200 likes | 502 Vues
Chapter 8: Political Participation. Voting Nonvoting Methods of Participation. Political Participation. Various ways in which people take part in politics and government: Voting Party affiliation Donating money to campaigns Keeping informed of issues Debating/Discussing issues
E N D
Chapter 8: Political Participation Voting Nonvoting Methods of Participation
Political Participation • Various ways in which people take part in politics and government: • Voting • Party affiliation • Donating money to campaigns • Keeping informed of issues • Debating/Discussing issues • Protesting • Contacting local officials
Nonvoting • VAP (Voting Age Population - Citizens18 years of age • VEP (Voting Eligible Population) - Citizens 18 years of age - EXCLUDES those who are legally not allowed to vote - convicted felons, noncitizens 2008 VAP = 231 million, voter turnout 56.8% 2008 VEP = 213 million, voter turnout 61.7% Presidential election voter turnout = roughly 50% (just under)
Nonvoting • In partners, analyze the data charts focusing on nonvoters. • Evaluate and develop 1 CUMMULATIVE observation for each section of nonvoter data • SHARE OUT/Discuss!
Nonvoting Trends Percent Registered/Voted PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION • Ages 18 – 20 register and vote the LEAST • Lower levels of education and low income vote the LEAST
Nonvoting TrendsWHYYYY??! Three-Quarters (75%) of nonvoters said….. - Busy - Scheduling conflicts (work/school) 12% of nonvoters said… - Family chores/obligations 12% of nonvoters said… - Believe their vote wouldn’t make a difference
Attempts to Increase Voting • Poll booth times (early AM – late PM) • Mail in ballots (day prior) • Absentee ballot • Motor-voter law : allow voters to register upon receiving driver’s license • Same day registration • GOTV (Get-Out-the-Vote)Drive • door-to –door visits, phone calls = most effective • leaflets, email, mail, radio ads
Attempts to Increase Voting ** Although the number of registered voters has gone up significantly since the motor-voter law, voter turnout has NOT increased! Even “social pressure”/media/celebrity influence…. 62% of pressured nonvoters DID NOT vote in 2008
Decline of U.S. Voter Turnout Since 1960, voter turnout has declined in EVERY presidential election. • WHY?! • Each student will be assigned a reading section of Richard W. Boyd (Wesleyan University) * READ and HIGHLIGHT/IDENTIFY the reasons along with a brief explanation of each
Decline of U.S. Voter Turnout Warm-Up: What were the various reasons and explanations from the article? 1. ** CHANGING BIRTH RATES Postwar baby boom = largest voting group currently 2. ** CHANGING AGE DISTRIBUTION 26th amendment = young voters (nonvoters) 3. ** COMPLEX ELECTIONS There are too many elections for Americans to partake in 4.** SCHEDULED ELECTIONS Staggered elections = requires more attention of voters 5.** PRIMARIES Requires affiliation, is one more election, requires attention of voters
Voting Analyze the 2012 presidential election exit poll and develop voting trend observations 2012 EXIT POLL DATA
Voting Trends • Ages 65+ register and vote the MOST • Higher educated vote the MOST • Higher incomes vote the MOST
Voting Trends Gap between voter turnout in presidential elections and midterm elections • “Staggered” schedule of midterm elections v. general election ** general election =1 day of voting (easier) • Structure of voter impact ** general election = reelection or new president (easy to understand) ** midterm election = new/partial congress (confusing and lack of feeling a difference) • More campaigning & high profile in general election • More value in presidential election ** lack of confidence in congressional leaders • Electoral college v. midterm popular vote ** pressure that every vote counts = influential?
Barriers to Voting(historical) • Literacy Tests - illiterate and uneducated kept from voting - former slaves were uneducated • Poll Taxes - poor persons were kept from voting - former slaves were poor • Grandfather Clause - voting allowed for those whose grandfather was able to vote prior to 1867 - allowed poor whites to vote • White Primary - kept blacks from voting in the state primaries (in the south)
Barriers to Voting(current) • Voting Rights Act 1965 - 2013 S.C. ruling in which the federal government NO LONGER has to approve state voting laws • Demographics - areas of poverty and lack of resources Do you think that state voting regulations, such as voter ID laws, negatively impact the eldery, poor, and uneducated?