1. Elections and Voting Behavior

2. Three types of elections
Primaries
General Elections
Specific policy questions

3. Policy questions
Not done on a nationwide level, but in some countries it is (Brexit?)
State level
Referendum – voters approve or disapprove of a proposed piece of legislation or amendment
Initiative Petition
Some states
Voters can put proposed changes in state constitution if they get enough signatures (10%) (112,544 in NV)
Proposition 209 – ended affirmative action programs in CA
Marijuana legalization in NV

4. Legitimacy
Voters in the U.S. generally see elections as legitimate and accept the results

5. Voting Suffrage Who could vote at the time of the country’s founding
Who can vote now?
Who can’t?
13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 24th, 26th Amendments
As the right to vote has been extended, fewer people eligible to vote have chosen to vote

6. Deciding whether to vote
Is it worth your time?
Should voting day be changed?
Downs Model
People vote if they believe one party’s policies will benefit them more than another party’s
Political Efficacy
Belief that your vote matters and makes a difference

7. Registering to vote Initially begun as a way to stop ballot- stuffing
You have to register to vote in almost all states
Other countries?
Does this affect voter turnout?
Motor Voter Act -1993
Check a box at DMV
Hasn’t significantly increased voter turnout

8. Who Votes? Education Age Race Gender Religion Marital Status
Government Employment

9. How we vote Mandate Theory Party Identification
Who supports this theory?
Political scientists are skeptical
Party Identification
How we see the candidates
Integrity, reliability, and competence
Also dependability and decisiveness
Studies

10. Policy Voting Choices based on where candidates stand on the issues
Four conditions
Must have clear view of own policy position
Know where candidates stand on issues
See differences between the candidates
Actually cast a vote