Political Participation & Voting Rights in America

Political Participation and Awareness in America

• Data is from The National Election Studies Guide to Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior, University of Michigan.
• The data presents the percentage of Americans who engage in various forms of political participation.

General Eligibility Requirements for Voters Today

• Voters must be 18 years old and a citizen of the United States.
• Voters must be a resident of the state (typically a year in the state, 60 or 90 days in the county, and 30 days in the local precinct).
• Historically, voting eligibility was restricted to 21-year-old white, male property owners.

Amendments Expanding Voting Rights

• The 19th Amendment (1920) gave women the right to vote.
• The 15th Amendment gave the right to vote for all minorities.
• The 24th Amendment (1964) eliminated the poll tax.
• The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18.

Factors Influencing Political Beliefs

• Political socialization is the process by which people acquire their political beliefs.
• Family is the strongest factor, with a fairly equal influence from both parents.
• Schools impart basic values like civic duty and patriotism.
• High school government classes generally do not change students' political views.
• College tends to make individuals more liberal than the general population.
• Protestants are generally more conservative.
• Catholics are traditionally more liberal, though conservative on issues like abortion and gay rights but, the majority voted for Obama in ‘08.
• Jewish individuals typically have a liberal influence and strongly support Democrats.
• Whites tend to be more conservative and support the Republican Party.
• Blacks tend to be more liberal and strongly support the Democratic Party, often exceeding 90%.
• Hispanics: Mexican/Puerto Ricans, tend to be more liberal and support the Democratic Party, while Cubans are opposite.
• Asians tend to be more conservative, but have voted Democratic in presidential elections.
• Higher income individuals tend to be more conservative and support the Republican Party.
• Lower income individuals tend to be more liberal and support the Democratic Party.
• Women are more likely to vote Democrat than men, with 54% voting for Clinton.

Voter Turnout

• Historical qualifications of suffrage (voting) like religion and property have been eliminated by state legislatures.
• Race was eliminated by the 15th Amendment.
• Sex was eliminated by the 19th Amendment.
• Income was addressed by the 24th Amendment and the abolishment of poll taxes.
• Literacy was addressed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• The minimum voting age of 18 was set by the 26th Amendment.
• U.S. voter turnout rates are generally lower compared to other industrialized nations.
• Turnout decline since 1960.
• U.S. turnout is about 50% in presidential elections and 30-40% in midterm congressional elections, and is even lower in state/local elections.
• Comparable industrialized nations in the West have much higher turnout rates, as high as 90%.
• The U.S. does not impose penalties for not voting, unlike some other nations.
• Other nations may have multi-party systems, offering more choices for voters.
• Some nations have automatic or same-day registration.

Support by Voter Demographic

• Total percentage of Trump voters was 43% and Biden voters was 53%.

Reasons for Low Voter Turnout

• Registration requirements can be a barrier, and easing or eliminating them could help.
• The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Bill) was designed to increase voter turnout.
• Young people have the lowest turnout.
• Lack of political efficacy (effectiveness) contributes to low turnout.
• Dissatisfaction with political candidates, parties, and politics in general also play a role.
• Weakness of parties in mobilizing voters also contributes.
• Presidential elections generally have much higher turnout than midterm elections.
• "Cannot-voters" consists of resident aliens, those who are ill or mentally/physically disabled, those traveling, jailed, religious objectors, and those under "informal" local pressure.
• Complacency, where people believe that the outcome will stay the same regardless of who wins, can reduce turnout.
• Apathy consists of people who don't care and have a lack of interest or are uninformed about the candidates and issues.
• Other factors include inconvenient registration requirements, long ballots, long lines at polling places, and even bad weather.

Factors Affecting Voters

• Solid South leans Republican.
• Great Plains has a Republican trend.
• Rocky Mountain region skews Republican.
• New England is traditionally Republican but becoming Democratic in recent years.
• Great Lakes is a Democratic trend.
• Far West has a Democratic trend.
• Long term change in political alignment.
• Party in power loses seats in every midterm election since 1938 (except 1998 and 2002).
• Political party affiliation is the strongest predictor of voting behavior.
• Straight ticket voting (voting along party lines) is in decline over recent years.
• Split ticket voting (voting for candidates from different parties) is increasing in recent years.
• Some party members are "strong" while others are considered "weak".
• Independents are rising by 1/3, signaling a decline in 2-party membership.
• Retrospective voting involves looking back to see if things are better.
• Prospective involves looking at candidates' views and intended actions if elected.

Voter Qualifications

• The Constitution eliminates certain specific voting restrictions, like race, but voting requirements are determined by the states.
• Voters must be a resident of the USA or CA and 18 years of age or older as of the day of the next election.
• Voters must not currently be serving a state of federal prison term for the conviction of a felony.
• Voters must not be currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.
• The Motor Voter Law allows all eligible citizens to register to vote when applying for or renewing their driver's license.
• It provides for voter registration by mail.
• Registration forms are available at the local offices of State employment, welfare, and other social service agencies.

Voting Behaviour

• Includes images.

Presidential Elections Have Higher Turnout Than Midterms

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Voters

• The image includes the share of voters from 1960-2000 voters, non-voters, republicans and democrats.

Australian Ballot

• It was the first country to introduce secrecy to the ballot.
• It is printed at public expense.
• It lists the names of all candidates in an election
• It is given out only at the polls, one to each qualified voter.
• It is marked in secret.
• A secret ballot is important to prevent voter intimidation.

Characteristics of Voters

• Typically voters have higher levels of income and education.
• Voters tend to be long time residents of an area and believe that voting is an important act.
• Voters now are more likely to be women than men.
• Typically not voters are younger than 35.
• Not voters tend to be unmarried and unskilled workers.
• Non voters typically live in rural communities and the south.

How To Vote

• Determine if you are eligible to vote as an American citizen, at least 18 years and a resident.
• Get a registration form online, at the post office, or at the DMV.
• The deadline to register is 15 days before the election.
• After registering an election packet will be sent with information.
• Polling is open from 7am to 8pm.
• They will aks for name and address when voting.
• After voting, those who voted can choose paper or electronic ballot.
• People can ask for help.
• Don't for get "I VOTED" sticker.

Two Party System

• Party identification- Loyalty of people to a particular party.
• Straight-ticket voting- The practice of voting for the candidates only one party in an election.
• Split-ticket voting- The practice of voting for candidates of more than one party in an election.
• Independents- Identify those people who have no party affiliation.