The Geography of Voting Rights

Description: This quiz aims to assess your knowledge about the geography of voting rights, exploring the historical and contemporary factors that influence voter participation and access to the ballot box.
Number of Questions: 14
Created by:
Tags: geography social justice voting rights voter participation
Attempted 0/14 Correct 0 Score 0

Which of these amendments to the U.S. Constitution prohibited states from depriving citizens the right to vote based on race?

  1. 13th Amendment

  2. 14th Amendment

  3. 15th Amendment

  4. 19th Amendment


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibits states from depriving citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

What was the primary goal of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

  1. To eliminate racial discrimination in voting

  2. To establish a national voter ID requirement

  3. To increase voter turnout among young people

  4. To reform campaign finance laws


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to eliminate racial discrimination in voting, particularly in the Southern United States.

Which Supreme Court case upheld the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

  1. Brown v. Board of Education

  2. Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

  3. Katzenbach v. Morgan

  4. Obergefell v. Hodges


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In the 1966 case Katzenbach v. Morgan, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, affirming the federal government's power to protect voting rights.

What is the term used to describe the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another?

  1. Gerrymandering

  2. Filibustering

  3. Electoral College

  4. Runoff election


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or group over another, often resulting in distorted or oddly shaped districts.

Which of these states has a history of restrictive voter ID laws that have been challenged in court?

  1. Texas

  2. California

  3. New York

  4. Illinois


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Texas has a history of restrictive voter ID laws that have been challenged in court, with critics arguing that these laws disproportionately impact minority voters.

What is the term used to describe the process of removing voters from the electoral rolls?

  1. Voter purging

  2. Electoral fraud

  3. Ballot stuffing

  4. Gerrymandering


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Voter purging is the process of removing voters from the electoral rolls, often through the use of inaccurate or outdated voter registration lists.

Which of these countries has a compulsory voting system, requiring citizens to vote in elections?

  1. United States

  2. Australia

  3. Canada

  4. United Kingdom


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Australia has a compulsory voting system, requiring citizens to vote in elections, with failure to do so resulting in fines or other penalties.

What is the term used to describe the practice of intentionally diluting the voting power of a particular group of voters?

  1. Vote dilution

  2. Gerrymandering

  3. Electoral fraud

  4. Ballot stuffing


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Vote dilution is the practice of intentionally diluting the voting power of a particular group of voters, often through the use of gerrymandering or other methods.

Which of these states has a history of felon disenfranchisement laws, restricting the voting rights of individuals with felony convictions?

  1. Florida

  2. California

  3. New York

  4. Illinois


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Florida has a history of felon disenfranchisement laws, restricting the voting rights of individuals with felony convictions, until a constitutional amendment in 2018 restored voting rights to most felons who have completed their sentences.

What is the term used to describe the practice of requiring voters to show identification at the polls?

  1. Voter ID laws

  2. Electoral fraud

  3. Ballot stuffing

  4. Gerrymandering


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Voter ID laws require voters to show identification at the polls, with the stated goal of preventing voter fraud, although critics argue that these laws can disproportionately impact minority voters.

Which of these countries has a system of proportional representation, where seats in the legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes received by each party?

  1. United States

  2. Australia

  3. Canada

  4. United Kingdom


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Australia has a system of proportional representation, where seats in the legislature are allocated based on the proportion of votes received by each party, ensuring a more representative outcome.

What is the term used to describe the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to create safe seats for incumbents?

  1. Incumbent protection

  2. Gerrymandering

  3. Electoral fraud

  4. Ballot stuffing


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Incumbent protection is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to create safe seats for incumbents, making it more difficult for challengers to win elections.

Which of these states has a history of restrictive early voting laws, limiting the number of days or hours that early voting is available?

  1. Texas

  2. California

  3. New York

  4. Illinois


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Texas has a history of restrictive early voting laws, limiting the number of days or hours that early voting is available, with critics arguing that these laws disproportionately impact minority voters.

What is the term used to describe the practice of using racial or ethnic data to draw electoral district boundaries?

  1. Racial gerrymandering

  2. Gerrymandering

  3. Electoral fraud

  4. Ballot stuffing


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Racial gerrymandering is the practice of using racial or ethnic data to draw electoral district boundaries, with the intent of diluting the voting power of minority groups.

- Hide questions