Voting Behaviors and Suffrage-Expanding the Electorate Honors US American Government & Politics Miami Arts Charter School

Voter turnout in US is relatively low, especially in nonpresidential elections. Low voter turnout weakens American democracy Policies do not reflect the will of the majority Interest groups have more power over the political process Low Voter Turnout

Voter turnout is higher if the election is seen as important. Voter turnout is higher in presidential elections than in off- year elections. Many reasons why there is low voter turnout: 1. expansion of the electorate— increase in the number of potential voters (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Low Voter Turnout

2. failure of political parties to mobilize voters—negative campaigning, numerous elections, frequent elections, lack of party identification 3. No perceived differences between the candidates or parties—both parties and their candidates are seen as virtually the same 4. mistrust of government—a belief that all candidates are untrustworthy or unresponsive, due in part to the Watergate and Iran-Contra scandals Low Voter Turnout

5. Frequent elections—America’s federal system produces more elections than any other modern democracy. This makes it difficult for citizens to keep up with all the candidates running for office. 6. Weekday, non-holiday voting- many people are discouraged from voting because they do not want to leave work on a Tuesday, in the middle of a work week, to vote. Low Voter Turnout

Two greatest factors that influence low voter turnout 1. political efficacy- the citizens' faith and trust in government and their belief that they can understand and influence political affairs 2. registration process Lack of political efficacy 1. internal political efficacy- the belief that one can understand politics and therefore participate in politics 2. external political efficacy-that the government will respond to their demands Low Voter Turnout

Low Voter Turnout Registration process differences in registration procedures from state to state may create barriers; with the exception of North Dakota, all states have voter registration laws that require eligible voters to register to be allowed to vote. Registration laws reduce fraud but create obstacles that discourage people from voting. Low Voter Turnout

Registration process The National Registration Act of 1993 (aka the Motor Voter Act) made registration easier by allowing people to register to vote while applying for or renewing a driver’s license. Low Voter Turnout

Low Voter Turnout

Voting Behavior-Who Votes? Who Votes? Several factors affect the likelihood of voting: education—The higher the level of education, the more likely a person is to vote. This is the most important indicator of voting behavior. ● occupation and income—These often depend on education level. Those with white- collar jobs and higher levels of income are more likely to vote than those with blue- collar jobs or lower levels of income. Voting Behavior-Who Votes?

Voting Behavior-Who Votes? age—Older people are more likely to vote than younger people. race—Minorities such as African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to vote than whites, unless they have similar socioeconomic status. gender—At one time, gender was not a major predictor, but today women are more likely vote than men. religion—Those who are more active within their religion vote more than those who aren’t active. Voting Behavior-Who Votes?

Voting Behavior-Who Votes? community membership—People who are well integrated into community life are more likely to vote than those who have moved recently. party identification—Those who have a strong sense of party identification are more likely to vote. geography—Residents of states with interparty competition and close elections may be more likely to vote than those who live in states with one-party domination. Voting Behavior-Who Votes?

Expansion of Voter Rights Federal laws and constitutional amendments have dramatically expanded the American electorate by: 1. eliminating restrictions on the right to vote 2. reducing the power of individual states over a citizen’s right to vote. Expansion of Voter Rights

Expansion of Voter Rights Originally, the electorate was restricted to white male property owners. About 1 in 15 adult white males had the right to vote. Under Andrew Jackson, property ownership and tax payments as qualifications for voting were eliminated. By 1850, almost all white males had the right to vote. Expansion of Voter Rights

Expansion of Voter Rights 15th Amendment (1870)-elimination of race disqualifications. However, there were restrictions, including grandfather clause, poll taxes and literacy requirements 19th Amendment (1920)- elimination of gender disqualifications. 23rd Amendment (1961)- allowing residents of Washington, D.C., to vote in presidential elections Expansion of Voter Rights

Expansion of Voter Rights 24th Amendment (1964)- outlawed the poll tax as a means of discouraging citizens from voting. Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited any government from using voting procedures that denied a person the vote on the basis of color. Authorized federal registrars to protect African Americans' right to vote in Southern states and counties with a history of discrimination. Expansion of Voter Rights

Expansion of Voter Rights 24th Amendment (1964)- outlawed the poll tax as a means of discouraging citizens from voting. Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibited any government from using voting procedures that denied a person the vote on the basis of color. Abolished the use of literacy requirements for anyone who had completed the 6th grade. Authorized federal registrars to protect African Americans' right to vote in Southern states and counties with a history of discrimination. Expansion of Voter Rights

Expansion of Voter Rights 26th Amendment (1971)- as a consequence of the use of the draft during the Vietnam War, the minimum age for voting in any election cannot be less than 18 years. A state may set a minimum voting age of less than 18. Expansion of Voter Rights