1. Elections and Voting Behavior
Chapter 10

2. How American Elections Work
Three types of elections:
Select party nominees (primary elections; take place in spring)
Select officeholders (general elections; takes place in Nov.)
Select options on specific policies (special elections)

3. Special Elections & Ballot Measures
Referendum:
State voters approve or disapprove proposed legislation.
Often used for constitutional amendments.
Initiative petition:
Voters in some states propose legislation to be voted on.
Requires a specific number of signatures to be valid.
Can still be voted down by the people.

4. The Expansion of Suffrage
Suffrage or franchise is the right to vote
It has been expanded throughout US history
Today nearly all Americans over the age of 18 can vote in elections

5. The Expansion of Suffrage
15th Amendment (1870) granted suffrage to African Americans (and other non-whites)
19th Amendment (1920) granted suffrage to women
26th Amendment (1971) set the minimum voting age at 18 (from 21)

6. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice
Deciding Whether to Vote
U.S. typically has low voter turnouts—historically around 50% in most presidential elections.
Some argue it is a rational choice to not vote.

7. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice
The Decline of Turnout: (Figure 10.2)

8. Whether to Vote: Registration
49 states require registration—officially signing up to vote.
Registration procedures differ from state to state.
Registration requirements reduce turnout
It requires voters to register well in advance of the election day.
Motor Voter Act: Requires states to permit people to register to vote when they apply for their driver’s license.

9. Other reasons cited for not voting…
Some believe there is little ideological difference between the two parties’ candidates
They believe one vote among millions cast doesn’t matter
They are unable to leave work on a Tuesday to vote

10. Some reasons people are more likely to vote…
They perceive an ideological difference between candidates
They have a sense of political efficacy—they believe their vote makes a difference
The want to perform their civic duty in a democracy

11. Predict who is likely to vote
Gender
Race (Caucasian, Latino, African American)
Age
Education
Religion (pick three)
Income
Urban or rural

12. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice
Who Votes?
Education: More education = more likely to vote. Most important factor.
Age: Older = more likely to vote.
Race: Caucasian = more likely to vote. BUT, other ethnicities are higher with comparable education.
Gender: Female = more likely to vote.

13. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice
Who Votes? (continued)
Marital Status: Married = more likely to vote.
Union Membership: Union member = more likely to vote.
Traits are cumulative - possessing several adds up.

14. Voter Reforms
Studies show that if turnout increases among groups with low rates, Democrats would probably receive more votes
Republicans are unlikely to support reforms that would cost them this advantage

15. Whether to Vote: A Citizen’s First Choice

16. Who Votes How? Republicans Democrats
Upper income, evangelical Christians, conservative religious, Cuban Americans
Democrats
African Americans, Jews, women, Latinos

17. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizens’ Decisions
Mandate Theory of Elections
The idea that the winning candidate has a mandate from the people to carry out his or her platforms and politics.
Politicians like the theory better than political scientists do.

18. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizen's Decisions
1. Party Identification
People generally vote for the party they agree with.
They don’t have to become informed about every issue
This trend is declining as parties have lost some significance in the political process (with rise of Independents)

19. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizen’s Decisions

20. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizen's Decisions
2. Candidate’s Personalities
A candidate’s appearance may play an unconscious role in decision-making
People tend to value integrity, reliability, and competence.
Voters with college education are more likely to base their decision on personality

21. How Americans Vote: Explaining Citizen's Decisions
3. Policy Preferences
People vote for candidates who share their policy preferences.
Must know where they and the candidates stand on issues and see differences between candidates.
Candidates can be ambiguous on the issues.
Today candidates are forced to take a clear stand in the party primaries.
Retrospective Voting: choosing a candidate who vows to continue policies helpful to him/her

22. The Last Battle: The Electoral College
Electoral College actually elects the President - founders wanted president chosen by the elite of the country
States choose the electors
Winner-Take-All system gives bigger emphasis to more populated states and swing states during campaign

23. The Last Battle: The Electoral College
How it works today:
Each state has as many votes as it does Representatives and Senators.
Winner of popular vote typically gets ALL the Electoral College votes.
Electors meet in December, votes are reported by the vice president in January.
If no candidate gets 270 votes (a majority), the House of Representatives votes for president, with each state getting ONE vote.

24. Electoral College: Winner Take All
48 states are winner-take-all
If Candidate A gets 51% and Candidate B gets 49% of vote, Candidate A gets all electoral votes
In Oregon, A=7 B=0

25. Electoral College: Maine and Nebraska
Separate vote by House district
Popular vote winner in each district gets the electoral vote
Winner of state popular vote gets final 2 electoral votes
(show map

26. 2000 Election
Illustrates a key weakness to the Electoral College—winner of popular vote can lose in the E.C.
Bush won more small states which are overrepresented in E.C.
Gore won more populous states—they are underrepresented in E.C.
Overall popular vote was close

27. The Last Battle: The Electoral College

28. Should the Electoral College be Reformed?
Think-Pair-Share Activity
Make a list of the greatest benefits and greatest weaknesses of the Electoral College system (3 of each…at least)
Should the system be reformed? How? Defend your answer.

29. Evaluating the E.C. Weaknesses
Doesn’t always represent the popular vote totals
Small states overrepresented / large states underrepresented
Faithless electors
Deflates voter turnout
Campaigns ignore some states
Strengths
Winner-Take-All system provides a clear victor
Clear, Quick results
Traditional system / known quantity
Reduced risk of fraud

30. Understanding Elections and Voting Behavior
Democracy and Elections
Voters can steer government only when there are noticeable policy differences between the candidates.
Candidates who vow to continue popular policies are more likely to win elections.
Policies affect voting behavior through retrospective voting.
Bad economies make politicians nervous.