Political Participation Political Beliefs and Behaviors #4

Participation Political Participation The tendency is to look at participation as just voting in elections. However it refers to every way we take part in politics and government. VotingJoining a political partyGiving a candidate a donation for their campaign Educating yourself on issuesHaving a reasoned debate over issues

Two Ways to Look at Voting Voting Age Population Measuring the vote of all people who have reached the age of 18. Many people in this group are not eligible to vote (non-citizens, convicted felons) In 2008: 56.8% voter turnout based on VAP Voting Eligible Participation Measuring the vote of all people who are legally allowed to vote. In 2008: 61.7% voter turnout based on VEP

Why Do People Not Vote? Registration Process is a barrier to voting Although it does not take “much” effort it is still a burden on the individual to go through the process of registering to vote. What about those who are registered but don’t vote? 25% surveyed said they were too busy or had a scheduling conflict 12% said family obligations 12% said they didn’t think their vote would matter. In Europe registration is automatic, in the U.S. the burden lies on the individual

Attempts to Encourage Voting Early Voting, Absentee Voting, Mail-in Voting – Forty million registered voters failed to vote in recent elections – Forty million voting-age citizens failed to register in either of the two elections Get Out the Vote Drives – Limited impact. Door-to-door and phone calls were most effective – In 2008, 38% of voters say they were convinced to vote in this way Easier Registration (Motor Voter Law, etc) – Increased registration but not voter turnout by a significant factor

Voter ID Laws In recent years some states have implemented Voter ID Laws In order to vote a person must present an “official” photo ID to prove they are the person they say they are. The stated reason is to cut down on voter fraud (although there is no evidence to suggest voter fraud actually occurs at any “real” level) Critics suggest that the goal is to keep minorities and the poor from voting (less likely to have/carry an official photo ID like a Driver’s Licence)

Rise of the American Electorate Under the Constitution states were able to establish who could vote and for what offices. Led to wide variations in Federal Offices – Some House members were elected by district – Others elected in a state wide election

Evolution of Voting 1842: All House Members must be elected by districts 1870: 15 th Amendment gives right to vote to African Americans 1920: 19 th Amendment gives right to vote to women. Increased participation but no impact on results. 1965: Voting Rights Act guarantees the right to vote for African Americans 1971: 26 th Amendment gives suffrage to all eighteen-year-olds. Turnout low and has fallen since.

Evolution in Voting In all cases it was the Federal Government stepping in and dictating to the states who was eligible to vote and how elections are to take place. This reflects the overall theme of Centralization of Government. More and more the Federal Government is exerting power in more areas.

Voter Turnout Two Theories Real Decline – Decreasing Popular Interest in Government – Decreasing Power of Parties to Mobilize Voters Apparent Decline – Fraud Once Prevalent

Barriers To Voting 1)Age: 18 years or older 2)Citizenship Requirement 3)Criminal Record: Most states bar felons from voting 4)Registration Requirement Not automatic Residency Requirements Registration must occur in advance of election

“Likely” Voters Older Voters High Income More Educated When income is taken into account African Americans and Whites vote at the same rate, which is a higher one than Latinos (although that doubled from 1996 to 2008) People who attend religious services

Political Participation Verba and Nie have categorized 6 forms of participation in U.S. citizens 1)Inactives: Rarely vote, give money, or discuss politics (little education, low income, young,22%) 2)Voting Specialists: Vote but do little else (not much education or income, older) 3)Campaigners: Vote and get involved in campaign activities. (More educated, more interested in politics, identify with a party, have strong positions)

Political Participation 4) Communalists: Nonpartisan community activists with a local focus. 5) Parochial Participants: Don’t vote or participate in campaigns but will contact politicians about specific problems 6) Activists: Participate in all forms of politics (highly educated, high income, middle aged; 11% of population)