?
*a. Supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure, which
is now referred to as a Proposition, such as “Prop #.” If the measure is controversial, the measure
may generate considerable interest and millions of dollars may be spent to promote or defeat it.
(The most expensive campaigns easily exceed $50 million in total spending.)
Type: E
23. What happens during the postelection stage of the initiative process?
*a. Measures take effect immediately (following the election), unless an opponent challenges it
in court. Many measures must survive court challenges in order to take effect, and historically
many high-profile propositions have been invalidated in part or in whole. (Astute students might
also point out that public officials sometimes try to find ways around initiatives, and that
opponents often try to overcome propositions with their own versions by trying to get them
qualified for a future election. The only way to change or eliminate an initiative is to pass a new
one.)
Type: E
56. What are some of the perceived problems with today’s initiative process? What remedies
have been suggested to address them?
*a. Opinions abound over whether and how to reform the initiative process, and there is
considerable speculation over how effective those reforms may be. Issues include: 1) Paid
signature-gatherers are needed to meet signature requirements (remedy: give people more time to
collect signatures). 2) Big money dominates the process (remedy: limit campaign donations;
better disclosure of donor information needed). 3) Ballot measures are confusing and complex
(remedy: make more information accessible and available on-line). 4) There are too many
initiatives (remedy: allow the legislature to review or act on initiatives first; give courts a bigger
role). 5) Initiatives are too difficult to revise once passed (remedy: allow the legislature to amend
them after passage). 6) The state constitution contains overlapping and redundant measures
*a. A new law or constitutional amendment is written or “drafted.” Lawyers may be consulted.
Drafts are submitted to the state Attorney General with a fee of $2000. The AG’s office posts the
measure online and allows 30 days of public comment. Authors then have 5 days to change their
proposal in response to the public comments if they choose. AG then assigns a title and
summary.
Type: E
21. What happens at the qualification stage of the initiative process?
*a. Proponents circulate strictly-formatted petitions to gather enough signatures to qualify their
measure within a given time frame. Signature requirements are based on a percentage of all votes
cast for governor during the last election: 5 percent for initiatives (more than 365,880 signatures)
and 8 percent (more than 585,407 for a Constitutional amendment). Because so many signatures
are needed, proponents usually hire a signature-gathering firm to help. After a deadline of 180
days, petitions are submitted to county elections officials, who verify whether the collected
signatures are valid. If the Secretary of State certifies that the overall count of signatures is valid,
the measure qualifies and the Secretary will assign it a number (“Proposition #.”)
Type: E
22. What happens at the campaigning stage of the initiative process?
*a. Supporters and opponents campaign to convince voters to reject or accept the measure, which
is now referred to as a Proposition, such as “Prop #.” If the measure is controversial, the measure
may generate considerable interest and millions of dollars may be spent to promote or defeat it.
(The most expensive campaigns easily exceed $50 million in total spending.)
Type: E
23. What happens during the postelection stage of the initiative process?
*a. Measures take effect immediately (following the election), unless an opponent challenges it
in court. Many measures must survive court challenges in order to take effect, and historically
many high-profile propositions have been invalidated in part or in whole. (Astute students might
also point out that public officials sometimes try to find ways around initiatives, and that
opponents often try to overcome propositions with their own versions by trying to get them
qualified for a future election. The only way to change or eliminate an initiative is to pass a new
one.)
Type: E
56. What are some of the perceived problems with today’s initiative process? What remedies
have been suggested to address them?
*a. Opinions abound over whether and how to reform the initiative process, and there is
considerable speculation over how effective those reforms may be. Issues include: 1) Paid
signature-gatherers are needed to meet signature requirements (remedy: give people more time to
collect signatures). 2) Big money dominates the process (remedy: limit campaign donations;
better disclosure of donor information needed). 3) Ballot measures are confusing and complex
(remedy: make more information accessible and available on-line). 4) There are too many
initiatives (remedy: allow the legislature to review or act on initiatives first; give courts a bigger
role). 5) Initiatives are too difficult to revise once passed (remedy: allow the legislature to amend
them after passage). 6) The state constitution contains overlapping and redundant measures
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
because of the initiative process (remedy: require a revision process). 7) Too many initiatives are
declared unconstitutional (require the legislature to review; involve judges who can evaluate
their constitutionality; allow authors to withdraw measures).
Type: E
58. In simple terms, why did Progressive reformers establish direct democracy?
a. Reformers aimed to reduce the power of special interests and their lobbyists (i.e. to reduce the
actuality and potential for corruption), and wanted to increase the power of individuals as a
“check” against an unresponsive legislature or government.
Type: E
60. How does the initiative process at the local level differ from the process at the state level?
*a. At a basic level, the signature requirements are much lower in counties and municipalities
(numbering in the hundreds or few thousands), and the process of signature verification is carried
out by a local elections official, such as a county clerk. More importantly, citizens must first file
a notice of intent to file an initiative petition, alerting local officials to the possibility that an
issue will come before the voters. This step is not required at the state level. Moreover, local
officials have the right to take action on proposed laws before citizens have a chance to vote on
them; namely, city councils or boards of supervisors may adopt a proposal that has qualified for
the ballot. This step is not allowed at the state level.
Type: E
61. Does direct democracy work as the Progressives intended it? Why or why not?
*a. Students should address both the intentions and the consequences—actual or perceived—of
direct democracy. The Progressives intended to reduce the power of special interests in the
lawmaking process, and to empower citizens with that responsibility, particularly as needed to
bypass an uncooperative legislature and to establish popular laws. However, the process at the
state level is dominated by those who have the money and resources required to gather signatures
and campaign hard for a measure. Average citizens may be confused by conflicting and
oversimplified messages, misunderstand complex measures, be presented with choices that
require no compromise among competing groups, and be faced with measures that cannot be
easily altered once passed. Students should note the ways in which special interests dominate
each stage of the process. A more astute student might also note that if Progressives valued a
more efficient lawmaking process (as noted in Chapter 2), ballot-box lawmaking has had the
opposite effect in some cases, negatively influencing how lawmakers do their jobs by creating
rules that lead to stalemate and inflexibility. An astute answer would also consider institutional
impacts, which include in an incoherent and ever-changing set of rules for lawmakers, inflexible
rules (such as supermajority vote requirements that hinder compromise), and institutional
fragmentation, with processes having been pieced together over the years through unconnected
efforts and without regard to long-term planning. Finally, students might point out that direct
democracy at the local level can be more accessible to citizens because the signature
requirements are much lower, but that local measures rarely generate much attention unless the
issue is controversial or well-funded interests are at stake – which can mean (again) that citizens
without money to promote their messages will be drowned out.
Type: E
because of the initiative process (remedy: require a revision process). 7) Too many initiatives are
declared unconstitutional (require the legislature to review; involve judges who can evaluate
their constitutionality; allow authors to withdraw measures).
Type: E
58. In simple terms, why did Progressive reformers establish direct democracy?
a. Reformers aimed to reduce the power of special interests and their lobbyists (i.e. to reduce the
actuality and potential for corruption), and wanted to increase the power of individuals as a
“check” against an unresponsive legislature or government.
Type: E
60. How does the initiative process at the local level differ from the process at the state level?
*a. At a basic level, the signature requirements are much lower in counties and municipalities
(numbering in the hundreds or few thousands), and the process of signature verification is carried
out by a local elections official, such as a county clerk. More importantly, citizens must first file
a notice of intent to file an initiative petition, alerting local officials to the possibility that an
issue will come before the voters. This step is not required at the state level. Moreover, local
officials have the right to take action on proposed laws before citizens have a chance to vote on
them; namely, city councils or boards of supervisors may adopt a proposal that has qualified for
the ballot. This step is not allowed at the state level.
Type: E
61. Does direct democracy work as the Progressives intended it? Why or why not?
*a. Students should address both the intentions and the consequences—actual or perceived—of
direct democracy. The Progressives intended to reduce the power of special interests in the
lawmaking process, and to empower citizens with that responsibility, particularly as needed to
bypass an uncooperative legislature and to establish popular laws. However, the process at the
state level is dominated by those who have the money and resources required to gather signatures
and campaign hard for a measure. Average citizens may be confused by conflicting and
oversimplified messages, misunderstand complex measures, be presented with choices that
require no compromise among competing groups, and be faced with measures that cannot be
easily altered once passed. Students should note the ways in which special interests dominate
each stage of the process. A more astute student might also note that if Progressives valued a
more efficient lawmaking process (as noted in Chapter 2), ballot-box lawmaking has had the
opposite effect in some cases, negatively influencing how lawmakers do their jobs by creating
rules that lead to stalemate and inflexibility. An astute answer would also consider institutional
impacts, which include in an incoherent and ever-changing set of rules for lawmakers, inflexible
rules (such as supermajority vote requirements that hinder compromise), and institutional
fragmentation, with processes having been pieced together over the years through unconnected
efforts and without regard to long-term planning. Finally, students might point out that direct
democracy at the local level can be more accessible to citizens because the signature
requirements are much lower, but that local measures rarely generate much attention unless the
issue is controversial or well-funded interests are at stake – which can mean (again) that citizens
without money to promote their messages will be drowned out.
Type: E
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
62. How does the initiative process frustrate collective action?
*a. Collective action generally requires compromise and bargaining in order for many people to
work together to find solutions to their common problems. The initiative process thwarts
compromise by allowing only one proposal to be submitted to voters for an up-or-down vote (a
“take-it-or-leave-it” proposal), without any chance of changing it after it has qualified for the
ballot or has been enacted. Opponents may have difficulty bankrolling a rival measure, or might
have difficulty mounting an effective statewide campaign against a qualified measure because
they lack resources.
Type: E
63. What explains the increased use of the initiative process in the past few decades?
*a. Varies. Mentioned in the book is the development of signature-gathering firms, which make
it relatively easy for groups to collect enough signatures if they can afford the costs, which can
run into the millions of dollars. With respect to California’s political culture, using direct
democracy to exercise the “power of the people” (often to “get around the legislature”) is
generally acceptable, a pattern that was re-established in 1978 with Proposition 13, the famous
anti-tax measure. Also, vote requirements are regarded as being relatively low in a state as large
as California, and signature collection is relatively uncomplicated (there are no requirements to
gather signatures in every county, for example).
Type: E
73. In what ways does the initiative process in California advantage resource-rich, “special
interests” and disadvantage average citizens?
*a. Varies. The filing fee of $2,000 may deter citizens from filing an initiative, but the higher
hurdles lie at the signature-gathering stage. Because hundreds of thousands of signatures must be
gathered (usually about twice the required number of 365,880) within 180 days, a signature-
gathering firm usually will need to be hired to collect them – and they charge per-signature rates
that are far higher than most citizens can afford. Average citizens typically do not have the
know-how to run a statewide campaign or raise the millions of dollars needed to reach undecided
voters. Campaigns can be costly, and a majority (two-thirds) of all donations to initiative
campaigns are in amounts of $1 million or more. Finally, wealthy “special interests” may
dominate the airwaves with their own carefully-crafted messages, confusing or discouraging
average citizens who may not have time to become thoroughly educated about initiatives on the
ballot.
True or False Questions
5. California law requires the legislature to approve all initiatives before they reach the ballot.
a. True
*b. False
6. The legislature can refer measures to the ballot for the people to approve or disapprove.
*a. True
b. False
7. The California constitution allows the legislature to correct any mistakes or make changes to
all initiatives before they reach the ballot.
62. How does the initiative process frustrate collective action?
*a. Collective action generally requires compromise and bargaining in order for many people to
work together to find solutions to their common problems. The initiative process thwarts
compromise by allowing only one proposal to be submitted to voters for an up-or-down vote (a
“take-it-or-leave-it” proposal), without any chance of changing it after it has qualified for the
ballot or has been enacted. Opponents may have difficulty bankrolling a rival measure, or might
have difficulty mounting an effective statewide campaign against a qualified measure because
they lack resources.
Type: E
63. What explains the increased use of the initiative process in the past few decades?
*a. Varies. Mentioned in the book is the development of signature-gathering firms, which make
it relatively easy for groups to collect enough signatures if they can afford the costs, which can
run into the millions of dollars. With respect to California’s political culture, using direct
democracy to exercise the “power of the people” (often to “get around the legislature”) is
generally acceptable, a pattern that was re-established in 1978 with Proposition 13, the famous
anti-tax measure. Also, vote requirements are regarded as being relatively low in a state as large
as California, and signature collection is relatively uncomplicated (there are no requirements to
gather signatures in every county, for example).
Type: E
73. In what ways does the initiative process in California advantage resource-rich, “special
interests” and disadvantage average citizens?
*a. Varies. The filing fee of $2,000 may deter citizens from filing an initiative, but the higher
hurdles lie at the signature-gathering stage. Because hundreds of thousands of signatures must be
gathered (usually about twice the required number of 365,880) within 180 days, a signature-
gathering firm usually will need to be hired to collect them – and they charge per-signature rates
that are far higher than most citizens can afford. Average citizens typically do not have the
know-how to run a statewide campaign or raise the millions of dollars needed to reach undecided
voters. Campaigns can be costly, and a majority (two-thirds) of all donations to initiative
campaigns are in amounts of $1 million or more. Finally, wealthy “special interests” may
dominate the airwaves with their own carefully-crafted messages, confusing or discouraging
average citizens who may not have time to become thoroughly educated about initiatives on the
ballot.
True or False Questions
5. California law requires the legislature to approve all initiatives before they reach the ballot.
a. True
*b. False
6. The legislature can refer measures to the ballot for the people to approve or disapprove.
*a. True
b. False
7. The California constitution allows the legislature to correct any mistakes or make changes to
all initiatives before they reach the ballot.
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
a. True
*b. False
8. Californians use the initiative process more often than residents in other states that have an
initiative process.
*a. True
b. False
12. Direct democracy exists in all California counties and municipalities, meaning that citizens
can write laws, and with enough signatures, their measure will be put to a vote of the people
locally, either in cities or counties.
*a. True
b. False
15. Once a title and summary have been assigned to a proposed law or ballot proposition, the text
of law can be changed if mistakes are discovered.
a. True
*b. False
16. In order to qualify an initiative for the ballot, usually the signature gatherers must collect
about twice the number needed because so many are found to be invalid.
*a. True
b. False
17. More signatures are needed to qualify a Constitutional amendment for the ballot than are
needed for regular, statutory initiatives.
*a. True
b. False
27. In the United States, most of the states that allow citizen initiatives are in the midwest or
west.
*a. True
b. False
28. In the United States, no state on the east coast allows citizens to vote on laws without the
legislature’s prior involvement.
*a. True
b. False
29. Since 1911 when the initiative process was instituted, California voters on average have
tended to approve most (more than half) of the initiatives presented to them on the ballot.
a. True
*b. False
30. Initiatives and propositions are the same thing.
*a. True
a. True
*b. False
8. Californians use the initiative process more often than residents in other states that have an
initiative process.
*a. True
b. False
12. Direct democracy exists in all California counties and municipalities, meaning that citizens
can write laws, and with enough signatures, their measure will be put to a vote of the people
locally, either in cities or counties.
*a. True
b. False
15. Once a title and summary have been assigned to a proposed law or ballot proposition, the text
of law can be changed if mistakes are discovered.
a. True
*b. False
16. In order to qualify an initiative for the ballot, usually the signature gatherers must collect
about twice the number needed because so many are found to be invalid.
*a. True
b. False
17. More signatures are needed to qualify a Constitutional amendment for the ballot than are
needed for regular, statutory initiatives.
*a. True
b. False
27. In the United States, most of the states that allow citizen initiatives are in the midwest or
west.
*a. True
b. False
28. In the United States, no state on the east coast allows citizens to vote on laws without the
legislature’s prior involvement.
*a. True
b. False
29. Since 1911 when the initiative process was instituted, California voters on average have
tended to approve most (more than half) of the initiatives presented to them on the ballot.
a. True
*b. False
30. Initiatives and propositions are the same thing.
*a. True
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
b. False
31. A two-thirds vote is required to pass any kind of bond in California.
a. True
*b. False
35. Citizens may propose laws for California cities, towns, or counties.
*a. True
b. False
36. The process for passing an initiative at the local level is similar to that at the state level, in
that a certain number of signatures must be gathered and verified by a local elections official.
*a. True
b. False
37. Only city council members or mayors may propose laws or ordinances for California cities,
towns, or counties.
a. True
*b. False
39. In California, citizens can recall officials for any reason.
*a. True
b. False
40. Local initiatives are, on average, more successful than state initiatives.
*a. True
b. False
41. Regular, general obligation bond measures require a supermajority of 2/3 to pass; however,
there is a lower vote threshold for school bonds to pass (55 percent).
*a. True
b. False
43. California is the only state with the direct initiative; in all other initiative states, only the
indirect process is allowed.
a. True
*b. False
44. All states in the U.S. offer some form of the initiative process.
a. True
*b. False
45. All U.S. states allow their citizens to recall elected officials who commit crimes.
a. True
*b. False
b. False
31. A two-thirds vote is required to pass any kind of bond in California.
a. True
*b. False
35. Citizens may propose laws for California cities, towns, or counties.
*a. True
b. False
36. The process for passing an initiative at the local level is similar to that at the state level, in
that a certain number of signatures must be gathered and verified by a local elections official.
*a. True
b. False
37. Only city council members or mayors may propose laws or ordinances for California cities,
towns, or counties.
a. True
*b. False
39. In California, citizens can recall officials for any reason.
*a. True
b. False
40. Local initiatives are, on average, more successful than state initiatives.
*a. True
b. False
41. Regular, general obligation bond measures require a supermajority of 2/3 to pass; however,
there is a lower vote threshold for school bonds to pass (55 percent).
*a. True
b. False
43. California is the only state with the direct initiative; in all other initiative states, only the
indirect process is allowed.
a. True
*b. False
44. All states in the U.S. offer some form of the initiative process.
a. True
*b. False
45. All U.S. states allow their citizens to recall elected officials who commit crimes.
a. True
*b. False
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California Politics: A Primer, 4th Edition
47. Petition referenda are rare in California.
*a. True
b. False
50. Californians may recall any elected official if they gather the requisite number of valid
signatures.
*a. True
b. False
51. Citizens wishing to recall a governor should collect over 1 million valid signatures, because
many signatures might be invalidated later in the process.
*a. True
b. False
54. Historically, Californians have rejected far more initiatives than they have approved.
*a. True
b. False
65. Fewer signatures are needed to qualify a Constitutional amendment for the ballot than are
needed for regular, statutory initiatives.
a. True
*b. False
66. Does California law require the state Supreme Court to review initiatives before signatures
can be gathered?
a. Yes
*b. No
67. Does California law require at least one judge (any state judge) to review initiatives before
proponents can gather signatures?
a. Yes
*b. No
71. Do all U.S. states offer some form of the initiative process?
a. Yes
*b. No
72. Are local initiatives more likely or less likely to be approved by voters than state initiatives?
*a. More likely
b. Less likely
74. Because of the interest that must be repaid, a bond typically can cost about twice the face
amount that is borrowed. Thus, a $5 billion bond may actually cost taxpayers almost twice that
amount by the time it is paid off.
*a. True
b. False
47. Petition referenda are rare in California.
*a. True
b. False
50. Californians may recall any elected official if they gather the requisite number of valid
signatures.
*a. True
b. False
51. Citizens wishing to recall a governor should collect over 1 million valid signatures, because
many signatures might be invalidated later in the process.
*a. True
b. False
54. Historically, Californians have rejected far more initiatives than they have approved.
*a. True
b. False
65. Fewer signatures are needed to qualify a Constitutional amendment for the ballot than are
needed for regular, statutory initiatives.
a. True
*b. False
66. Does California law require the state Supreme Court to review initiatives before signatures
can be gathered?
a. Yes
*b. No
67. Does California law require at least one judge (any state judge) to review initiatives before
proponents can gather signatures?
a. Yes
*b. No
71. Do all U.S. states offer some form of the initiative process?
a. Yes
*b. No
72. Are local initiatives more likely or less likely to be approved by voters than state initiatives?
*a. More likely
b. Less likely
74. Because of the interest that must be repaid, a bond typically can cost about twice the face
amount that is borrowed. Thus, a $5 billion bond may actually cost taxpayers almost twice that
amount by the time it is paid off.
*a. True
b. False
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Subject
Political Science