Voting & Voter Behavior Chapter 10

Q1: Suffrage, who can vote, two exceptions A. The right to vote All citizens over 18 who are registered Non-citizens & convicted criminals (Felons)

Q2: Citizenship & right to vote No, in its early days all the way through 19th century no citizenship requirements Today all states require citizenship as condition for voting

Q3: Expansion of suffrage & voter turnout As more and more included: All men (15th amendment) All women (19th amendment) All those 18 & over (26th amendment) Amendment #24 (banning Poll tax) Voting Rights Act of 1965 (banning literacy test) Less are voting: 1896 elections: 80% 2012 elections: 59% Kind of like Mr. Pak’s AP classes, as the enrollment has gone up from 60 students to 203, his % of students passing exam: 2011 = 80% 2016 = 60%

Q4: #1 reasons for non-voting Not able to take off time due to work Hold elections on Weekend (Saturday) or make election day a holiday (for example schools closed in Atlanta)

Q5: Downs rational voting 1. they believe policies of one party/candidate will bring more benefits than the policies of the other party/candidate 2. High sense of political efficacy: the belief that ordinary people can influence the government & that their vote will make a difference, just carrying out their civic duty!

Q6: Why must we register? Effects of it! To prevent corruption involved w/stuffing ballot boxes, and voter fraud (voting more than one time) It has kept many from voting due to Federalism (from state to state registration requirements different) Ex. In Georgia: must have registered by 30 days before election In Iowa & Nevada: same day as voting registration allowed

Q7: Motor Voter Act Made registering to vote easier by checking a box on their driver’s license application or renewal form Results: very disappointing, not much difference than previous to the Act being passed

Q8: what has made voting more difficult lately? Critics opinion? Some states are now requiring ID cards to prove you are who you are such as drivers license or Passports. They say it will cut down in voter fraud! Critics say it’s a huge burden on students, poor and minorities as many don’t have the requirements Seen as the new Poll Tax! Also, they say fraud so little and so ineffective in end- results of elections that it is more of a voter suppression tactic than anything else

Q9: “American Perspective” other reasons for low voter turnout! 1. Voter registration: in US individual has to do this themselves 2. Voting too frequently due to federalism 3. The choices given here not as stark as other places, such as Europe: Labor party Conservative party Liberal party Socialist party Religious party

Q10: Profile of voter vs. non-voter Higher educated Older on average White Married, kids Possible union member or government worker Non-voter: Low education Younger Minority Man Single Non-union member/govt worker

Q11: Mandate theory of election When a candidate makes promises on campaign & people vote for him and elect him, they give the candidate the support to carry policy out This is known as a Mandate! Example when Pres. Obama campaigned for two years about fixing the healthcare system, he believed most voters wanted to see changes such as ACA (Obamacare)

Q12: Three elements of a voter’s decision They don’t believe it really works like that, and its more complicated 1. Party id (very important): strongest factor in how a voter will vote provides a perspective through which voters can view the political world parties rely on groups that lean heavily in their favor to form their basic coalition (core support) 2. voter’s evaluation of a candidate, looking for: a. Integrity: honest & trustworthy b. Reliability: dependable & decisive c. Competence: knowledge & know about of how to do the job

Q12 Cont…. 3. the match between voter’s policy position & those of candidate (policy making): a. have clear view of their own policy position b. know where candidate stands on issue c. must be able to see differences between candidates on issues d. cast a vote with one who coincides

Retrospective Voting Theory If elections affect policy, then policy affects elections as well: Retrospective voters ask the question “what have you done for me lately?” Those who provide desired results get re-elected & those who do not, do not get re-elected!