1. Voting Patterns of the Electorate Who votes for whom?

2. Who is more likely to go out and vote? Elderly or teenagers? Why? Higher or lower educated? Why? White or minority? Why? Lower or higher income? Why? Suburbs or rural? Why? Unmarried or married? Why? Elderly, more time & more issues Higher, know/aware more on issues White, bigger % of population Higher, want to keep money, usually more edu Suburbs, more $ and more education Married, encourage spouse to vote

3. Most Important Indicator: Why? More Aware, more involved, care about issues, have time/ability to vote, More Education lead to more money!!

4. What issues are important to: Elderly? − Social security, health care & prescription drugs, driving rights, assisted living and nursing home care, fixed income ~ taxes. Women? − Child advocacy, education, safety/security, equal opportunity, abortion, custody & divorce issues, health insurance

5. What issues are important to: Suburbs? − School districts, safety, drugs, property taxes, commercial zoning, roads & sanitation Minorities? − Affirmative action in jobs & college, due process of law, representation, gang influence on children

6. What issues are important to: Less Fortunate? − Welfare, food stamps, health insurance, college assistance, jobs, home ownership 18-24 years old? − College loans, job market, lowering the drinking age, representation, interest rates, health & car insurance

7. What issues are important to: Religious? − Anti-Abortion, Death Penalty, Euthanasia, Prayer in Schools Unions? − Job security, health insurance, retirement planning, worker’s compensation 30-40 years old? − Savings for retirement & children’s future, mortgages, health & life insurance, job security, education,

8. How do politicians pick the issues they campaign on? Politicians focus on issues that are important to people who go out and vote. Call, write a letter or send an email to your representatives and let them know what issues are important to you, the VOTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

9. What is a democrat? a person who believes: in the political or social equality of all people. the government should have a bigger involvement in the lives of every citizen. there should be government funded programs to help those who cannot help themselves. there should be laws and regulations protecting the environment and natural resources.

10. What is a republican? a person who believes: in true capitalism, where the people own business, earn as much as they want, with little government involvement. people need to take care of themselves and not rely heavily on government involvement. in the sanctity of marriage, innocent life, and strong family values. promoting the health of the economy, and business is more important than saving species and land.

11. Use these Characteristics 1.Conservative 2.Urban (City) 3.Minorities 4.Big Business Owners 5.Unions 6.Public School Teachers 7.Wealthy 8. Elderly 9. Fundamental Christians 10. Immigrants 11. Environmentalists 12. Suburban (residential) 13. 18-24 year-olds 14. Less Fortunate 15. Military 16. Homosexuals

12. Who would most likely vote: Republican: − Wealthy − Elderly − Conservative − Fundamental Christians − Suburban [residential] − Big Business Owners − Military Democrat: − Less Fortunate − Minorities − Immigrants − 18-24 year olds − Urban [city] − Union − Environmentalists − Public School Teachers − Homosexuals