1. [ 10.3 ] Voting Trends

2. [ 10.3 ] Voting Trends Learning Objectives Key Terms
Examine the problem of nonvoting in the United States
Identify the reasons why some people do not vote and compare these attitudes to those of voters.
Recognize the sources of information about voter behavior.
Understand the factors that influence an individual's political attitudes and actions, including voting and voter behavior.
Key Terms
Off-year elections
ballot fatigue.
political efficacy.
Political socialization
Barack Obama
gender gap
Ronald Reagan
George H.W. Bush
Bill Clinton
party identification
straight-ticket voting.
split-ticket voting
independents.

3. Voter Turnout in the United States
What were the choices in this election?
Vote for Trump
Vote for Clinton
Vote for Johnson
Vote for Stein
Write in
Vote against Trump
Vote Against Clinton
Etc.
Don’t Vote

4. Voter Turnout in U.S. Elections Voter turnout in 2016 54%
Voter Turnout in the United States Compared to other developed Countries
Voter Turnout in U.S. Elections
Voter turnout in %
Nonvoting voters
74% of the population is voting age
Primaries vs. generals
Ballot fatigue
Off year elections
In the United States, only 54 percent of eligible voters aged 18–24—are registered to vote. In this photo, young volunteers work to get out the youth vote in 2012.

5. Why People Do Not Vote
Why so many nonvoters? Why, even in a presidential election, do as many as half of those who could vote stay away from the polls?

6. Why People Do Not Vote TWPS p. 442 col.2, par. 1-4
“Cannot-Voters”
Which portion of the population is ineligible to vote?
Resident aliens million
sick, disabled – 2-3 million
Unexpected travel/emergencies – 1-2 million
Felons – 3 million
Religion – 1 million
Victims of voting laws (remember pre-clearance?) ???
Actual Nonvoters – Those who can, but do not vote
Approximately 74 million in 2012….Why not?
TWPS p. 442 col.2, par. 1-4
How would you explain non-voters in 2016?
What is Political Efficacy? How might it have affected turnout this year?

7. Reasons for not voting in the 2012 election
Why People Do Not Vote: other reasons
Time-Zone Fallout
Bad weather
Long lines/time/inconvenient
Registration hassle
Negative Campaigns
443, col. 1, par. 3
Reasons for not voting in the 2012 election

8. Comparing Voters and Nonvoters TPS
Most likely? Least Likely?
Wealthy
Educated
Strong Party Identification
Young
Single
Uneducated
men

9. Sociological Factors
Voter preferences can’t be predicted by just one sociological factor. Voter opinion is a combination of all of these factors and more.

10. Sociological Factors and Political Attitudes
This exit poll categorizes voters based on income and education. Analyze Charts According to the text, did the actual vote reflect this preliminary data? Explain.

11. Sociological Factors and Political Attitudes
Voters in urban areas tend to vote Democratic, even in States like Texas that vote overwhelmingly Republican. Analyze Maps What factors might influence urban versus rural voting patterns?

12. Psychological Factors
Voters’ perceptions of their party, the candidates, and the issues
significantly affects their voting.
Party Identification
The loyalty of people to a particular political party…most often instilled by one’s family, is the single most significant and lasting predictor of how a person will vote.
Candidates and Issues
Candidates and issues are two short-term factors that can influence even the most loyal Democrat or Republican. People may vote out of their chosen party if they dislike a candidate or the party’s stand on a particular issue. 1 2 3
Chapter 6, Section 4

13. Psychological Factors and Political Attitudes
Family is a big factor in how a person tends to vote. Statistics show that this baby will likely vote Democratic upon turning 18.

14. Psychological Factors
A Growing Divide?? NPR 1 2 3
Chapter 6, Section 4

15. Psychological Factors
PEW Research Poll 1 2 3
Chapter 6, Section 4

16. Psychological Factors

17. Web Quest
Explain this election from the sociological and Psychological viewpoints.
Why Did Trump Win? Why did Clinton Lose?
Sociological factors
Psychological factors

18. Quiz: Voter Turnout in the United States
Which of the following is TRUE about off-year elections?
A. Off-year elections are presidential elections.
B. Voter turnout is lower for off-year elections.
C. Off-year elections are held in odd-numbered years.
D. Voter turnout is higher for off-year elections.

19. Quiz: Why People Do Not Vote
Which of the following BEST describes the impact that length of residency in a community has on voter turnout?
A. The longer eligible voters live in a community, the less likely they are to vote.
B. The less time eligible voters have lived in a community, the more likely they are to vote.
C. The less time eligible voters have lived in a community, the less likely they are to vote.
D. The length of residency has no impact on voter turnout.

20. Quiz: Influences on Voters and Voting Behavior
Which of the following is an example of a psychological factor that can influence how voters cast their ballots?
A. college education
B. acquaintances
C. religious affiliation
D. stance on healthcare

21. Quiz: Sociological Factors and Political Attitudes
The percentage of African Americans living in the South dropped from almost 90 percent in 1910 to 53 percent in 1970, as many migrated northward. What impact might this have had on voting in the North?
A. It would have strengthened the Democratic Party in the South.
B. It would have weakened the Democratic party.
C. It would have strengthened the Democratic Party in the North.
D. It would have increased the numbers of white voters in the South.

22. Quiz: Psychological Factors and Political Attitudes
Which is a short-term factor that can influence how a person votes?
A. the particular candidates running for election
B. party identification
C. family influence
D. the level of a voter's education and income