Political Participation Chapter Eight Political Participation

Elections: From State to Federal Control Initially, under the U.S. Constitution, states decided who could vote and for which offices This led to wide variation in federal elections Congress has since reduced state prerogatives through law and constitutional amendments greenevillesun.com

Elections: Federal Changes 1842 law: House members elected by district 17th Amendment (1913): election of Senators 15th Amendment (1870): seemed to give suffrage to African Americans (had to prove the denial was based on race) liberty-ca.org

Elections: Federal Changes 1965 Voting Rights Act – (suspended literacy test, federal examiners to increase registration, criminal penalties for interfering with the right to vote) (2006 – 25 year extension) (Rise in Black voting) 19th Amendment (1920): Women given suffrage westlawinsider.com

Voting Rights Act Provides registration or voting notices, forms, instructions, assistance, or other materials of information relating to the electoral process, including ballots, it shall provide them in the language of the applicable minority group as well as in the English language.

Voting Rights Act Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the department has regularly sent observers and monitors around the country to protect voters’ rights.  The observers and department personnel will gather information on whether voters are subject to different voting qualifications or procedures on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group.

Voting Rights Act On Election Day, federal observers will monitor polling place activities in 16 jurisdictions: Autauga County, Ala.; Bethel, Alaska; Apache and Navajo Counties, Ariz.; Riverside County, Calif.; Randolph County, Ga.; Kane County, Ill.; Salem County (Penns Grove), N.J.; Cibola and Sandoval Counties, N.M.; Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Shannon County; S.D.; and Dallas, Fort Bend, Galveston and Williamson Counties, Texas.

Elections: Federal Changes 1970 – Voting Rights Act giving 18 year olds the right to vote was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (Oregon v Mitchell – States could set their own age for state elections) 26th Amendment (1971): 18-year-olds given suffrage

Voter Turnout Alleged problem: low turnout of voters in the U.S. compared to Europe Data is misleading: it tends to compare turnout of the voting-age population; turnout of registered voters reveals the problem is not so severe (voting eligible) The real problem is low voter registration rates cyanpdx.com

Figure 8.2: Voter Participation in Presidential Elections, 1860-2004 Insert figure 8.2 (formerly 6.2 in 9e) For 1860-1928: Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970, part 2, 1071; 1932-1944: Statistical Abstract of the United State, 1992, 517; 1948-2000: Michael P. McDonald and Samuel L. Popkin, "The Myth of the Vanishing Voter," American Political Science Review 95 (December 2001): table 1, 966.

Voter Turnout Multiple justifications for voting decline: Lessening popular interest – little difference between the parties opensecrets.org Incumbency – less competition

Voter Turnout Decreasing party mobilization Historical voter turnout figures were skewed by fraud – “floater” – person who would vote multiple times Difficulty of registration – (Has become easier in many states - WI) Voter Turnout www2.needham.k12.ma.us

Six Kinds of US Citizens Campaigners: vote, get involved in campaign activities, more educated, interested in politics, identify with a party, take strong positions Communalists: nonpartisan community activists with a local focus life.com

Six Kinds of US Citizens Inactives: rarely vote, contribute to political organizations, or discuss politics; have little education, low income, young, many blacks Voting specialists: vote but do little else; not much education or income, older voters politicsdaily.com

Six Kinds of US Citizens Parochial participants: don’t vote or participate in campaigns or political organizations, but do contact politicians about specific problems Activists: Participate in all forms of politics; highly educated, high income, middle age ranchocordovapost.com

Predictors of Participation Those with schooling or political information are more likely to vote Age is the second major determining factor Men and women vote at the same rate upenn.edu

Predictors of Participation Black participation is lower than that of whites overall Controlling for socioeconomic status, blacks participate at a higher rate than whites zazzle.com.au

Predictors of Participation Church-goers vote more, because church involvement develops the skills associated with political participation Studies show no correlation between distrust of political leaders and not voting veteranstoday.com

Factors That Decrease Turnout More youths, blacks, and other minorities in population are pushing down the percentage of eligible adults who are registered and vote Parties are less effective in mobilizing voters mimifroufrou.com

Factors That Decrease Turnout Voting is not compulsory, as it is in some other nations – should it be mandatory that people should vote? Remaining impediments to registration have some discouraging effects compulsoryvoting.org

Factors That Decrease Turnout Some potential voters may feel that elections do not matter Americans elect far more public officials than do citizens of other countries infohedon.blogspot.com

Voting For Public Officials Ex. Franklin - President, Senator, Representative, Mayor, School Board, State Senator, Assembly, County Executive, Sheriff, City Council, State Superintendant – DPI, Wisconsin State Supreme Court, Judges hirdcoastdigest.com

Participation Other Than Voting Americans are engaged in political activities other then voting Examples?????? Provide reasons why participation outside of the voting process can be effective!!!! thehindu.com

Participation Other Than Voting People can give money to a candidate They can join political organizations – actively work for a candidate/voter registration mainlinemedianews.com

Participation Other Than Voting Actively participate in community problem- solving organizations Run for political office Political discussion groups – persuade others toward action anunews.net

Participation Other Than Voting Contact political officials/media Litigation – work within the judicial system Protest – including sit-ins or marches guardian.co.uk