Chapter 6: Wilson AP Government and Politics Consider: What are the qualities that make a person MORE LIKELY to vote?

 The Constitution: Fed not responsible for elections…  Just establish date and ensure House members popularly elected But this leaves a lot open; statewide, staggered terms, etc.  States could determine who was eligible to vote What problem arose under this system?

 The 15 th - Guaranteed the right to vote to “all persons”  Supreme Court – “Vote could be denied, but denial can’t be based on race”…  What did some state governments do in order to disenfranchise African-Americans after its passage?  Not until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 does African-American participation in elections become widespread and fair  The 19 th - Gave all women the right to vote  Prior to this, some states had extended the right to vote to women. Did dramatic change result from the influx of women voters into the electorate?  Why not?  The 26 th - Extended the right to vote to 18 year-olds.  Was their impact dramatic?

 Reasons for decline after 1890 Decline in interest, weakening parties Voter fraud before Australian ballot  How do voter registration procedures impact turnout?  Measuring voter turnout VAP – all persons old enough VEP – of those persons, only those actually eligible

 “It’s the economy, stupid.” Voters concern with issues, including jobs and debt Percent who followed this story most closely… News Story% Economy 23 Health care reform 18 Situation in Afghanistan 13 Don't ask, don't tell debate 6 Congressional elections 6 Drug violence in Mexico 5

 Referendum on Obama’s first term  Republican motives Potential for Palin, Bachman

 Factors – education churchgoing age income sex race

 John is 46 year-old white male. He is an electrician who makes $85,000 a year, and has been a member of the Electrical Workers Union for approximately 20 years. He is very religious, attending a Lutheran church each week. He has been divorced for about 5 years, and has 3 children. He gets most of his news from newspapers and occasionally from NBC or CNN.

 Maria is a Latino mother of 2 who just turned 35. She is a lawyer for a large law firm, and makes about $120,000 per year. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, a devout Catholic, and has been married for 5 years. She uses the Internet for her news, pays close attention to several blogs, and occasionally responds herself to the postings she reads.

 Eric is a black male, and a recent college graduate from Penn State in the area of business administration. He is 24, single, and just moved to New York City. He is not religious, and spends a good deal of his free time following sports and spending time out and about in New York City.

 Sophia is a 73 year-old white female, and a grandmother of 6. She is retired from a lifetime as a public school teacher, and receives both a pension and social security. She and her husband live in a retirement community in Vermont, and attend their Methodist church every Sunday. She listens to NPR and watches PBS in order to stay current with the news.