1. Jeff Jacoby Voting by Mail Michael Milburn Psychology 335

2. Jacoby’s Arguments People are ignorant, uninformed Democracy better if not everyone votes Public are like this because of personal failings

3. Questions Why are people ignorant? Consider Attribution Theory Internal (personality) vs. External (situational) influences What are potential situational factors? Some possibilities: –Schools –Access to information –Economic opportunity Allowing/encouraging these people to vote might result in changing these policies that influence ignorance level To understand this requires a situational perspective on public opinion

4. Debate over current public policy issues reflects the same debate that has been occurring about the nature of the “public” for centuries A situational perspective on public opinion is crucial for understanding adequate responses to policy issues Colbert