INCREASING SUFFRAGEINCREASING SUFFRAGE

15TH AMENDMENT=BLACKS15TH AMENDMENT=BLACKS

19TH AMENDMENT=WOMEN19TH AMENDMENT=WOMEN

24TH AMENDMENT=NON-TAXPAYERS24TH AMENDMENT=NON-TAXPAYERS

26TH AMENDMENT=18 TO 21 YEAR 26TH AMENDMENT=18 TO 21 YEAR OLDSOLDS

CH 8 SUM

STATE QUALIFICATIONSSTATE QUALIFICATIONS18, CITIZEN, RESIDENT, REGISTERED18, CITIZEN, RESIDENT, REGISTERED

REASONS FOR NOT VOTINGREASONS FOR NOT VOTINGCANNOT VOTERSCANNOT VOTERSSUPPORTIVE NON-VOTERSSUPPORTIVE NON-VOTERS

(Oakwood ?)(Oakwood ?)ALIENATED NON-VOTERSALIENATED NON-VOTERS

(Jefferson ?)(Jefferson ?)LACK OF INTEREST / APATHYLACK OF INTEREST / APATHY

CH 8 SUM

AMERICANS…AMERICANS…

LESS LIKELY TO VOTE THAN EUROPEANSLESS LIKELY TO VOTE THAN EUROPEANS US HAS MORE ELECTIVE OFFICESUS HAS MORE ELECTIVE OFFICES

( ABOUT 52, 000+)( ABOUT 52, 000+) US HAS A COMPLEX REGISTRATION US HAS A COMPLEX REGISTRATION

PROCESSPROCESS US POLITICAL PARTIES ARE WEAKERUS POLITICAL PARTIES ARE WEAKER US HAS LESS DAILY GOVERNMENT US HAS LESS DAILY GOVERNMENT

INVOLVEMENTINVOLVEMENT

    Australia 95%

    Malta 94%

    Austria 92%

    Belgium 91%

    Italy 90%

    Luxembourg 90%

    Iceland 89%

    New Zealand 88%

    Denmark 87%

    Germany 86%

    Sweden 86%

    Greece 86%

    Venezuela 85%

    Czech Rep. 85%

    Brazil 83%

    Switzerland 54%

    Poland 51%

    Brazil 83%

    Netherlands 83%

    Costa Rica 81%

    Norway 81%

    Romania 81%

    Bulgaria 80%

    Israel 80%

    Portugal 79%

    Finland 78%

    Canada 76%

    France 76%

    U.K. 76%

    Ireland 74%

    Spain 73%

    Japan 71%

    Japan 71%

    Estonia 69%

    Hungary 66%

    Russia 61%

    India 58%

    U. S. 54%

    Switz 54%

    Poland 51%

INACTIVESINACTIVES (22%) (22%)

LITTLE PARTICIPATION IF ANYLITTLE PARTICIPATION IF ANY

PAROCHIAL PARTICIPANTSPAROCHIAL PARTICIPANTS

NO VOTING OR CAMPAIGNINGNO VOTING OR CAMPAIGNING

CONTACT OFFICIALS ABOUT CONTACT OFFICIALS ABOUT SPECIFIC PROBLEMSSPECIFIC PROBLEMS

COMMUNALISTSCOMMUNALISTS

ENGAGED W/ NONPARTISAN ENGAGED W/ NONPARTISAN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIESCOMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

VOTING SPECIALISTSVOTING SPECIALISTS

REGULARLY VOTEREGULARLY VOTE

BUT VERY LITTLE ELSEBUT VERY LITTLE ELSE

CAMPAIGNERSCAMPAIGNERS

VOTE VOTE

GET INVOLVED W/ CAMPAIGNSGET INVOLVED W/ CAMPAIGNS

COMPLETE ACTIVISTSCOMPLETE ACTIVISTS (11%) (11%)

PARTICPATES IN ALL FORMS PARTICPATES IN ALL FORMS OF POLITICAL ACTIVITIESOF POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

MORE EDUCATEDMORE EDUCATED

(MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR)(MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR)

HIGHER INCOMEHIGHER INCOME

UNION MEMBERSHIPUNION MEMBERSHIP

POLITICALLY AFFILIATEDPOLITICALLY AFFILIATED

CIVIC INVOLVEMENTCIVIC INVOLVEMENT

OLDEROLDER

MARRIEDMARRIED

RELIGIOUSRELIGIOUS

LACK OF POLITICAL EFFICACYLACK OF POLITICAL EFFICACY

““INTERNAL” AND/OR “EXTERNAL”INTERNAL” AND/OR “EXTERNAL”

LACK OF MOTIVATIONLACK OF MOTIVATION

UNINSPIRING CANDIDATESUNINSPIRING CANDIDATES

NO REALIGNING ISSUESNO REALIGNING ISSUES

AKA “CRITICAL ELECTIONS”AKA “CRITICAL ELECTIONS”

““BUSY”BUSY”

Figure 13.2- Why People Don’t VoteFigure 13.2- Why People Don’t Vote

Back

Voters lining up outside a Voters lining up outside a BaghdadBaghdad polling station during the polling station during the 2005 Iraqi election2005 Iraqi election..

Voter turnout was considered high despite widespread concerns of violence.Voter turnout was considered high despite widespread concerns of violence.

WOMEN VOTING IN AFGHANISTAN WOMEN VOTING IN AFGHANISTAN

““BALLOT CONFUSION” ??BALLOT CONFUSION” ??

SOUTH AFRICANS WAITINGSOUTH AFRICANS WAITINGTO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME (1994)TO VOTE FOR THE FIRST TIME (1994)

12 HOURS OF LATER12 HOURS OF LATER

Ways to Improve Voter TurnoutWays to Improve Voter Turnout

Make registration and absentee voting easier.Make registration and absentee voting easier.

Make Election Day a holiday.Make Election Day a holiday.

Strengthen political parties.Strengthen political parties.

Patterns in Vote ChoicePatterns in Vote Choice

Party members most dependable for party nominees.Party members most dependable for party nominees.

Ticket-splittingTicket-splitting has increased. has increased.

Race: minorities largely vote for Democrats.Race: minorities largely vote for Democrats.

Gender: women usually vote for Democrats.Gender: women usually vote for Democrats.

Income: poor typically vote for Democrats.Income: poor typically vote for Democrats.

Ideology: liberals largely vote for Democrats.Ideology: liberals largely vote for Democrats.

Issues: Issues: prospectiveprospective and and retrospective judgmentsretrospective judgments..

AV- Turnout of Eligible VotersAV- Turnout of Eligible Voters

Back

Figure 13.1- South v. Non-SouthFigure 13.1- South v. Non-South

Back

Figure 13.3- Registered VotersFigure 13.3- Registered Voters

Back

Figure 13.5- Electoral College 2008Figure 13.5- Electoral College 2008

Back

2008 2000

McCain 47.2 Bush 49.9

Obama 51.2 Gore 46.4

2004 1996

Bush 50.8 Dole 41

Kerry 48.7 Clinton 47.3

Figure 13.6- GerrymanderingFigure 13.6- Gerrymandering

Back

Gerrymander “art”Gerrymander “art”

http://rangevoting.org/GerryGal.htmlhttp://rangevoting.org/GerryGal.html

http://www.redistrictinggame.org/

Figure 13.7- Electronic Voting MachinesFigure 13.7- Electronic Voting Machines

Back

Elections and Voting Elections and Voting BehaviorBehavior

Chapter 10Chapter 10

Edwards, Wattenberg, and LineberryEdwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry

Government in America: People, Politics, and PolicyGovernment in America: People, Politics, and Policy

Fourteenth EditionFourteenth Edition

How American Elections WorkHow American Elections WorkTypes of elections:Types of elections:

Primary electionsPrimary elections: Select party nominees Select : Select party nominees Select officeholders officeholders

General electionsGeneral elections: Select options on specific policies: Select options on specific policies

ReferendumReferendum: state-level method of direct legislation that : state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve proposed legislation or gives voters a chance to approve proposed legislation or constitutional amendmentconstitutional amendment

Initiative Initiative : process permitted in some states whereby voters : process permitted in some states whereby voters may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a may put proposed changes in the state constitution to a vote, given a sufficient number of signaturesvote, given a sufficient number of signatures

Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First ChoiceWhether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice

SuffrageSuffrage: the legal right to vote: the legal right to vote

Extended to African Americans by the Extended to African Americans by the 1515thth Amend Amend

Extended to Women by the Extended to Women by the 1919thth Amendment Amendment

Extended to people over 18 by the Extended to people over 18 by the 2626thth Amendment Amendment

Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First ChoiceWhether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice

U.S. has low voter turnoutU.S. has low voter turnout

Political EfficacyPolitical Efficacy: the belief that one’s political : the belief that one’s political participation really mattersparticipation really matters

Civic DutyCivic Duty: the belief that in order to support democratic : the belief that in order to support democratic government, a citizen should always votegovernment, a citizen should always vote

Those who see clear differences between parties are likely Those who see clear differences between parties are likely to vote.to vote.

If indifferent, then one may rationally abstain from voting.If indifferent, then one may rationally abstain from voting.

From Government in America, 13th edition.

Registering To VoteRegistering To Vote

Voter RegistrationVoter Registration: a system adopted by the states : a system adopted by the states that requires voters to register well in advance of that requires voters to register well in advance of the election daythe election day

Registration procedures differ by state.Registration procedures differ by state.

Motor Voter ActMotor Voter Act: passed in 1993, requires states to : passed in 1993, requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply permit people to register to vote when they apply for their driver’s licensefor their driver’s license

Who Votes?Who Votes?

More educationMore education = more likely to vote. = more likely to vote. Most important factorMost important factor

BUT connected to many other ‘traits’BUT connected to many other ‘traits’

OlderOlder = more likely to vote = more likely to voteUNTIL mobility becomes a problemUNTIL mobility becomes a problem

CaucasianCaucasian = more likely to vote. = more likely to vote.BUT, other ethnicities are higher with comparable BUT, other ethnicities are higher with comparable education or higher incomeeducation or higher income

FemaleFemale = more likely to vote = more likely to vote

Who Votes? Who Votes?

MarriedMarried = more likely to vote = more likely to vote

Union memberUnion member = more likely to vote = more likely to vote

Traits are cumulativeTraits are cumulative

––possessing several adds uppossessing several adds up

Candidates want a good Candidates want a good visual imagevisual image..

Especially on dimensions of integrity, Especially on dimensions of integrity, reliability, and competencereliability, and competence

PersonalityPersonality plays a role in vote choice, especially plays a role in vote choice, especially if a candidate is perceived to be incompetent if a candidate is perceived to be incompetent or dishonest. (Elite?) (Career Politician?)or dishonest. (Elite?) (Career Politician?)

How Americans Vote:How Americans Vote:Explaining Citizens’ DecisionsExplaining Citizens’ Decisions

Party IdentificationParty Identification

People still generally vote for a party they agree with. People still generally vote for a party they agree with.

With the rise of With the rise of candidate-centered politicscandidate-centered politics, parties’ hold , parties’ hold on voters declined in the 1960s and 1970s. (More on voters declined in the 1960s and 1970s. (More split-split-ticket votingticket voting.) .)

Is this changing with increase ‘Is this changing with increase ‘partisanshippartisanship’?’?

Many more voters make an individual voting decision and Many more voters make an individual voting decision and are up for grabs each election, (so-called are up for grabs each election, (so-called floating votersfloating voters).).

How Americans Vote:How Americans Vote:Explaining Citizens’ DecisionsExplaining Citizens’ Decisions

How Americans Vote:How Americans Vote:Explaining Citizens’ DecisionsExplaining Citizens’ Decisions

Mandate Theory of Elections*Mandate Theory of Elections*

The idea that the winning candidate has a The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politicsher platforms and politics

*Politicians like the theory better than *Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do.political scientists do.

Policy VotingPolicy Voting

Basing your vote choice on issue preferences and Basing your vote choice on issue preferences and where the candidates stand on policy issueswhere the candidates stand on policy issues

Policy voting may occur if : Policy voting may occur if : Voters know where they and the candidates stand on Voters know where they and the candidates stand on

issues and see differences between candidatesissues and see differences between candidates

Unlikely to occur because:Unlikely to occur because:Candidates can be ambiguous on the issues.Candidates can be ambiguous on the issues.Media tend to focus on the “horse race” not issues.Media tend to focus on the “horse race” not issues.

Today candidates are forced to take a clear stand Today candidates are forced to take a clear stand in the party primaries increasing chances for in the party primaries increasing chances for policy voting.policy voting.

Understanding Elections and Voting BehaviorUnderstanding Elections and Voting BehaviorCandidates who vow to continue popular policies are more Candidates who vow to continue popular policies are more

likely to win elections.likely to win elections.

Retrospective votingRetrospective voting: voters cast a vote based on what a : voters cast a vote based on what a candidate has done for them lately.candidate has done for them lately.

Those who feel worse-likely to vote against incumbents.Those who feel worse-likely to vote against incumbents.Bad economies make politicians nervous.Bad economies make politicians nervous.

Start HereStart Here

on on

ThursdayThursday

The Last Battle: The Last Battle: The Electoral CollegeThe Electoral College

Electoral college actually elects the president—Electoral college actually elects the president—founders wanted him chosen by the elite of the founders wanted him chosen by the elite of the countrycountry

States (political parties) choose the electorsStates (political parties) choose the electors

Winner-Take-AllWinner-Take-All system gives bigger emphasis system gives bigger emphasis to more populated statesto more populated states

How the Electoral College worksHow the Electoral College works

Each state has as many votes as it does Each state has as many votes as it does Representatives and Senators.Representatives and Senators.

Winner of popular vote typically gets all the Winner of popular vote typically gets all the Electoral College votes for that stateElectoral College votes for that state

Electors meet in December, votes are reported by Electors meet in December, votes are reported by the vice president in Januarythe vice president in January

If no candidate gets a majority (270 votes), the If no candidate gets a majority (270 votes), the House of Representatives votes for president, House of Representatives votes for president, with each state casting one vote.with each state casting one vote.

A Tale of Three ElectionsA Tale of Three Elections

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map.html

Elections and the Scope of GovernmentElections and the Scope of Government

Federal Gov’t does more now because…Federal Gov’t does more now because…

Elections generally support government policies Elections generally support government policies and power.and power.

Voters feel they are sending a message to Voters feel they are sending a message to government to accomplish somethinggovernment to accomplish something

Thus, the government expands to fill the needs of Thus, the government expands to fill the needs of the voters.the voters.

SummarySummaryVoters make two basic decisions at election time:Voters make two basic decisions at election time:

1-Whether to vote1-Whether to vote2-Who to vote for2-Who to vote for

Party identificationParty identification, , candidate evaluationscandidate evaluations, and , and policy positionspolicy positions drive vote choice. drive vote choice.

How important are demographics ?How important are demographics ?Voter Demographics = Stereotyping?Voter Demographics = Stereotyping?

Does this influence campaigns? Policies?Does this influence campaigns? Policies?

Elections are fundamental to a democracy.Elections are fundamental to a democracy.

WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONPARTICIPATION

IMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMSACTIVISTACTIVIST

AUSTRALIAN BALLOTAUSTRALIAN BALLOT

CAMPAIGNERSCAMPAIGNERS

COMMUNALISTSCOMMUNALISTS

COMPLETE ACTIVISTSCOMPLETE ACTIVISTS

ELIGIBLE ELECTORATEELIGIBLE ELECTORATE

FIFTEENTH AMENDMENTFIFTEENTH AMENDMENT

GRANDFATHER CLAUSESGRANDFATHER CLAUSESINACTIVESINACTIVESLITERACY TESTLITERACY TESTMOTOR-VOTER BILLMOTOR-VOTER BILLNINETEENTH AMENDMENTNINETEENTH AMENDMENTPAROCHIAL PARTICIPANTSPAROCHIAL PARTICIPANTSPOLL TAXPOLL TAXREGISTERED VOTERSREGISTERED VOTERS

WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONWILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONIMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMS

TWENTY-SIXTH AMENDMENTTWENTY-SIXTH AMENDMENT

TWENTY-THIRD AMENDMENTTWENTY-THIRD AMENDMENT

VOTER APATHYVOTER APATHY

VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1970VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1970

VOTING-AGE POPULATIONVOTING-AGE POPULATION

VOTING SPECIALISTSVOTING SPECIALISTS

WHITE PRIMARIESWHITE PRIMARIES

WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONWILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONIMPORTANT TERMSIMPORTANT TERMS

WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONPARTICIPATION

QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

1-IS VOTER PARTICIPATION 1-IS VOTER PARTICIPATION LOWER IN THE USA THAN IN LOWER IN THE USA THAN IN EUROPEAN CONTRIES? EUROPEAN CONTRIES? EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER.

2-WHAT HAVE BEEN THE 2-WHAT HAVE BEEN THE POLICY CONSEQUENCES OF A POLICY CONSEQUENCES OF A BROADER ELECTORATE.BROADER ELECTORATE.

3-WHAT COULD BE DONE TO 3-WHAT COULD BE DONE TO INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT?INCREASE VOTER TURNOUT?

4-WHAT SORTS OF PEOPLE ARE 4-WHAT SORTS OF PEOPLE ARE OVERREPRESENTED ANOUNG THOSE OVERREPRESENTED ANOUNG THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE A GREAT DEAL? WHO PARTICIPATE A GREAT DEAL? DOE THIS BIAS THE POLICIES THE DOE THIS BIAS THE POLICIES THE GOVERNMENT WILL ADOPT? IF SO, GOVERNMENT WILL ADOPT? IF SO, WHICH ONES?WHICH ONES?

WILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONWILSON CH. 6 - POLITICAL PARTICIPATIONQUESTIONSQUESTIONS