Clark Precinct Analysis PLAP 430 Fall 2004 Nikeita Lea, Dawn Miller, Vinh Nguyen, and Rishi Roy The Effect of Socio-Economic Status on Political Participation

Clark Precinct: Location

Democrat Republican Bar/Shop Church Commercial Zone Trailer Park Halloween Decorations Keep Out Polling site

Field Observations Democratic Signs (Kerry/Edwards and Weed) Democratic Signs (Kerry/Edwards and Weed)127 Republican Signs (Bush/Cheney and Goode) Republican Signs (Bush/Cheney and Goode) 8 Halloween Decorations Halloween Decorations221 No Trespassing and Keep Out Signs No Trespassing and Keep Out Signs 8

Clark Precinct Community Overview

The architectural spans of many of these neighborhoods date back to the late 1800s until present day. In many areas there are multi- family dwellings, which include apartment complexes and condominiums. The neighborhoods are well organized with homes placed close together The architectural spans of many of these neighborhoods date back to the late 1800s until present day. In many areas there are multi- family dwellings, which include apartment complexes and condominiums. The neighborhoods are well organized with homes placed close together

Clark Precinct Community Overview The Clark Precinct is home to a variety of public and semi-public community facilities. These varied and diverse facilities contribute to the quality of life for residents as well as the overall quality of the communities. A few of the facilities would include schools, parks, churches, cultural centers, libraries, etc. The main one in this area Clark Elementary School Clark Elementary School

Clark Precinct Community Overview StreetReal Estate value of home: Avon Avenue: 201 Avon Ave.$159, Avon Ave.$273, Avon Ave.$87, Avon Ave.$153,200 Monticello Avenue 604 Monticello Ave.$114, Monticell Ave.$152, Monticello Ave.$94, Monticelle Ave.$251, Monticello Ave.$214, Monticello Ave.$188, Monticello Ave.$175,600 6th Street 108 6th St NW$259, th St NW$303, th St NW$129, th St SE$107, th St SE$109, th St SE$100, th St SE$87,700

Clark Precinct Community Overview  The majority of homes located on a single street vary tremendously in real estate value. WHY???? There has been a recent boom in home refinancing in Charlottesville in the last few years because of Tax Abatement for Revitalized Housing Program. There has been a recent boom in home refinancing in Charlottesville in the last few years because of Tax Abatement for Revitalized Housing Program. Increased incentive refinance homes because qualified residents receive tax exemptions for home improvements. Increased incentive refinance homes because qualified residents receive tax exemptions for home improvements. Value of homes recently increasing $50,000 to $100,000 Value of homes recently increasing $50,000 to $100,000

Election Results for Charlottesville: 2004, 2000 and 1996 Source: Virginia State Board of Elections

Most Important Issues for Clark Voters Iraq/Afghanistan 36.1% Iraq/Afghanistan 36.1% Negative Bush 10.3% Negative Bush 10.3% Terrorism and Homeland Security 8.2% Terrorism and Homeland Security 8.2% Health 7.2% Health 7.2%

Comparing Presidential Results Why is Clark more Democratic than Charlottesville, Virginia and the Nation?

Racial Composition Source: US Census 2000

Clark Voters’ Religious Affiliation

Clark vs. other Charlottesville Precincts Source: US Census 2000

Clark vs. other Charlottesville Precincts Source: US Census 2000

Do Wealthier Precincts Vote at Higher Rates than Less Wealthy Precincts? Source: US Census 2000 and Charlottesville Registrar YES: There was a generally positive relationship between mean precinct income and voter turnout.

Are Voters Wealthier than Non- Voters? Source: US Census and UVA Exit Poll YES: Mean Voter Income Always Exceeded Mean Overall Income

Do Wealthier Individuals Donate More Often to Political Campaigns? Source: UVA Exit Polling Charlottesville: YES Clark Precinct: Not necessarily.

Clark Precinct John Kerry Campaign Donations Clark Precinct John Kerry Campaign Donations

Clark Precinct George Bush Campaign Donations

Do Individuals with More Prestigious Occupations Vote at Higher Rates than do those with Less Prestigious Occupations? Source: US Census and UVA Exit Poll YES: “Low occupational prestige” vote at disproportionately low rates. “High occupational prestige” vote at disproportionately high rates.

Education from Polling Data versus Education from Census Data Percentage reflects respondents whose listed age is 25 years or higher. The age was entered into the calculation because the U.S. Census Bureau information provided considered age as a factor. Their data is based on respondents 25 years of age or higher.

Volunteer Time versus Income Level The higher the percentage shown for income, the higher the average income is in that particular precinct. The actual percentage number shown correlates with the chart in order to understand the actual average income of the particular precinct. The volunteer percentage correlates to the number of “yes” responses to the question of whether the person volunteered for a political campaign or not.10 Under $25 K 20 $25K to $50K 30 $50K to $75K 40 $75K to $100K 50 $100K to $200K 60 $200K +

Conclusions Individuals with higher socio- economic prestige participate at higher rates Individuals with higher socio- economic prestige participate at higher rates The higher the education level, increases the likelihood of political participation The higher the education level, increases the likelihood of political participation Volunteerism seems to be independent of income level Volunteerism seems to be independent of income level

Why does this matter? Low rates of participation from most lower status citizens decreases politicians’ responsiveness to their needs Low rates of participation from most lower status citizens decreases politicians’ responsiveness to their needs A vicious cycle: Politicians do not address issues that are pertinent to low status citizens. At the same time, low status citizens are less likely to participate because they feel as if they are not valued. A vicious cycle: Politicians do not address issues that are pertinent to low status citizens. At the same time, low status citizens are less likely to participate because they feel as if they are not valued.