1. Chapter 8: Political Participation

2. The American Electorate
In 1993, Congress made registering to vote easier when they passed the motor-voter law allowing people to register when they applied for driver’s licenses.

3. The American Electorate
From State to Federal Control
Historical White Dominance
Literacy tests
Poll tax
Grandfather clause exempted all people who voted before 1867.
The white primary finally fell in 1944.

4. The American Electorate
From State to Federal Control
Federal voter registrars and poll watchers may be sent into areas where less than 50% of the voting-age population participates in presidential elections.

5. The American Electorate
Voter Turnout
In the 1890s, states began adopting the Australian ballot.
Australian ballots are government printed ballots of a uniform measure that are cast in secret; this was to prevent voting fraud.

6. The American Electorate
Voter Turnout
Voting terminology
VAP: voting-age population
VEP: voting-eligible population

7. Who Participates in Politics?
Participant Types
Inactives make up about one-fifth of the US voting population.
Activists make up 11% of the population (or 1/9th)

8. Who Participates in Politics?
Participant Types
The Middle
Voting Specialists
Vote and do nothing else.
Income and education tend to be lower.
Tend to be older than the average voter is.

9. Who Participates in Politics?
Participant Types
The Middle
Campaigners
They vote but also get involved in campaigns.
Better educated.
Have strong positions.
Clear party identification.

10. Who Participates in Politics?
Participant Types
The Middle
Communalists
Tend to focus on community activities.
Tend to be non-partisan.
Community garden project in Oakland, Ca.

11. Who Participates in Politics?
Participant Types
The Middle
Parochial Participants
Do not vote.
Will contact local officials about problems.

12. Who Participates in Politics?
Participation
Education, particularly those who have gone to college, is a major determinant for voters.
Employed are more likely to vote than the unemployed.

13. Who Participates in Politics?
Participation
Whites and blacks vote more than Hispanics.
Religion does not appear to boost political participation.