1 “It is not enough that people have the right to vote…People must have the reason to vote as well.” Jesse Jackson

2 The Right to Vote –Constitution left suffrage qualifications to each state Suffrage (Franchise) The right to vote.

3 Expanding the Electorate –In 1789 only 1 in 15 could vote (voters had to be white male and property owner). –Electorate- Is the potential voting population.

4 Early voting requirements: White, male, over 21, property owner, church going. Only about 1 in 30 could vote. –Extending suffrage came in 5 stages 1) 1800’s religious requirement dropped 2) th amendment protects right to vote regardless of race 3) th amendment women get to vote

5 4) 1960’s Voting rights act of 1965—forced states to allow blacks to vote. 23 rd Amendment granted residents of Washington DC sufferage. 24th amendment outlaws poll tax. 5) th amendment States must set voting age at 18 years or less. “Old enough to fight, old enough to vote.”

6 Constitution does not outline suffrage rights, that power is left to the individual states. Constitution only outlines what states cannot do. States cannot: decide what elections people vote in deny right to vote on sex, race, or color No poll tax Over 18

7 Voter Qualifications: –3 Universal Requirements 1) Citizenship in the U.S. 2) Residence: Must be legal resident of the state you vote in. Length of residence varies state to state. 3) Minimum age at no more than 18 years (18 to 20 year olds have lowest voter turnout of any group).

8 Registration: A procedure of voter identification that prevents fraudulent voting. A common feature since the 1900’s. –U.S. is the only country in the world to require voter registration. Who cannot vote? People in mental institutions, and those convicted of a felony.

9 Gerrymandering: the practice of drawing electoral lines in order to limit the voting strength of a particular group or party.

10 Voter behavior: –Nonvoters (Idiot- Greek word for citizens who did not vote or refused to participate in public life.) –In million people eligible to vote –Only voted or 51.2% –100 million eligible to vote did not.

11 Non-voters: Choose not to vote –Physically unable –Sick –Traveling –Happy with things –Political efficacy: lack any sense of their own influence or effectiveness in politics –Ballot Fatigue: The farther down the ballot an office is the less number of votes cast.

12 Voters to Non-voters Voters- Higher levels of income, education, occupational status, long time residents, and strong party identification. Non-Voters- younger than 35, unmarried, unskilled jobs, rural, male.

13 Republicans– on average –Higher income –More education –Male –White –Rural –Family –Strong Party Identification

14 Democrats– On average –Lower income –Less education –Female –Younger –Live in Cities –Strong Party identification –Family

15 Straight ticket voting: Voting for candidates of only one party. Split ticket voting: Voting for candidates of more than one party.