Chapter 6 Section 4 Voter Behavior

NONVOTERS  Tens of millions  In the 2000 election only 51.2% actually voted in the presidential election.  Interestingly, some people who vote in the presidential election choose not to vote in the congressional election during the same year.  Nonvoting is most common during state and local elections

VOTER FATIGUE  As a general rule, the further down the ballot an office is, the fewer the number of votes that will be cast for it.  More voters vote for presidents and governors than any other office. These elections usually appear toward the end of the ballot.

CANNOT-VOTERS  These voters for one reason or another cannot actually vote.  These people are included in the numbers of nonvoters!

CANNOT-VOTERS million resident aliens million are too ill or physically disabled million traveled suddenly ,000 are in mental healthcare 5. 2 million are in jail/prison ,000 because of religion

WHY DO PEOPLE NOT VOTE? 1. People deliberately choose not to go to the polls A. Believe their vote does not make a difference B. Others are satisfied with the political world C. No matter who wins, things will continue to go well D. They distrust politicians.

WHY DO PEOPLE NOT VOTE?  Political efficacy – A sense that one can influence politics.  - If you have a positive level of political efficacy you believe that you can affect the political process and will most likely vote.  - If you have a negative or low level of political efficacy you think that what you do does not matter and do not vote.

FACTORS AFFECTING TURNOUT  1. Cumbersome election procedures A. Inconvenient registration requirements B. Long ballots C. Long lines at the polling places D. Bad weather

FACTORS AFFECTING TURNOUT 2. Time zone fallout – polls in the eastern and central time zones close before polls in state in the Mountain and Pacific time zones.  The media often projects the outcome. Some people become discourage and do not vote. 3. Lack of interest – VOTER APATHY