Voter Turnout in 2008 Presidential Election 61.7% 61.7% million million

Who Voted in 2008? What are benefits of voting? What are benefits of voting? What are costs of voting? What are costs of voting? 2004 Presidential Election 2004 Presidential Election US Census Bureau, US Census Bureau, Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2004 Voting and Registration in the Election of November 2004

Education

Income

Age

Race

Employment Status

Who Votes? Socioeconomic Status (SES) Explanation Socioeconomic Status (SES) Explanation –voters with higher income and education have the civic skills to understand the value of voting, the difference between the candidates. –Policy Implication

Educate & Inform

Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections

% of Americans Voting in National Elections

Voter Turnout in LA Gubernatorial Elections

Vote for the Crook, It’s Important

Average % Voting in National Elections, last 6 election cycles

SES Explanation description or explanation description or explanation Alternative Explanations Alternative Explanations Policy Implications Policy Implications Political considerations Political considerations –Change the rules, change the electorate –Change the electorate, change the outcomes –Elected officials make the rules

Voter Registration

Voter Turnout in Presidential Elections

Policy Implications Same Day/Election Day Registration (MN, WI, NH, ID, ME, WY) Same Day/Election Day Registration (MN, WI, NH, ID, ME, WY) Motor Voter Registration Motor Voter Registration

Same Day/Election Day Registration (MN, WI, NH, ID, ME, WY) 5 of 7 top states in turnout (MN, WI, NH, ID, ME, WY) 5 of 7 top states in turnout

Source: US Census, US Population Survey, 2004 Presidential Election

Least likely to be registered Young, mobile, less affluent, minority Young, mobile, less affluent, minority Ohio- just adopted same day voter registration Ohio- just adopted same day voter registration –490,000 college students –Democratic Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner

Source: Young voters,USA TODAY/MTV/Gallup Poll, Sept , 60+, Black, Latino, Sep 13, Gallup

Source: CNN Exit Polls, 2004 Presidential Election

Motor Voter Registration register by mail, applying for a driver's license, at all offices that provide public assistance register by mail, applying for a driver's license, at all offices that provide public assistance

Impact of Motor Voter “We find little evidence that early voting reforms increase turnout with the exception of VBM in Oregon, and then only in presidential elections. In midterm elections, none of the reforms has a statistically significant impact on turnout….” “We find little evidence that early voting reforms increase turnout with the exception of VBM in Oregon, and then only in presidential elections. In midterm elections, none of the reforms has a statistically significant impact on turnout….”

Too Many Elections 521,000 elected offices 521,000 elected offices National, state, local, school, library, referendums National, state, local, school, library, referendums..\..\toomanyelections.xls..\..\toomanyelections.xls..\..\toomanyelections.xls

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, November 2006

Why hold elections on Tuesday? National Holiday National Holiday Mail-in Voting Mail-in Voting

Electoral System US- first past the post system US- first past the post system Europeans- proportional representation Europeans- proportional representation Consequences Consequences –fosters 2 parties –hurts smaller parties –No pro-life party, green party, or African American party –148 candidates in CA recall election = 70% turnout?

Lack of Mobilization , turnout in presidential elections averaged 80% , turnout in presidential elections averaged 80% Now, Unprecedented GOTV- 59% Now, Unprecedented GOTV- 59% Does it matter if you vote in New York, Texas, or California? Does it matter if you vote in New York, Texas, or California?

Voter ID Laws GA- voters to present either a driver's license or a state-issued photo ID 2005 GA- voters to present either a driver's license or a state-issued photo ID 2005 –35$ available at DMV

Milwaukee Black Voters League Flier “if anyone in your family has ever been found guilty of anything, even a traffic violation, you can't vote in the presidential election. If you violate any of these laws you can get ten years in prison and your children will get taken away from you." 2004 “if anyone in your family has ever been found guilty of anything, even a traffic violation, you can't vote in the presidential election. If you violate any of these laws you can get ten years in prison and your children will get taken away from you." 2004

Felon Disenfra nchisem ent

But…

Is Internet or E-Voting the solution to declining turnout?

Costs v. Benefits of Voting Costs Costs –Registration –Hassles –Information ========Solutions 1.Easier registration 2.E vote, mail in ballots 3.Group mobilization 4.Fewer elections Benefits Benefits –Psychic –Policy Solutions 1.Minority voters 2.Conservatives in 98’ 3.Reduce cynicism about politics 4.Vote matters

Should we be concerned that only 50.7% of Americans voted?

low turnout NOT a problem reflects contentment reflects contentment George Will “As more people are nagged to the polls, the caliber of the electorate declines. George Will “As more people are nagged to the polls, the caliber of the electorate declines. no difference between voters and non- voters preferences no difference between voters and non- voters preferences What happens with record turnout? What happens with record turnout?

2 Recent High Turnout Elections 2003 CA Recall Election 1998 MN Gubernatorial Race

Low Turnout IS a problem Voting pool is unrepresentative of nation Voting pool is unrepresentative of nation –HMO bill of rights vs uninsured

Decline of Social Capital Worked for political party 7%2.8% Served as officer in club 10%6% Attended Church 42%36% Member of Institute of Architects 41%28% Entertained at home 149 Bowled in a league 69/ / 1000

TV Usage: “TV is my primary form of entertainment” Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Volunteered Letters written 1218 Club meetings 59 Worked on community project 1.53 Gave finger to another driver 31.4