Voting Patterns LG: I will identify forms of political participation, and assess the effect on voter turnout

7.4 FIGURE 7.3: Political participation and awareness in the United States Ten years from now, which of these activities would you expect to become more prevalent, and which less so?

I. Ways to Participate Blogs, interest group, protests, boycotts, pickets, sit-ins, & marches Efficacy: citizens believe they can influence political events, trusting the system

II. Voting Voting requirements have been set by the states Requirements set through laws & amendments Voter registration causes obstacles Motor Voter Bill: eases registration burden but didn’t increase voter turnout

7.4 TABLE 7.4: Women’s suffrage timeline Our ideas about suffrage, the right to vote, have changed over time. This timeline about women’s suffrage is an example.

7.4 TABLE 7.5: Changes in voting eligibility standards since 1870 How have “the people” included in our government by the people changed since the founding of our country?

III. Turnout Highest: presidential elections Lowest: local elections i. Attributed to the burden of registration falling on the voters

7.4 FIGURE 7.4: Voter turnout in presidential elections, 1789–2008 Voter turnout began to drop significantly around 1900, in part as a result of election reforms.

7.4 FIGURE 7.5: Voter turnout in presidential and midterm elections, 1992–2010 Midterm elections have lower voter turnouts.

IV. Who Votes? Education is the most important predictor

7.4 This poster, published by the League of Women Voters, urged women to use the vote the Nineteenth Amendment had given them.

V. Nonvoting Lower turnout may indicate approval of the status quo Higher turnout may indicate desire for change

7.4 TABLE 7.6: Why people do not vote What reforms could you suggest to help negate the most often cited reason for not voting?

VI. Voting by Party Voters vote with the party they prefer Independent voters are increasing

VII. Voting by Candidate Candidate appeal Candidate-centered politics

VII. Voting by Issue Issues voting is less common “wedge issues” motivate people to vote Retrospective voting is a direct reflection of what the current leaders are doing in gov’t Prospective voting where voters vote hoping the candidate will do a good job

VIII. Impact of Campaigns Effective campaigns increase voting Importance of money

“I don’t believe in making it easy for apathetic, lazy people to vote “I don’t believe in making it easy for apathetic, lazy people to vote.” Same Ervin Agree or disagree, why?

7 Discussion Question How would you describe your own political attitudes? Liberal? Conservative? Does the American political system allow for independent ideologies? How?