1. Voting Trends

2. Warm Up
In a few sentences, describe the message of this political cartoon.

3. 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)

4. 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?

5. Why People Do Not Vote
Citizens who are in jail or prison, or on parole or probation are not allowed to vote
Noncitizens cannot vote, whether they are documented or undocumented
In 2012, 74 million Americans who could have voted in the presidential election did not

6. Influences on Voter Behavior
Sociological Factors
- Income, occupation, education, gender, age, religion, ethnic background, geography, family, friends, group affiliations.
Psychological Factors
- Party identification, candidates, the issues, personal life experiences.

7. Influences on Voter Behavior
Most voters who have higher incomes 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

8. 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.

9. 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?

10. Influences on Voter Behavior
Muslims and Jews tend to vote for Democrats
Latinos
Cuban Americans, especially older ones, tend to vote for Republicans
Mexican and Puerto Rican Americans tend to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats

11. 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

12. 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?

15. Shifts in Voting Patterns
Southern states such as North Carolina and Arizona 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
Rural areas are becoming less populated, giving them less political power at the ballot box