What do they offer people in return for votes?

What do they offer people in return for votes?

• A. Free groceries
• B. Patronage, kickbacks and grafts
• C. Public housing contracts
• D. Job training programs

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that some urban political groups traded material favors for political support. They used a system of rewards to win and keep votes, especially from immigrant communities, by handing out jobs, contracts, money, or other benefits in exchange for loyalty at the polls. This is captured by the phrase patronage, kickbacks and grafts, which describes the reciprocal exchange of votes for favors and the illicit gains that could come with it. The other options describe specific benefits that might occur, but they don’t name the overall mechanism of buying votes through favors and corrupt gains as clearly as this term does.

The main idea here is that some urban political groups traded material favors for political support. They used a system of rewards to win and keep votes, especially from immigrant communities, by handing out jobs, contracts, money, or other benefits in exchange for loyalty at the polls. This is captured by the phrase patronage, kickbacks and grafts, which describes the reciprocal exchange of votes for favors and the illicit gains that could come with it. The other options describe specific benefits that might occur, but they don’t name the overall mechanism of buying votes through favors and corrupt gains as clearly as this term does.