SEPT 10 - VOTINGAgenda: Quick-write Notes: Voting Categorizing

Activity

Homework: Complete the

Ideology Quiz and Assignment and bring it in to class

Take out: Notebook Pen/Pencil

Objectives:  Describe effective

polling and its effect on public opinion and voter turnout.

 Weigh different factors that affect voter participation and turnout

QUICK-WRITE What are the qualifications that you

need to have in order to vote in Washington State?

IN WA, YOU MUST BE… A citizen of the United States; A legal resident of Washington State At least 18 years old by Election Day.

NOT IF… convicted of a felony and not had your

voting rights restored declared by a court to be mentally

incompetent and ineligible to vote.

WE VOTE BECAUSE… We are citizens of a REPUBLIC

(representative democracy) We need to select individuals to

represent the needs of a group It is a form of expressing public opinion

HOW OFTEN DO WE VOTE? Members of Congress are elected every 2 years President is Elected every 4 years

2008 – President Obama was elected, along with every member of the House of Representatives (they get elected every 2 years!), and 1/3 of the Senate (they have 6 year terms and are on a rotating election basis).

2010 – All the members of the House of Representatives ran for election again, along with a different 1/3 of the Senate.

2012 – The President, All the House Members, and the remaining 1/3 of the Senate seats

HISTORICAL QUALIFICATIONS Religion (eliminated by states) Property (eliminated by states) Race (eliminated by 15th Amendment) Sex (eliminated by 19th Amendment) Income (eliminated by 24th

Amendment) Literacy (eliminated by Voting Rights

Act of 1965) Minimum Age of 21 (eliminated by

26th Amendment)

CATEGORIZING

First: Obtain an envelope and categorize the contents by:

“Likely to Vote” and “Less Likely to Vote”

Second: Now arrange from Most likely to Least likely within each list

CATEGORIZING Next Step: 1. Compare Lists with another group--> Discuss

disagreements 2. In your group of 4 obtain a sheet of printer

paper and marker from front 3. Make at least 4 comparative statements. 4. Record those statements on a sheet of printer

paper (1 per group). Write large enough to read when put on document

camera.Example: An 18-year-old would be less likely to vote than a 60-year-old. The teenager has few issues he/she may feel could be addressed by government.

PRESENTING As you read, do not repeat statements. Must

present a new statement each time. Another group member can accompany to

answer questions. As we go we will actively evaluate and I

recommended you take notes! After each statement is read I will ask if you

Agree, Disagree or would like to qualify the statement. Agree = THUMBS UP Disagree = THUMBS DOWN Qualify = AGREE but for different reason than

stated.

CATEGORIZING Construct a mind

map/conceptual drawing in which you show how public opinion relates to or is transformed into public policy.

Incorporate at least 4 terms (polling, elections, etc.) and extend it or elaborate upon it as you deem necessary.

QUICK-WRITE “A citizen of America will cross the

ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote in a national election.”Bill Vaughan

Does low voter turnout make a mockery of democracy? (ie: does low voter turnout matter?)

COMPARISON US

~50% in presidential elections~30—40% in midterm electionsEven lower in state electionsDeclining since 1960

Western European~90% turn out rate

COMPARISON We have no compulsory voting

No fines, no same day registration, dual party system allows for fewer choice

REASONS FOR LOW TURN OUT Institutional Barriers

How many can you name?

ANSWERS. . . Registration Ballot Fatigue Excessive # of Elections Type of election Difficulty of Attaining absentee ballot Age—youth are the worst

REASONS FOR LOW TURN OUT Political Reasons:

Lack of political efficacyDissatisfaction with candidates, parties, etc.Lack of strong 2 party competitionWeaknesses of parties in mobilizing voters

VOTER BEHAVIOR

Factors Affecting

GEOGRAPHY, TIME Solid South—traditionally Democratic,

trending Republican Coattail effect Critical Elections “realigning”

Long term change in political alignment

PARTY ID Probably second strongest predictor of

voting behavior Split ticket voting Independents

Rising quicklyTend to be young, college educated, above

average incomes

Retrospective/Prospective Voting

WHO VOTES, WHO DOESN’T, WHO CARES? Characteristics of those likely to vote

Level of educational achievement greatest predictor of voting Cuts across all other factors

Income—rich vs. poorAge—older vote more than youngRace—whites more likely than African

Americans more likely than Hispanics

WHO VOTES, WHO DOESN’T, WHO CARES? Does it matter?

Yes—class bias—older, richer, white people dominate

No—nonvoters are demographically different, not politically different

DEMOGRAPHICS Sex

Female / male = Dem, GOP Race

More likely to vote Dem, African Americans—most loyal Dem voters

Social ClassUpper = GOP; Lower = Dem

ReligionProtestant = GOP; Catholic = Dem; Jewish =

Dem.