1. Why People vote Suffering through Suffrage

2. Clearly Stated Learning Objectives Examine the 2008 Election in the broader context of American electoral history Analyze the theories of why people vote and apply them to the 2008 Election. Identify and describe the formal and informal institutions involved in the electoral process at the Presidential levels

3. AGE

4. Young Voters About Young Voters Young voters in 2004

5. Young Voters in 2008 2-1 For Obama Why What about other Age Groups

6. Age and Vote 2008

7. INCOME AND EDUCATION

8. Social Class Not a very Important Distinction Democrats do well at both ends

10. Education Education is correlated with income. There once was a linear relationship with voting Republican Many cross-cutting factors at play- for one everybody has a High School Degree!

11. Education and Vote

12. Education in 2008 A curvilinear relationship Obama Does well with both ends of the education spectrum

13. RELIGION

14. Religion in America Americans are very religious in affiliation and action Religion has changed in America – More Religions – More Politically Active Religions

15. Identification vs. Behavior Being a member of a Religion is not an accurate predictor of vote choice Religious activity is a much better predictor

16. Church Attendance and Vote

17. Who you are Jewish voters Catholics

18. Vote By Religion- 2008

19. Protestants Evangelicals Mainline

21. REGION It is not what it used to be

22. The Solid South A key component of the Roosevelt coalition – 11 states of the Confederacy Provided 52% of necessary votes for Wilson in 1916 47% of the necessary votes for victory in 1932 31% of Kennedy’s vote in 1960 43.7% for Jimmy Carter in 1976 – Crucial for Opportunity Costs for Democratic Candidates

23. Why the South Used to be more important Shared the characteristics of an important group – Large – Reliable The GOP Southern Strategy changes this

24. The Shift in the South 56.6% of Bush’s necessary votes in 2008 Only 1 Non-southern Democratic Candidate from 1948-2008 won election Obama Mobilizes African American Voters in large states (FL, NC, VA)

25. Why Region is not as Important Mobility National exposure of the Media Region is an intervening variable, as primary factors really push vote

26. Region in 2008

27. Cities and Suburbs Urban areas and Rural Areas America is becoming less rural Obama dominates cities, and wins the burbs

28. Where We live

29. Gender and Marriage The Gender Gap Why?

30. Gender in 2008

31. Marriage Married People vote Republican Singles vote Democratic

32. Marital Status

33. Decline of Security Moms