c hapter 14 v oting and p articipation copyright © 2012 cengage learning

CCHAPTERHAPTER 14 14VVOTING ANDOTING AND PPARTICIPATIONARTICIPATION

CCHAPTERHAPTER 14 14VVOTING ANDOTING AND PPARTICIPATIONARTICIPATIONCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning

CHAPTER 14: LEARNING CHAPTER 14: LEARNING OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

Develop an appreciation for the wide variety of ways that Americans participate in the political system

Understand the role that voting plays in promoting popular sovereignty in a representative democracy

Assess the role of state governments in managing electionsCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning


Evaluate the effect of various constitutional amendments on the expansion of voting rights in the United States

Appreciate the wide diversity of voter registration systems implemented in the 50 states

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning


Assess the influence of different factors in influencing voter turnout, including interest in politics, sense of civic duty, the perception that one’s vote can make a difference, education, income, age, and social group pressures



Explore the influence of political campaigns on turnout and in affecting “high stimulus elections”

Analyze the trends in U.S. voter turnout over the past six or seven decades

Compare and contrast voter turnout in the United States with voter turnout in other democraciesCopyright © 2012 Cengage Learning


Understand the various factors that explain vote choices

Appreciate the many forms of political participation beyond voting, including communicating concerns to officials, civil disobedience, and protest activities


A YOUNG, CHARISMATIC CAMPAIGNER ENERGIZES VOTERS A YOUNG, CHARISMATIC CAMPAIGNER ENERGIZES VOTERS AND OVERCOMES THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY: NOW & THENAND OVERCOMES THE WEIGHT OF HISTORY: NOW & THEN

He was one of the youngest candidates ever to run for the presidency

Remarkably talented in energizing the base of a party

Young people newly drawn to electoral politics attended rallies in droves, yet…


NOW & THEN…NOW & THEN…

Someone from his demographic group had never been elected president

His formidable rivals attacked him as an intellectual elitist out of touch with mainstream America

However, a majority of Americans responded to his message of change by electing him president


NOW … BARACK OBAMANOW … BARACK OBAMA

Young, charismatic, a gifted oratorAttracted record numbers of new voters

to the Democratic PartyCampaigned for “change”—and

defeated Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain

Made political history as the first African American to win the White House



MORRY GASH/AP PHOTO

THEN… JOHN F. KENNEDYTHEN… JOHN F. KENNEDY

Young, charismatic, a gifted speaker His glass ceiling was his Catholic faith

Called for a “New Frontier” of changeOvercame Senate Majority Leader

Lyndon Johnson in the primary, andRepublican Vice President Richard

Nixon in the general election



PAUL SCHUTZER/TIME LIFE PICTURES/GETTY IMAGES

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Direct democracy: every citizen is invited to deliberate the issues and vote on public policy

Representative democracy: indirect democracy or republican government

Citizens choose individuals who are responsible for making and enforcing public policy


INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

Majoritarianism: majority rule—The choice supported by the most

voters is the choice that prevailsVoting: mechanism that ensures that

the majority will ruleElections allow the majority to continue

to exercise ultimate control over the direction of public policy


Figure 14.1 The Ways in Which Americans Participate in Politics


Source: 2008 national survey of 2,500 American adults, conducted by Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI).

THE LEGAL STRUCTURE FOR THE LEGAL STRUCTURE FOR VOTING IN THE UNITED STATESVOTING IN THE UNITED STATES

Franchise: (suffrage) the right to voteToward Universal Suffrage Restrictions on voting rights have

systematically denied particular groups of people the right to participate

Voting rights for all U.S. adults occurred over centuries and with much opposition


AMERICAN GOVERNMENT… IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT… IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVEHISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

When One Vote Made the Difference 1776: English—official U.S. language 1801: Thomas Jefferson’s election 1825: John Quincy Adams’ election 1839: Marcus Morton elected governor 1844: Indiana farmer who died on the

way home was elected a state senator



1868: President Andrew Johnson saved from removal

1876: Rutherford B. Hayes’ election1889: Washington becomes a state1890: Idaho becomes a state1916: Re-elected President Woodrow

Wilson



1941: Saved Selective Service1955: Huron, Ohio—mayor’s election 1959: Rose Creek and Odin, Minn.—

mayor’s elections1960: John F. Kennedy’s election1962: Maine, Rhode Island, and North

Dakota—governors’ elections



1977: Ann Arbor, Michigan—mayor’s election

1984: Athens, Alabama—mayor’s election

1996: Limestone, Alabama—County Board of Education member


TOWARD UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGETOWARD UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857): Ruled slaves were property—had no

rights under the law—and could never become U.S. citizens

Fifteenth Amendment (1870): “The right of citizens… to vote shall not be abridged… on account of race, color, or any previous condition of servitude”



Despite the Fifteenth Amendment –

After Reconstruction ended in 1877, former Confederate states found ways to deny African Americans voting rights

Intimidation tactics; poll taxes; literacy tests; grandfather clauses

Effectively kept blacks (and the poor) from coming to the polls on Election Day



Nineteenth Amendment (1920): gave women the right to vote

Twenty-third Amendment: allowed D.C. residents to vote in presidential elections

Twenty-fourth Amendment: outlawed poll taxes in federal elections

Voting Rights Act of 1965: prohibited literacy tests and intimidation tactics



Twenty-sixth Amendment: lowered the voting age to eighteen in all local, state, and federal elections

Today in the U.S., the only adults legally disenfranchised are

Convicted felons in prison (47 states), on probation (29 states), and on parole (32 states)


VOTER REGISTRATION LAWSVOTER REGISTRATION LAWS

Most states didn’t adopt registration systems until after the Civil War

Most systems rely on self-initiated voter registration

Many states require proof of age and citizenship, and

Impose a length-of-residence requirement


AMERICAN GOVERNMENT... IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT... IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVEGLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

One British Newspaper Asks: “How Can 59 Million People Be So DUMB?”

A November 4, 2004, headline of the Daily Mirror placed emphasis on world skepticism of Bush’s leadership

Particularly the Iraq War, and

Questioned Americans who voted for his reelection



MIRRORPIX

VOTER REGISTRATION LAWSVOTER REGISTRATION LAWS

The National Voter Registration Act of 1993:

When an individual applies for or renews a state driver’s license –

States must provide voter registration materials

This has increased voter registration, but it hasn’t increased actual turnout


EXERCISING THE FRANCHISE: EXERCISING THE FRANCHISE: WHY DO PEOPLE VOTE? WHY DO PEOPLE VOTE?

Interest in politicsSense of “civic duty,” or the belief that

being a good citizen requires voting Perception that their vote can have an

impact on the outcome of an electionSocial group pressure—casting a ballot

is expected of them by others


WHO TURNS OUT TO VOTE?WHO TURNS OUT TO VOTE?

Voter turnout: percentage of eligible voters who show up to vote

Demographic characteristics help explain turnout

Gender, age, and level of education are all related to the decision to vote

See Figure 14.2


Figure 14.2 Differences in Voter Turnout among Demographic Groups in 2008 Presidential Election


Source: Current Population Survey, U.S. Bureau of the Census 2008.

YOUR PERSPECTIVE . . . ON YOUR PERSPECTIVE . . . ON AMERICAN GOVERNMENTAMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Courting the Youth VoteOrganizations target young voters

primarily for two reasons: 1. Young voters represent the future of

American democracy

2. Youth turnout has tended to be lower than turnout among older Americans



Courting the Youth VoteHave you ever been approached by a

group or organization asking you either to register to vote or to turn out to vote in a particular election?

Did they make a special appeal to you on the basis of your age?



How important was that appeal in your decision to vote (or not vote)?

Why do you think college-age students turn out in relatively lower numbers?


HOW DO THEY VOTE? METHODS HOW DO THEY VOTE? METHODS OF CASTING A BALLOTOF CASTING A BALLOT

Five methods of voting are generally used:

1. Hand-counted paper ballots

2. Mechanical lever machines

3. Computer punch cards

4. Optical scan cards

5. Electronic voting systems


Figure 14.3 Voter Turnout in U.S. Congressional and Presidential Elections


VOTING IN THE UNITED STATES VOTING IN THE UNITED STATES COMPARED WITH OTHER DEMOCRACIESCOMPARED WITH OTHER DEMOCRACIES

Many observers note that voter turnout rates are lower in the U.S. than they are in other democracies

1992–2000, the average U.S. turnout for presidential elections was 52%

The average in all federal elections (including midterm races) was 45%


Figure 14.4 Voter Turnout Around

the World



Explanations: 1. The large number of U.S. elections make

voting less of a novelty

2. Tuesdays are workdays

3. Voting in the U.S. usually requires advance registration



4. Perceptions that participation can make a difference (“internal efficacy”) and that government is responsive to the people (“external efficacy”) have declined

5. Extensions of the franchise lead to short-term declines in turnout


Figure 14.5 Changes in Political Efficacy in the United States

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning Source: The Gallup Organization. .1936–2008 The Gallup Organization.


6. Voting in the United States is not compulsory

7. There has been a decline in “social capital”

People are more likely to stay home and watch TV or surf the Internet


IS NONVOTING A PROBLEM?IS NONVOTING A PROBLEM?

Arguments supporting the contention that nonvoting is problematic:

1. Low voter turnout rates are a symptom of a weak democracy

2. Low turnout awards distinct advantages to the affluent, higher-socioeconomic groups in our society


IS NONVOTING A PROBLEM?IS NONVOTING A PROBLEM?

Arguments why nonvoting may not be a cause for concern:

1. Produces a more informed electorate, more aware of important issues, and better able to make the right choices

2. Voting is voluntary—not voting may be an expression of satisfaction with the status quo


MAKING A VOTE CHOICEMAKING A VOTE CHOICE

A huge amount of time and resources are spent analyzing how voters will vote

News coverage and pre-election polling have become a centerpiece of U.S. political campaign strategy

“Determinants of vote choice”—Factors that act as cues to voters in helping them make a decision


AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT … IN POPULAR PERSPECTIVEPOPULAR PERSPECTIVE

Television Presidents Paving the Way for Voter Open-Mindedness

2002: the popular Fox TV series 24 introduced the first fictional African American U.S. President, David Palmer

Other television shows have featured Latin American and female presidents



What role does race or gender play in voters’ assessments of candidates?

Can a fictional television series influence the way voters think about real-life candidates and their political viability?

If so, how?



Do historical electoral breakthroughs (such as the election of the first African American or woman as president) require that voters first undergo a fundamental change in attitudes?


Actor Dennis Haysbert portraying President David Palmer on 24


Actress Geena Davis portraying President Mackenzie Allen on Commander-in-Chief

Actor Jimmy Smits portraying presidential candidate Matthew Santos on The West Wing)

AFP PHOTO/FOX/ISABELLA VOSMIKOVA/NEWSCOM

ABC-TV / THE KOBAL COLLECTION/PICTURE DESK

NBC / COURTESY: EVERETT COLLECTION

CANDIDATE FAMILIARITYCANDIDATE FAMILIARITY

Voters are much more likely to vote for a candidate whose name they recognize

In lower-visibility elections name recognition plays a large role in the voting decision

Even in statewide and presidential races, familiarity with a candidate can be an important cue to voters


PARTY IDENTIFICATIONPARTY IDENTIFICATION

Especially powerful in influencing lower profile political races in which – No particularly serious issues are at stake,

Candidates are not well-known, and

News media pay little attention to the race

2/3rds of voters continue to identify with one of the major parties


ISSUE VOTINGISSUE VOTING

The “ideal democratic citizen” – Is informed about issues,

Takes a position on those issues, and then

Compares that position to the candidates’

Requires political knowledge and attentiveness to campaigns

Most research indicates other shortcut factors are more commonly used


CHECK THE LISTCHECK THE LIST

The Top Ten Popular Vote Winners in Presidential Elections

1. Lyndon Johnson—61.3%

2. Franklin Roosevelt—60.8%

3. Richard M. Nixon—60.6%

4. Warren G. Harding—60.4%



5. Ronald Reagan—59.0%

6. Herbert Hoover—58.2%

7. Franklin Roosevelt—57.4%

8. Theodore Roosevelt—57.4%

9. Andrew Jackson—56.0%

10.Ulysses S. Grant—55.6%



The Bottom Ten Popular Vote Winners in Presidential Elections

1. John Quincy Adams—30.5%

2. Abraham Lincoln—39.8%

3. Woodrow Wilson—41.9%

4. Bill Clinton—43.2%



5. Richard Nixon—43.4%

6. James Buchanan— 45.3%

7. Grover Cleveland— 46.1%

8. Zachary Taylor—47.4%

9. Benjamin Harrison—47.9%

10.Rutherford B. Hayes—48.0%


RETROSPECTIVE VOTINGRETROSPECTIVE VOTING

Concept developed by political scientist Morris Fiorina

Evaluations of incumbents’ past performance in office provide important cues for voters in deciding whether to vote for that incumbent

Pollsters measure this through a “job approval rating” question


CANDIDATE IMAGE VOTINGCANDIDATE IMAGE VOTING

Image includes: trustworthiness, honesty, leadership ability, concern for voters, integrity, intelligence, sense of humor, etc…

In today’s media age – Image development is an efficient

means of persuading swing voters how to vote


POLITICAL PARTICIPATION POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BEYOND THE VOTING BOOTHBEYOND THE VOTING BOOTH

Running for political officeAttending a political protestAttending a political meetingContributing money to a political

candidate or party Displaying campaign materials on

clothing or property


NOW & THEN: MAKING THE NOW & THEN: MAKING THE CONNECTIONCONNECTION

Barack Obama, like John F. Kennedy, inspired historic numbers of Americans to participate in the political process

Tipped the balance of voter turnout among African Americans and Catholics

Shifted the White House from one party to another


POLITICS INTERACTIVE!POLITICS INTERACTIVE!

Genetics and Political ParticipationA 2008 study found a relationship

between genetic make-up and ones propensity to participate in politics

“Genetic Variation in Political Participation,” May 2008—American Political Science Review


POLITICS INTERACTIVE!POLITICS INTERACTIVE!

Go to www.cengage.com/dautrich/americangovernment/2e

Find the politics interactive link for details on the role of genetics and political participation

Consult also the various links relating to biological factors and politics



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