1. Why do some Americans not participate in politics? S3 Modern Studies

2. Need to know Some groups in America participate more than others The reasons for this

3. Turnout at US elections “Voter turnout” = % of people eligible to vote who actually voted Average turnout in USA is often low compared to UK Turnout among ethnic minorities is even lower E.g. 2004 Presidential Election Turnout –Average: 60.7% –White: 60% –Black: 56% –Hispanic: 28%

4. What influences turnout? Education –higher level of education = more likely to vote Employment –employed people vote more than unemployed Age –18-24s vote less than over 24s Type & frequency of election –Some states have frequent elections – puts people off –Turnout is higher in Presidential election years Ethnic origin –EM participation is lower than Whites

5. Reasons for lower ethnic minority participation Lack of Education = harder to understand political issues = less likely to take an interest –Voting process + ballot paper can be confusingballot paper –average education level of Blacks + Hispanics is lower than Whites Lack of EM candidates –EMs are under-represented at all levels of gov’t –Might feel that White candidates don’t understand the needs of EMs –puts off some voters

6. Apathy –Some voters are apathetic = not interested in politics –Many EMs have poor life chances (e.g. poverty, unemployment, bad housing) –Do not believe gov’t will improve their lives => no point in participating Language barrier (Hispanics) –Most campaigning, media coverage and gov’t docs are in English –Non-English speakers might not understand or feel excluded –E.g. many Hispanics speak Spanish as 1 st language

7. Did not register to vote –Americans must register weeks in advance –Registration is voluntary NOT automatic => have to be motivated to do it –Registration is lower among EMs due to education, apathy, lack of faith in politicians…