Political Participation in the United States

Political Participation in the United States

Political Participation in the United StatesChapter 6: WilsonAP Government and PoliticsVoter Participation in the USWhy is it ironic that the US has such relatively low voter participation, or political participation, compared to other nations?

Voting and FederalismThe Constitution:Fed not responsible for electionswho is?Just establish date and ensure House members popularly electedBut this leaves a lot open; statewide, staggered terms, etc.States could determine who was eligible to voteWhat problem arose under this system?Amendments Nationalizing the Right to VoteThe 15th - Guaranteed the right to vote to all personsSupreme Court Vote could be denied, but denial cant be based on raceWhat did some state governments do in order to disenfranchise African-Americans after its passage?Not until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 does African-American participation in elections become widespread and fair

The 19th - Gave all women the right to votePrior to this, some states had extended the right to vote to women.Did dramatic change result from the influx of women voters into the electorate?Why not?

The 26th - Extended the right to vote to 18 year-olds.Was their impact dramatic? Voter TurnoutReasons for decline after 1890Decline in interest, weakening partiesVoter fraud before Australian ballotHow do voter registration procedures impact turnout?Measuring voter turnoutVAP all persons old enoughVEP of those persons, only those actually eligibleReasons for higher voter turnout (for a midterm) in 2010Its the economy, stupid.Voters concern with issues, including jobs and debtPercent who followed this story most closelyNews Story%Economy23Health care reform18Situation in Afghanistan13Don't ask, don't tell debate6Congressional elections6Drug violence in Mexico5

Voting in Presidential Elections

Enthusiasm for Voting?

Forms of ParticipationVoting most common, giving money and member of political organization least commonSome people report falsely how much they vote; if they do this, then it is likely that they misreport other forms of participationStudies show that politics is not a topic that most people think about on a daily basis.

Verba and Nies forms of participationInactive little education or income, relatively young, most are AA (22%)Activists highly educated, high income, middle aged not young or old; (11%)Voting Specialists not much schooling or income and be above average age Campaigners what distinguishes them for VSs is their interest in the conflicts of politics, and they usually clearly identify with a party.Communalists -belive more in the community activities of a non=partisan natureParochial participants dont vote or join, but contact for personal problems

What personal characteristics make a person more likely to participate?Factors educationchurchgoing age income sex race

Reasons for Low Voter Turnout?Increasing # of youth and minorities

Political parties are not as effective at mobilizing voters

The remaining difficulties in registering Same day registration states and automatic registration (Canada)

Not voting doesnt cost anything; But what is the cost of rewarding voters?

People feel that elections dont matter2008? Or 2010?

Voter Perspective 1John is 46 year-old white male. He is an electrician who makes $85,000 a year, and has been a member of the Electrical Workers Union for approximately 20 years. He is very religious, attending a Lutheran church each week. He has been divorced for about 5 years, and has 3 children. He gets most of his news from newspapers and occasionally from NBC or CNN.

Voter Perspective 2Maria is a Latino mother of 2 who just turned 35. She is a lawyer for a large law firm, and makes about $120,000 per year. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, a devout Catholic, and has been married for 5 years. She uses the Internet for her news, pays close attention to several blogs, and occasionally responds herself to the postings she reads.

Voter Perspective 3Eric is a black male, and a recent college graduate from Penn State in the area of business administration. He is 24, single, and just moved to New York City. He is not religious, and spends a good deal of his free time following sports and spending time out and about in New York City.Voter Perspective 4Sophia is a 73 year-old white female, and a grandmother of 6. She is retired from a lifetime as a public school teacher, and receives both a pension and social security. She and her husband live in a retirement community in Vermont, and attend their Methodist church every Sunday. She listens to NPR and watches PBS in order to stay current with the news.