Voters & Voter Behavior

Voting Rights Large struggle for voting rights to be secured Of the 215 million people (18-24) that can vote – only 42% voted in 2004 Extension of Rights There are 5 distinct stages which caused this to occur Elimination of religious qualifications in 17th & 18th century 15th amendment eliminated voting based on color – intended to protect voters 19th amendment prohibited voting based on sex – expanded voters rights Voting rights Act of 1965 broader electoral civil rights process Elimination of poll taxes Elimination of age restriction – 18 or older vote

Voting Rights Constitution does not grant voter qualifications Power is reserved for the states No state can deprived people of voting; all may vote No rights to vote can be issued based off race, religion, color, servitude, age, or sex. No tax conditions connected to voting Voter qualifications (Universal) Three qualifications Citizen of the nation Very few states allow aliens to vote Minnesota & Pennsylvania allow voting Though the constitution doesn’t stipulate against it

Voter Rights Voter Qualifications Resident of the state you reside in Two reasons: Keep away political machines – bribing outsiders Allow familiarity with candidates & issues There are transient laws – those who live in state for short time College students cannot live in states where they go to school. You meat the age requirement 18-20 yr old groups have been typically week group of voters – less than 60% Forty-nine states require registration Eliminate voter registration? It is a impediment to voting; U.S. is the only state that allows choice in the registering to vote Motor-voter law What you won’t find Literacy laws or tax payment laws

Voting Rights Idiots in the U.S.? No! ;-) Why people don’t vote 2004 215 million voters – 56% voted The lower the ballot box = few numbers of voters Why people don’t vote Takes more time to go to video store than to vote Cannot – voters Voters who are illegal – thus can’t vote 10 million Traveling voters – 2-3 million Ill voters – 5-6 million “We make no difference” Like democrats in Idaho Alienated population

Voter Rights Voter Apathy Non-integrated High voter turn out Cumbersome election process Lack of interest “Time-zone” fallout Non-integrated Lower incomes; lower education; disenfranchised Younger age; unmarried; unskilled; live in rural areas High voter turn out High levels of education & occupations High incomes Party identification & party preliminaries matter Religious affiliations influence voter turnout