3. Since the early 1970s, voter participation in the United States has been regularly under 60 percent for presidential elections. What does the cartoon suggest about voter apathy?

4. Nonvoters
Some don’t vote for all of the positions listed on a ballot (called voter fatigue)
The most votes are cast for positions that are more well-known such as President, Senator, or Governor
Off-year elections tend to have lower turnout
Many Americans don’t think that their vote has any real impact on what government does or does not do (this is false)

5. In the United States, 71 percent of all eligible voters—but 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.

6. This graph is based on the U. S. population aged 18 and over
This graph is based on the U.S. population aged 18 and over. What can you conclude about voter turnout in presidential as opposed to off-year elections from this graph?

8. Influences on Voter Behavior
a voter’s personal characteristics
People with higher levels of income, education, and occupational status are more likely to vote
Nonvoters are likely to be younger than age 35, unmarried, and unskilled
a voter’s group affiliations
a voter’s own life experiences

11. Influences on Voter Behavior
Most voters who have higher incomes or live in rural areas tend to vote for Republicans
Most voters who have lower incomes and live in urban areas tend to vote for Democrats
Younger voters tend to be more liberal, while older voters tend to be more conservative
More nonvoters live in the South and in rural areas

12. This exit poll categorizes voters based on income and education
This exit poll categorizes voters based on income and education. According to the text, did the actual vote reflect this preliminary data? Explain.

13. Influences on Voter Behavior: Religion
Muslims and Jews tend to vote for Democrats
Christians
Catholics often do not follow any particular voting patterns
Evangelical Christians overwhelmingly vote for Republicans (called the Religious Right)
Nonreligious voters overwhelmingly vote for Democrats

14. This chart compares voter behavior in 2008 and 2012 based on religious affiliation and race. How did religion and race influence voter choice in these two elections?

15. Influences on Voter Behavior: Race/Ethnicity
Latinos
Cuban Americans, especially older ones, tend to vote for Republicans
Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans tend to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats
African Americans also vote overwhelmingly for Democrats
Asian Americans have trended towards the Democratic Party in recent elections

19. Geographical Patterns
Voters in the big cities of the North and East and on the Pacific Coast tend to support Democrats
Voters in smaller cities, rural areas, the Great Plains, and the South are likely to support Republicans
Suburban communities tend to be highly competitive

20. Voters in urban areas tend to vote Democratic, even in States like Texas that vote overwhelmingly Republican. What factors might influence urban versus rural voting patterns?

21. Shifts in Voting Patterns
Southern states such as North Carolina, Arizona, and Georgia are becoming more competitive
College-educated whites don’t support Republicans as much as they used to
The Sunbelt region is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse due to the New Great Migration and immigration, especially from Asia and Latin America
There are more people who live in the Sunbelt who grew up in the Northeast or Great Lakes regions

23. Shifts in Voting Patterns
Rural areas are becoming less populated, giving them less political power at the ballot box in state elections
More voters are becoming independents (neither Republican nor Democrat)
Among U.S. voters, about 28 percent identify as Republicans, 31 percent as Democrats, and 41 percent as independents
Those who are still partisan are becoming more ideological