1. The Nonvoting Problem? Alleged problem: low voter turnout in U.S. compared to Europe But perhaps not as much of a problem as we think Real problem is low voter registration rates Remember, voting is not the only method of participation

2. Change in Control States initially decided who could vote and for which offices Through various laws and constitutional amendments, Congress has reduced state prerogatives 15 th Amendment (1870) “Grandfather Clause” declared unconstitutional 1915 19 th Amendment (1920) 23 rd Amendment (1961) Voting Rights Act of 1965 26 th Amendment (1971) National standards now govern most aspects of voter eligibility

3. Voter Turnout Two theories regarding declining percentages of eligible adults who vote Real decline caused by lessening popular interest and decreasing party mobilization Apparent decline caused by more honest ballot counts Several causes probably contribute to a real decline More difficult registration No uniform national voting system Calculation of turnout