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This is a fun and interesting topic! As you read this chapter, think about what would make you vote OR not vote for a candidate. Why are some candidates more “electable” than others? One topic I want to make sure you cover in this class is the topic of negative advertising and the role it plays in elections and campaigns.
Your Discussion Board Post Assignment:
There are a few options – pick one:
Option 1: There is an ongoing discussion right now about whether we should be able to vote by mail in ballot in Texas (and across the Untied States). It was a big issue in the November 2020 election, is being focused on heavily for the November 2022 mid-term elections, and for the November 2024 presidential election. Do some research on the arguments in favor of vote by mail AND the argument against vote by mail. Present both sides and then reach a conclusion on whether you think it is a good idea or not and explain your answer.
Option 2: Look at data on Texas voters from the last three elections in November 2016, November 2018, and November 2020. Tell us what the voter turnout was in these elections. What do you think about this? How do you think you could increase voter turnout in Texas and explain.
An interest group is a group of like-minded people who join together because they have common interests and want to impact the government in some way. For example, either to make a law, change a law, or keep a law the same. A lobbyist is a person who works for an interest group and advocates on the group’s behalf.
When you are reading this chapter I want you to think about the ways interest groups might impact you without you even knowing it. Interest groups impact laws, organize constituents, communicate with the government, and gather media support for change. Some people view interest groups and lobbyists negatively and some do not. Some people think the laws governing lobbyists are tough enough and some do not. Interest groups may work to change gun laws that impact you. An interest group may be working for less stringent laws that regulate the foods you eat or the pharmaceutical drugs you take. An interest group may be working to make the government lower cell phone rates so that you pay less money in your cell phone bill. Think about the fact that interest groups are operating every day and some of the laws you have to follow or things you use are impacted by the work an interest group is doing now or has done in the past.
Your Discussion Board Post Assignment:
I want you to do some research on the internet and find an interest group that you would be interested in joining / find one that you find interesting. In your post tell us about that interest group (name, goals of group, what has this group done that is significant – if anything). And then tell us whether you think the group has had a positive or negative influence on our Texas government and why.
You can Google “Texas interest groups” and many links will appear for interest groups – or Google “Texas interest groups…” – fill in the blank with what you are interested in – anything from gun control to same sex marriage – an interest group exists that promotes it. You can also go to the Project Vote Smart website under Interest Groups and there is a good list of national interest groups by category to get you started (some interest groups that are influential in Texas are also national. You can search by state so you can look under Texas or you can look for a national group that has a reach in Texas.
The last session of the Texas Legislature was the 87th Legislative Session and began on January 12, 2021 and ended on May 31, 2021. (The next session is the 88th Legislative Session and begins on January 10, 2023.) Spend one hour researching the 87th Texas Legislative Session and the priorities of this session.
Pick a piece of legislation that was introduced and write us an overview of it, your opinion of it, and whether you think it should have been passed by the House, Senate, and signed into law by the Governor.
OR
you can also pick a piece of legislation that was passed into law and write about your opinion on that legislation. Both the Texas House and Senate have excellent websites with resources for research. Legiscan is also an excellent resource to research all bills introduced in all states and federally. Reach out to me if you want to discuss anything! I hope you will do this at the beginning of every legislative session!
Extra Credit: you get extra credit if you email your Representative or member of the Senate and give them you opinion on the piece of legislation (send me a note under the Extra Credit Tab and I will give you Extra Credit!).
