Electorate The size of the American voting population The size of the American voting population Citizens must be 18 years of age Citizens must be 18 years of age United States Citizens United States Citizens

The Right to Vote – Suffrage or Franchise The right to vote (suffrage) has expanded in 5 stages The right to vote (suffrage) has expanded in 5 stages 1. Early 1800’s – Requirements about religion and property are removed 2. Post Civil War (1870’s) – 15 th Amendment removed racial restrictions

The Right to Vote - Suffrage – 19 th Amendment gave women the right to vote

The Right to Vote - Suffrage ’s –Better enforcement of the 15 th Amendment –23 rd Amendment gave DC residents a vote in presidential elections –24 th Amendment eliminated the poll tax – 26 th Amendment sets the voting age at 18

Voter Qualifications Universal requirements Universal requirements –Citizenship –Residence – reside in the state you wish to vote in –Age – 18 years Early voters in Minnesota for the 2008 Presidential election

Registration Is a procedure used for voter identification and was intended to prevent fraudulent voting. Is a procedure used for voter identification and was intended to prevent fraudulent voting. It also allows officials to have a list of qualified voters. It also allows officials to have a list of qualified voters.

Off Year Elections Lower turn out rates Lower turn out rates Congressional elections held in the even numbered years. Congressional elections held in the even numbered years. Held between Presidential elections Held between Presidential elections

Non-Voting Year Pop. Of Voting Age Votes Cast for President Votes Cast for U.S. Representatives (in millions) (percent) (percent) Magruder’s American Government pg 165

Political Socialization The process by which people gain their political beliefs The process by which people gain their political beliefs Family Family Friends Friends Income levels Income levels Education Education Gender & Age Gender & Age

People Likely to Vote Higher levels of income, education, and occupational status Higher levels of income, education, and occupational status Long term residents of a community Long term residents of a community Feels his/her vote matters Feels his/her vote matters

People Less Likely to Vote Younger than 35 Younger than 35 Unmarried Unmarried Unskilled Unskilled Rural areas Rural areas Thinks his/her vote doesn’t count Thinks his/her vote doesn’t count

Are people who are only living in a state for a short time. College students who claim their campus community as their legal residence can vote in that state Transient

Reviews lists of registered voters and removes the names of those who are no longer eligible to vote Purging

Poll Books Are books that are cluttered with names of people who no longer meet voting requirements. Are books that are cluttered with names of people who no longer meet voting requirements.

Poll Tax Was the payment of a special tax as a condition on voting. Was the payment of a special tax as a condition on voting. It took place in the southern parts of the United States It took place in the southern parts of the United States

Gerrymandering Is the practice of drawing electoral district lines Is the practice of drawing electoral district lines It is used to eliminate the strength of one given party. It is used to eliminate the strength of one given party.

Arizona District map

Maricopa County District Map

Injunction Is a court order that either compels (forces) or restrains (limits) the performance of some act by a private individual or by a public official Is a court order that either compels (forces) or restrains (limits) the performance of some act by a private individual or by a public official

Gender Gap The measurable differences between men and women in today’s society The measurable differences between men and women in today’s society

Party Identification Loyalty to a party is the most significant and lasting predictor of how a person will vote Loyalty to a party is the most significant and lasting predictor of how a person will vote Straight-ticket voting – voting for only for people of one party Straight-ticket voting – voting for only for people of one party Split-ticket voting – voting for people from different parties Split-ticket voting – voting for people from different parties