Political Participation

Comparable Participation I. Why don’t American’s vote? ( We Do– but…….. ) Problem– not apathy but difficulty in registration-- not automatic like in most Euro countries Problem– not apathy but difficulty in registration-- not automatic like in most Euro countries Perception– American political participation is described in a wide range of activities other than just voting. Perception– American political participation is described in a wide range of activities other than just voting. Examples: volunteer, ring doorbells, hang signs, attend meetings, letters to editor, facebook, twitter, protest Examples: volunteer, ring doorbells, hang signs, attend meetings, letters to editor, facebook, twitter, protest

The American Electorate—Changes over Time Framers put voter eligibility in states hands Framers put voter eligibility in states hands Later: Congress by law and amendment required that: Later: Congress by law and amendment required that: all members of the House be elected by district all members of the House be elected by district Elections: even years 1 st Tues/Nov Elections: even years 1 st Tues/Nov

15 th Amendment No person can be denied the right to vote because of race, ethnicity or previous condition of servitude. FORMAL STATE LAWS PASSED TO LIMIT SUFFRAGE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS Literacy tests (except those eligible for grandfather clause Literacy tests (except those eligible for grandfather clause Poll taxes Poll taxes White primaries White primariesInformal Harassment, intimidation, threats (KKK) Harassment, intimidation, threats (KKK)

Voting Rights 1965– banned all literacy tests– required federal registrars to monitor all polling places where VAP had less than 50% registered Voting Rights 1965– banned all literacy tests– required federal registrars to monitor all polling places where VAP had less than 50% registered

Woman’s Suffrage 19 th Amendment– 1920’s 19 th Amendment– 1920’s Voting Population doubled Voting Population doubled Initially, women voted more or less in the same manner as men Initially, women voted more or less in the same manner as men No significant change in results No significant change in results

26 th Amendment 18 year olds can vote– year olds can vote– 1971 No significant impact on elections- No significant impact on elections- Lowest voter turn out Lowest voter turn out TODAY: Voter eligibility almost completely in the hands of the federal government TODAY: Voter eligibility almost completely in the hands of the federal government

Voter Turn-Out In 1800’s– 70% of eligible voters went to polls In 1800’s– 70% of eligible voters went to polls Last several decades– turn-out between 50-60% Last several decades– turn-out between 50-60% Perception of Decline since 1800’s Perception of Decline since 1800’s Weakening of political parties Weakening of political parties Lack of parties Lack of parties Politics lost relevance to average voter Politics lost relevance to average voter

Is Voter Turnout really declining? Claims of decline are misleading because: Voter fraud in earlier elections – “Vote early and vote often” (Often number cast was larger than number eligible) Voter fraud in earlier elections – “Vote early and vote often” (Often number cast was larger than number eligible) Safeguards and reforms implemented early 20 th century may explain decline Safeguards and reforms implemented early 20 th century may explain decline Unintended consequences of reform– difficult registration procedures discourages voters w/ little education Unintended consequences of reform– difficult registration procedures discourages voters w/ little education IS VOTING A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE? IS VOTING A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE? WILL NEW VOTER ID LAWS ADD TO THIS BURDEN? WILL NEW VOTER ID LAWS ADD TO THIS BURDEN?

Claims of apathy misleading because: Claims of apathy misleading because: Only 2/3 of voting age population is registered to vote Only 2/3 of voting age population is registered to vote 1993 Motor Voter Law attempted to simplify procedures– initial surge in registration, but mixed results—not much change in turn-out 1993 Motor Voter Law attempted to simplify procedures– initial surge in registration, but mixed results—not much change in turn-out Almost all differences in voter turnout between US and other democracies can be explained by party strength, automatic registraation and compulsory voting laws Almost all differences in voter turnout between US and other democracies can be explained by party strength, automatic registraation and compulsory voting laws

Participation Inactive 1/5: don’t vote or talk about politics– little ed, low income and young Inactive 1/5: don’t vote or talk about politics– little ed, low income and young Voting Specialists Vote only– little ed, and older Voting Specialists Vote only– little ed, and older Campaigners Involved actively– more ed—strong party id– strong issue positions Campaigners Involved actively– more ed—strong party id– strong issue positions Communalists– non-partisan–contacts local officials Communalists– non-partisan–contacts local officials Parochials– contacts local officials about personal problems Parochials– contacts local officials about personal problems Activists—1/9 of population– high ed– high income– middle aged – participate in all forms Activists—1/9 of population– high ed– high income– middle aged – participate in all forms

Who votes the most often? Most likely to participate: College educated College educated Older (above 45) Older (above 45) Regular Church goers Regular Church goers Whites– more than minorities (Education and income more an indicator than race) Whites– more than minorities (Education and income more an indicator than race)

OTHER FORMS OF PARTICIPATION Conventional– petitions, giving money, running for office Conventional– petitions, giving money, running for office Unconventional—protesting, civil disobedience, even violence Unconventional—protesting, civil disobedience, even violence

Advantages of federal system with regard to participation-- US has more elected officials than any other country (approx. 521,000!!!) --(General, primary, special, mid- term, off-year– county, local, school boards) US has more elected officials than any other country (approx. 521,000!!!) --(General, primary, special, mid- term, off-year– county, local, school boards) US Citizens vote for Pres, 2 senators, rep in House, Gov, State Senator, State Rep, etc--- as well as local officials US Citizens vote for Pres, 2 senators, rep in House, Gov, State Senator, State Rep, etc--- as well as local officials Most Europeans vote for one MP every 4 or 5 years Most Europeans vote for one MP every 4 or 5 years