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Questions and Answers
What is the most common form of political participation in the US?
Which type of political participation occurs least frequently in the US?
Which of the following types of political participation has a frequency closest to 20%?
What percentage of people in the US participate in attending public meetings?
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Which political participation activity has a higher frequency than contributing resources but lower than attending public meetings?
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What was one major impact of the Shelby County v. Holder decision on the Voting Rights Act?
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Why did the court declare section 4 of the Voting Rights Act unconstitutional?
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What actions did Texas take immediately following the Shelby County v. Holder ruling?
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How did Justice Ginsburg view the impact of the Shelby County v. Holder decision on future voting rights?
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What rationale did the Supreme Court provide to support Alabama's demands in 2013 regarding the Voting Rights Act?
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What does the court's decision imply about the possibility of Congress passing a new Voting Rights Act?
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What significant change did the Shelby County v. Holder decision bring to the mechanism of federal oversight in voting laws?
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Prior to 2011, how many states required photo identification for voting?
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Study Notes
Political Participation in the US
- Political participation in the US encompasses a wide range of activities, from voting to engaging in activism.
- The most common forms of participation include voting (50%), discussing politics (35%), and joining civic or political organizations (33%).
- Less common forms include attending public meetings (25%), contacting representatives (20%), donating resources (13%), campaigning (5%), and initiating or revealing laws (no percentage provided).
Shelby County v. Holder
- The Supreme Court declared Section 4 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, eliminating the requirement for "covered states" to obtain preclearance for any changes to voting laws.
- The Court argued that the VRA's coverage formula, based on past discriminatory practices, was outdated and infringed on states' rights under the 10th Amendment.
- Justice Ginsburg dissented, expressing concern that the decision would lead to voter suppression and a return to discriminatory voting practices.
Impact of Shelby County v. Holder
- The decision removed the requirement for preclearance, effectively eliminating Section 5 of the VRA.
- This allowed states previously subject to preclearance to implement voting changes without federal oversight.
- Texas, previously a "covered state," immediately enacted two voting-related laws: a voter ID law and a redistricting plan.
Voter ID Laws
- Voter ID laws require voters to present photo identification at the polls.
- Prior to 2011, only two states had voter ID requirements, but since then, many states have attempted to pass such laws.
- The implementation and enforcement of voter ID laws vary significantly across states, with some states having strict requirements and others allowing exceptions.
### The Rationale Behind the VRA & Alabama's Demands
- The VRA was originally enacted to address widespread voter discrimination against African Americans in the South.
- The Court's decision to uphold Alabama's demands in 2013 was based on the argument that the VRA had become outdated and that Section 4 was no longer necessary.
- The Court characterized the VRA as an extraordinary measure for an extraordinary problem that had been addressed by the state's progress in racial equality.
### Possible New VRA and Section 4
- The Court in Shelby County v. Holder suggested that Congress could draft a new coverage formula (a new Section 4) based on current conditions.
- However, it is considered highly unlikely that a revised Section 4 will be enacted due to partisan divisions and the difficulty in defining a new formula.
### The 2012 Presidential Election & Voter ID Laws
- During the 2012 presidential election, Democratic candidates generally opposed voter ID laws, while Republican candidates generally supported them.
- The relative positions of each party towards voter ID laws are a reflection of the broader debate on voter accessibility and election integrity.
### Questioning Voter ID Law Costs
- The purported implementation costs of voter ID laws should be viewed critically.
- The source of the cost data and the methods used to calculate it should be scrutinized, particularly when considering claims made by political groups.
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Description
This quiz explores the various forms of political participation in the United States, including voting, activism, and engagement in civic organizations. Participants will learn about the prevalence of these activities and their impact on democratic processes. Understand the ways citizens contribute to political life beyond just casting ballots.
