Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

Chapter 13 Voting and Elections

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives Roots of the American Elections LO 13.1: Trace the roots of American elections, and distinguish among the four different types of elections. Presidential Elections LO 13.2: Outline the electoral procedures for presidential and general elections.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives Congressional Elections LO 13.3: Compare and contrast congressional and presidential elections, and explain the incumbency advantage. Patterns in Vote Choice LO 13.4: Identify seven factors that influence voter choice.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Chapter Outline and Learning Objectives Voter Turnout LO 13.5: Identify six factors that affect voter turnout. Toward Reform: Problems with Voter Turnout LO 13.6: Explain why voter turnout is low, and evaluate methods for improving voter turnout.

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Roots of American Elections LO 13.1: Trace the roots of the American elections, and distinguish among the four types of elections. LO 13.1: Trace the roots of the American elections, and distinguish among the four types of elections. Elections are responsible for most political changes in the United States. Regular free elections guarantee mass political action and enable citizens to influence the actions of their government. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The Purpose of Elections Legitimize government, even in authoritarian systems. Organize government. Choose issue and policy priorities. Electorate gives winners a mandate. LO 13.1 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Types of Elections Primary elections can be open or closed. –Crossover voting or raiding can occur in open primaries. –Runoff primaries held if no candidate wins a majority. General elections Ballot measures: Initiatives, referendums, and recall elections LO 13.1 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is a primary election? A.Election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices. B.Election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election. C.An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitting them to the electorate for popular vote. D.An election whereby the state legislature submits proposed legislation or state constitutional amendments to the voters for approval. E.An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office prior to the next scheduled election. LO 13.1 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is a primary election? A.Election in which voters decide which candidates will actually fill elective public offices. B.Election in which voters decide which of the candidates within a party will represent the party in the general election. C.An election that allows citizens to propose legislation or state constitutional amendments by submitting them to the electorate for popular vote. D.An election whereby the state legislature submits proposed legislation or state constitutional amendments to the voters for approval. E.An election in which voters can remove an incumbent from office prior to the next scheduled election. LO 13.1 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Presidential Elections LO 13.2: Outline the electoral procedures for presidential and general elections. LO 13.2: Outline the electoral procedures for presidential and general elections. Primaries and Caucuses Delegates to convention chosen by election or caucus. Elections may be winner- take-all or proportional. Caucuses are better for the party organization. Trend toward front-loading. Trend toward front-loading To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Electing a President: The Electoral College Representatives from each state who select president. Electors equivalent to senators plus representatives. Electors equivalent to senators plus representatives. Framers favored system to remove power from people. The 1876 and 2000 elections raised concerns about system. LO 13.2 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The U.S. president is elected every four years in general elections by A.popular vote. B.state-based caucuses. C.the Electoral College. D.winner-take-all primary elections. E.popular referendums. LO 13.2 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman The U.S. president is elected every four years in general elections by A.popular vote. B.state-based caucuses. C.the Electoral College. D.winner-take-all primary elections. E.popular referendums. LO 13.2 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Congressional Elections LO 13.3: Compare and contrast congressional and presidential elections, and explain the incumbency advantage. LO 13.3: Compare and contrast congressional and presidential elections, and explain the incumbency advantage. The Incumbency Advantage Support from a paid staff. Incumbents are more visible. “Scaring off” other challengers. –name recognition –large war chests –free constituency mailings –Previous campaign experience To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Why Incumbents Lose Redistricting can pit incumbents against one another. Scandals. Presidential coattails. Midterm elections. LO 13.3 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman All of the following factors increase the likelihood that an incumbent will win reelection EXCEPT A. a paid staff. B. a large war chest. C. name recognition. D. greater visibility. E. scandals. LO 13.3 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman All of the following factors increase the likelihood that an incumbent will win reelection EXCEPT A. a paid staff. B. a large war chest. C. name recognition. D. greater visibility. E. scandals. LO 13.3 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Patterns in Vote Choice LO 13.4: Identify seven factors that influence voter choice. LO 13.4: Identify seven factors that influence voter choice. Party identification Ideology Income and education Race and ethnicity Gender Religion Issues Many factors Many factors impact voter choice. To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote for the Democratic party? A. a high income individual B. a highly educated individual C. a Protestant D. an African American E. a man LO 13.4 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote for the Democratic party? A. a high income individual B. a highly educated individual C. a Protestant D. an African American E. a man LO 13.4 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Voter Turnout LO 13.5: Identify six factors that affect voter turnout. LO 13.5: Identify six factors that affect voter turnout. States regulate voter eligibility. Factors that affect voter turnout: –Income and education –Race and ethnicityRace and ethnicity –Gender –Age –Civil engagement –Interest in politics To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote? A. A white person with an annual income of $35,000 or higher B. A Hispanic person with an annual income of $35,000 or less C. A 21 year old who did not finish high school D. An felon serving a prison sentence E. An African American with an annual income of $65,000 or higher LO 13.5 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Which of the following individuals is most likely to vote? A. A white person with an annual income of $35,000 or higher B. A Hispanic person with an annual income of $35,000 or less C. A 21 year old who did not finish high school D. An felon serving a prison sentence E. An African American with an annual income of $65,000 or higher LO 13.5 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Toward Reform: Problems with Voter Turnout LO 13.6: Explain why voter turnout is low, and evaluate methods for improving voter turnout. LO 13.6: Explain why voter turnout is low, and evaluate methods for improving voter turnout. Voter turnout in the United States is low. Why?Why? –Other commitments: People are too busy. –Difficulty of registration –Number of elections –Voter attitudes: apathy, satisfaction, lack of a pressing issue –Weakened influence of political parties To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Ways to Improve Voter Turnout Make Election Day a Holiday Enable Early Voting Permit Mail and Online Voting Make Registration Easier Modernize the Ballot Strengthen Parties LO 13.6 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is the number one reason people in the United States don’t vote? A.They are too busy. B.They are satisfied with their lives. C.They encounter bad weather while trying to vote. D.They forget. E.They don’t have transportation to the polling station. LO 13.6 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman What is the number one reason people in the United States don’t vote? A.They are too busy. B.They are satisfied with their lives. C.They encounter bad weather while trying to vote. D.They forget. E.They don’t have transportation to the polling station. LO 13.6 To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Figure 13.1: When do states choose their nominee for president? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Figure 13.2: How is voting power apportioned in the Electoral College? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Table 13.1: How does the president affect congressional elections? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Figure 13.3: How do demographic characteristics affect citizens’ vote choice? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Figure 13.4: How has the racial and ethnic composition of voters changed? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Table 13.2: How do states regulate voter eligibility? Back To Learning Objectives

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman Analyzing Visuals: Why people Don’t Vote Back To Learning Objectives