Political Participation in the USA

Political Participation Aims: *US citizens can participate in many ways in a Presidential election. US citizens can vote for different types of representatives. US citizens can vote for different types of representatives.

Voting for a Candidate Join a political party Vote in a state primary Attend the National Convention for your party Campaign for a political party Fundraise for your party

Voting At Elections Americans have many opportunities to vote and stand as a candidate in elections: Federal Level-President, Senators, Congressmen/women State Level-Assembly, Senate, Governor Local Level-Mayor, Sheriff, Dog Catcher A single voter may be able to vote for up to thirty officials and representatives at one election.

Propositions Voters in a state can be asked to vote on issues. Voters in a state can be asked to vote on issues. If a majority vote yes, the issue becomes state law. If a majority vote yes, the issue becomes state law. A proposition is also known as a REFERENDUM. It can be put on the ballot paper by the state government or if a certain number of voters sign a VOTER INITIATIVE. A proposition is also known as a REFERENDUM. It can be put on the ballot paper by the state government or if a certain number of voters sign a VOTER INITIATIVE.

Voting At Elections Aims: *The reasons why Americans do not participate in US elections.

Voting in the USA In order to vote in US elections you must: Be a US citizen Be a US citizen Be a resident of the state you are planning to register in. Be a resident of the state you are planning to register in. Be 18 years of age Be 18 years of age Be registered to vote – each state has a slightly different registration procedure. Be registered to vote – each state has a slightly different registration procedure. But many Americans do not register to vote. WHY?

Low Voter Registration Complicated registration procedure Complicated registration procedure Voting is a waste of time Voting is a waste of time Difficult to get to registration office in rural areas. Difficult to get to registration office in rural areas. People are happy with the way the government is being run. People are happy with the way the government is being run. Some think there is little difference between the Democrats and Republicans. Some think there is little difference between the Democrats and Republicans.

Low Voter Turnout Too many elections for different posts Too many elections for different posts They have not registered to vote They have not registered to vote Ballot papers can be long and complicated Ballot papers can be long and complicated Ethnic minorities face higher rates of poverty and think there is no point voting Ethnic minorities face higher rates of poverty and think there is no point voting Illegal immigrants do not qualify to vote Illegal immigrants do not qualify to vote Television coverage can affect turnout Television coverage can affect turnout

Interest Groups Interest groups try to persuade politicians to change the law by showing they have great public support for their cause Examples of US Interest Groups: National Rifle Association American Medical Association American Bar Association In the UK we use the name PRESSURE GROUPS.

Class Discussion Imagine you belong to the interest group ‘No Guns – No Crime’. You want the USA to have much stricter gun laws because you believe this causes high levels of crime. What methods could you use to convince politicians and the public to support your cause?

Methods Used By Interest Groups Write to Congressman/woman or Senators. Lobby your Congressman/women or Senator (this means get them to support your cause). Write to newspapers Contribute to a website Take part in a protest or demonstration Sign a petition Pay for TV adverts

Methods Used By Interest Groups Using the information on page 27 of the Ideologies Book draw a detailed spider diagram of the methods used by interest groups.

Rights and Responsibilities in Political Activities RightsResponsibilities Right to vote in elections e.g. for their President. Responsibility to register and vote in elections. Right to join a political party e.g. Democrats and Republican Party Right to stand for election as a candidate e.g. for President, Senator, Mayor Right to freedom of speech e.g. join an interest group and protest about an issue

Rights and Responsibilities Study the handout ‘Rights and Responsibilities in the USA’. For each right identify an appropriate responsibility which goes with that right.

Rights and Responsibilities Freedom of speech…responsibility not to slander (lie) or make sexist or racist remarks. Freedom of the media…..responsibility to respect the privacy of individuals and not to libel (lie). Right of Assembly……responsibility to protest peacefully without violence or intimidation. Right to Vote……responsibility to use their vote and accept their elected representatives.

Rights and Responsibilities Right to hold public office…responsibility to campaign legally and act honestly in office Right to bear arms…..responsibility to keep the gun safely and only use it in self-defence Right to a fair trial……responsibility to obey the law and serve on a jury if called to.