Political Participation and Voting

Voting Suffrage extended to different groups at different points in American history. Initially only wealthy, white, male, >21 years old – Wealth limitation eliminated early 1800s – 15 th Amendment enfranchises black men (1870) – 19 th Amendment enfranchises women (1920) – 24 th Amendment ends poll taxes (1964) – 26 th Amendment lowers age to 18 (1971)

Voting Right to vote: all American citizens >18 yrs. old – 10 states (as of 2012) lifetime ban convicted felons Turnout relatively low today – Other democracies and points in American history – 60 percent national average presidential elections – 33 percent national average off-year national races Significant state and regional differences

Voter Registration Rates by Social Group, 2008

Voting

Voter turnout in democratic nations 1945–2008 Voting

Voter turnout by race and ethnicity 1976–2008

Voting Voter turnout by educational attainment 1976–2008

Voting Voter turnout by Employment Status1976–2008

Voting Voter turnout by Age Distribution1976–2008

WHO ARE AMERICANS? AGERACEGENDER SOURCE: Data are based on exit polls available at (accessed 11/12/12). Who Made Up the Electorate in 2012? 53% Women 47% Men 19% 18–29 27% 30–44 38% 45–64 16% 65+ Asian 3% Other 2% 72% White Black 13% Hispanic 10%

WHO ARE AMERICANS? SOURCE: Data are based on exit polls available at (accessed 11/12/12). Who Made Up the Electorate in 2012? ANNUAL INCOME PARTYEDUCATION 20% < $30,000 22% $30,000– 49,000 59% > $50,000 38% Democrat 38% Republican 29% Independent 53% No college degree 29% College graduate 18% Postgraduate

Voting Why do people vote? Individual preferences and traits –Partisanship, ideology, religion, sex, income, etc. Political environment –Campaigns, issues, mobilization, party competition State policies –Registration deadlines and methods, identification, ballot types (paper, mail only, etc.)

Voting Political mobilization –Process by which large numbers of people are organized for a political activity –Online and/or in-person mobilization activities include ads, calls, s, campaign events, fundraising, and others. Not all people are mobilized equally. –Turnout disparities reflect mobilization differences. –Other factors, but mobilization an important one

Voting Individual traits and preferences Demographic indicators –Education, income, sex, race/ethnicity, age –Education: highest impact because influences so many other factors correlated with voter turnout information, efficacy, and, of course, income Preferences and attitudes –Party attachment, ideology, issue positions Makes sense: people with well-formed opinions vote

Voting Political environment Context can attract voters to the polls –Candidates, pressing issues –Mobilization strategies and investment –Party competition (or lack thereof) Consistently competitive or noncompetitive –Voters, candidates, parties and contributors ALL take party competition into account.

Voting State policies All states implement voting and election laws differently. Some make it easier than others. –Registration deadlines prior to election day –Length of residency at current address –Identification requirements –Early and absentee voting rules –Variable vote locations –Ballot method: mail only, paper ballot, kiosk, etc.

American Voters Why is turnout different across groups? Turnout = state rules + political context + individual traits Variation in all three variables explains voter turnout trends.

American Voters Latinos: largest minority in United States (16 percent as of 2010) Established political ties with both parties –Cuban Americans with GOP; Puerto Rican and Mexican American with Democrats Population geographic concentrations –Parties competitive: FL, NV, NM, CO –Parties noncompetitive states: TX, CA, NY, CT Low turnout factors: income, education, state laws, party competition, low mobilization

American Voters African Americans: (13 percent of U.S. as of 2010) Strong ties to Democratic Party since 1960s –Voting rights, desegregation, civil rights agenda Turnout in context –Laws kept black turnout low for over a century. –Voting Rights Act (1965), turnout rates soar. –Today, turnout more than Latinos, less than whites –Low turnout factors: income, education, state laws, low mobilization by both parties

American Voters Asian Americans: (5 percent of U.S. as of 2010) Party ties not strong, lean Democrat Geographic concentration: –Hawaii, California, Texas, New York, New Jersey Turnout in context –Lowest turnout rate of groups we can estimate –Factors: in-group diversity and geographic diffusion make group cohesiveness difficult, low mobilization, noncompetitive states

Gender and Participation

Percent Women in Elected Office

American Voters Gender and turnout differences Since 1984, women’s turnout higher than men Men vote GOP at a higher rate. Women vote Democrat at a higher rate. Policy priorities and issue positions often differ. Parties make direct mobilization appeals to women voters; indirect to men. –Ads, messaging, agenda issues

American Voters Age and turnout differences Long-standing trend: older voters highest turnout rate; youngest voters, lowest –People become voters over their lifetime. Nonvoters at 20, probably voting by 65 –Partisanship and issue positions stronger with age –Familiarity with registration process differs –Low turnout factors: information, experience, residential mobility, efficacy, income

American Voters Religiosity and Turnout Differences People who attend religious services turn out at higher rates than those who do not. –Makes sense: people participating in one community activity, likely take part in another. –Religious institutions’ mobilization around issues and ideology; not only to benefit of GOP. –Many candidates make direct overtures to voters targeting their religious identity.

Public Opinion Poll Several countries (that are democracies) have compulsory voting policies that require all citizens to vote, and fine those who do not. Should the United States adopt such a policy to increase voter participation in American elections? a)Yes b)No

Public Opinion Poll Which form of (individual) political participation do you think has the most influence on elected officials and candidates? a)Voting b)Campaign contributions c)Contacting them to express concerns ( , calls, visits to their offices, etc.) d)Some other activity

Public Opinion Poll Do you think laws, policies, and the way government operates in general would be different if everyone eligible to vote actually did? a)Yes b)No

Public Opinion Poll State rules governing the voting process— deadlines, early/absentee options, ballot method— vary widely. Should all states have the same rules on these aspects to voting and elections? a)Yes b)No

Public Opinion Poll Do you think more people would vote if there were more convenient options, like weekend or online (secured website) voting? a)Yes b)No

Voting Rights