Political Participation “Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.”- William SimonBad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don't vote.

% or more

Now never near 70% BUT: Less voter fraud Old numbers based on registered voters Australian ballot Voter registration to reduce fraud – 30 days in advance- reduces voting

Ruy Texeira: “ Younger, single, less church going electorate. They DON”T vote Political party( the machine) losing power Some difficult- ex. Absentee ballots Number of elections high (Federalism)- Europe votes much less often so each election mean more

Not voting is costless No extreme positions, two party system creates moderation. Extremes are found in third or alternative parties.

Rise of the electorate At Constitution only male white land owners By Andrew Jackson – all white males vote % of adults- England only 60% Congress taking some control from states- ex- 15 th amendment

The 15 th - a wonder “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

15th- a failure? Loopholes- Literacy test, poll taxes-1965 Alabama Literacy Test1965 Alabama Literacy Test Grandfather clause helped poor illiterate whites vote- cause Grandpa did. 19 th amendment women vote Indian Citizenship Act American Indians vote voting rights act th amendment- 18 yr olds

So we got the vote, do we use it? I didn’t vote because: Did not register 42% Don’t like candidates17% No real reason10% Sick/disabled8% No interest5% Away from home3% Can’t leave job2%

FOUR FIXES 1. Holiday- Would need a Constitutional amendment 2. Easier registration- Increases fraud 3. Strengthen parties- Not likely 4. Easier absentee voting

Democratic practice, democratic theory Requirement Anticipated result Reality INTEREST READ,LISTEN,CAMPAIGN NO INTEREST DISCUSSION MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT VERY LITTLE OCCURS MOTIVATION SHOULD BE STRONG SEE NO REASON FOR IT PRINCIPLE VOTE ON PRINCIPLEVOTE “COLLECTIVE “PRINCIPLES RATIONALITY RATIONAL? IRRATIONAL KNOWLEDGE BE INFORMED UNINFORMED

Geez, that looks bad but….. It fails individually but works collectively We seek balance in the electorate. Various level of interest and knowledge create that balance Here’s how:

CHARACTERISTIC EXPLANATION INVOLVEMENT AND INDIFFERENT MOTIVATED CAN’T BE SWAYED- INDIFFERENT CAN BE STABILITY AND FLEXIBILITYSTABLE IN LIFE = STABLE IN OPINION FLEXIBLE LIFE = FLEXIBLE OPINION PROGRESS AND CONSERVATIONLIBERALS- PROGRESS CONSERVATIVE- STATUS QUO SEEK A BALANCE CONSENSUS AND CLEAVAGETOO MUCH CONSENSUS RESTRICTS LIBERTY TOO MUCH CLEAVAGE RESTRICTS PROGRESS INDIVIDUALISM AND COLLECTIVISMINDIVIDUAL VOTES BUT OFTEN ON COLLECTIVE BELIEFS- COLLECTIVISM PROVIDES VOTING CUES

FED #10 In the next place, as each representative will be chosen by a greater number of citizens in the large than in the small republic, it will be more difficult for unworthy candidates to practice with success the vicious arts by which elections are too often carried; and the suffrages of the people being more free, will be more likely to centre in men who possess the most attractive merit and the most diffusive and established characters. How might this apply to the idea of more people voting?