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POL S 354: Elections & Voting in U.S.

This report analyzes voter participation trends in U.S. elections, focusing on how income, race, and gender influence electoral engagement. Based on data from the 1995 study "Voice and Equality," it highlights disparities in voting behaviors and political contributions among different income groups, racial/ethnic demographics, and genders. Key findings reveal significant differences in participation rates, fundraising abilities, and overall political involvement. The implications of these trends on democracy and policy-making are critically assessed, offering insights into how to improve inclusiveness in political processes.

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POL S 354: Elections & Voting in U.S.

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  1. POL S 354: Elections & Voting in U.S. “Who Participates? Income, Race, Gender” Week 2: April 6, 2006

  2. Voting and Election News… In the news April 4 – 6, 2006: 1. House limits 527/PAC campaign donations… limited non-profits 2. Senate has compromise on Immig. Policy. – Citizenship for all? 3 tier system. 5 yrs or more / 2-5 yrs / less than 2 yrs 3. Mike McGavick – potential US Senate candidate (Rep) was in Alaska attending fundraiser – supports drilling in ANWAR

  3. Economic Circumstances • Why should we consider economic circumstances and needs? • Other possible measures besides family income? Or is this the best? • Household size (wage earners) • Household size (dependents) / expenditures

  4. Political Participation by Income Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  5. Comparing High/Low Income Action < $15,000 $75,000 + Voting 52% 86% Campaign work 4% 17% Contributions 6% 56% Contact 25% 50% Protest 3% 7% Informal Comm. 13% 38% Affiliated Pol. Org. 29% 73% Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  6. Do rich have too much influence Percent Percent Action < $15,000 $75,000 + General Population 13% 9% Voting 14% 11% Campaign work 13% 18% Contributions 02% 55% Contact 12% 14% Protest 12% 12% Church work 18% 10% Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  7. Economic Circumstances • In addition to simply having more money to donate, why would we expect higher income people to contribute more? • If you are the chief fundraiser for a political candidate, how would you try to raise money?

  8. Being asked to contribute Percent Percent Action < $15,000 $75,000 + Receive Political Mail 51% 88% Contribute to Political causes 8% 23% Amount given $32 $263 Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  9. Economic needs • Can also measure economic circumstances through financial need or use of public benefits:

  10. Race, Ethnicity and Gender • Why should we consider race, ethnicity, and gender with regard to participation? • Which groups to VSB examine and why?

  11. Political Participation by Race Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  12. Comparing Activity by Race Action Wh AA Lat LCit Voting 73% 65% 41% 52% Campaign work 8 12 7 8 Contributions 25 22 11 12 Contact 37 24 14 17 Protest 5 9 4 4 Informal Comm. 17 19 12 14 Affiliated Pol. Org. 52 38 24 27 Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  13. Do whites have too much influence Action White Black Latino General Population 85% 10% 6% Voting 88% 9% 3% Campaign work 75% 20% 5% Contributions 92% 6% 2% Contact 91% 7% 2% Protest 78% 18% 4% Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  14. Participation within the Church Action White Black LatCit Regularly attend 48% 60% 51% Time to church 27% 35% 24% Church contrib. 63% 72% 58% Does church denomination matter? Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  15. Is there a gender gap? • Who participates more, men or women? • VSB find that the gender gap in political activity is very, very small • What caused the gender gap to narrow during the 20th century?

  16. Comparing participation by sex Action Female Male Voting 71% 74% Campaign work 8% 9% Contact 30% 38% Protest 6% 6% Political contrib. 20% 27% Charity contrib. 67% 69% Church contrib. 71% 56% Attend church 55% 43% Source: Verba, Schlozman, Brady, Voice and Equality, 1995

  17. ME OR CT NJ MD MA HI

  18. Percent non-White population

  19. AK FL CO KY IN WV Percent non-White population

  20. Difference between Bush-Kerry vote

  21. AK SD ID WY PA UT NE NM NV HI Difference between Bush-Kerry vote

  22. Taking account for all 3: Income, Race, Competitiveness Combined Index of Income, Race, Competitiveness

  23. How to improve the model • Other variables that we should take into account that explain participation: • Income, Race, Competitiveness • Age distribution • Religious denom. • Education levels • Immigration percentage • Population density / urban vs. rural • Population size / electoral votes • Ballot type / access / voting rules

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