Chapter 8: Political Participation

The American Electorate In 1993, Congress made registering to vote easier when they passed the motor-voter law allowing people to register when they applied for driver’s licenses.

The American Electorate From State to Federal Control Historical White Dominance Literacy tests Poll tax Grandfather clause exempted all people who voted before 1867. The white primary finally fell in 1944.

The American Electorate From State to Federal Control Federal voter registrars and poll watchers may be sent into areas where less than 50% of the voting-age population participates in presidential elections.

The American Electorate Voter Turnout In the 1890s, states began adopting the Australian ballot. Australian ballots are government printed ballots of a uniform measure that are cast in secret; this was to prevent voting fraud.

The American Electorate Voter Turnout Voting terminology VAP: voting-age population VEP: voting-eligible population

Who Participates in Politics? Participant Types Inactives make up about one-fifth of the US voting population. Activists make up 11% of the population (or 1/9th)

Who Participates in Politics? Participant Types The Middle Voting Specialists Vote and do nothing else. Income and education tend to be lower. Tend to be older than the average voter is.

Who Participates in Politics? Participant Types The Middle Campaigners They vote but also get involved in campaigns. Better educated. Have strong positions. Clear party identification.

Who Participates in Politics? Participant Types The Middle Communalists Tend to focus on community activities. Tend to be non-partisan. Community garden project in Oakland, Ca.

Who Participates in Politics? Participant Types The Middle Parochial Participants Do not vote. Will contact local officials about problems.

Who Participates in Politics? Participation Education, particularly those who have gone to college, is a major determinant for voters. Employed are more likely to vote than the unemployed.

Who Participates in Politics? Participation Whites and blacks vote more than Hispanics. Religion does not appear to boost political participation.