The Power of Civic Engagement Voting/ civic participation

Who is this?

Popular sovereignty How do Americans participate? How do Americans participate? Why do Americans participate? Why do Americans participate? Self – government Self – government Participation is attachment to: Participation is attachment to: Community Community States States Country Country Active participation on civic life Active participation on civic life

Voluntary Associations Unpaid groups that solve community problems and take care of one another Unpaid groups that solve community problems and take care of one another Religious organizations Religious organizations Social organization Social organization Service and business organizations Service and business organizations Nongovernmental organizations Nongovernmental organizations NGO’s NGO’s

Participation in National Government Political Parties Political Parties Two major Two major Third parties Third parties Public Policy Public Policy Public opinion Public opinion Voting Voting Electoral College Electoral College

How does the Electoral College work? Review

The Mechanics The Presidential Election should be viewed as 51 separate elections each with a “winner take all” system The Presidential Election should be viewed as 51 separate elections each with a “winner take all” system Except for Main & Nebraska Except for Main & Nebraska To win a candidate must get a majority of 538 votes or 270 To win a candidate must get a majority of 538 votes or 270 Each state is represented in the EC according to their total number of members of Congress Each state is represented in the EC according to their total number of members of Congress

The Mechanics Cont’d The total electoral vote of 538 is based on 100 senators, 435 representatives for the 50 states. The total electoral vote of 538 is based on 100 senators, 435 representatives for the 50 states. The 23rd Amendment gave Washington, DC 3 electoral votes The 23rd Amendment gave Washington, DC 3 electoral votes The candidates compete in 50 states and DC for electoral votes and the winner must have at least 270 The candidates compete in 50 states and DC for electoral votes and the winner must have at least 270 The Electoral College always works when there are only two candidates The Electoral College always works when there are only two candidates

the electoral college by scaling the sizes of states to be proportional to their number of electoral votes

The Mechanics Cont’d If there are more than two candidates, the system might not work If there are more than two candidates, the system might not work If the system does not work, the House elects the President and the Senate elects the Vice-President. This has not happened since If the system does not work, the House elects the President and the Senate elects the Vice-President. This has not happened since Politics 101 Politics 101 Politics 101 Politics 101 Election forecast Election forecast Election forecast Election forecast CNN map CNN map CNN map CNN map Video: Electoral College Video: Electoral College Video: Electoral College Video: Electoral College

Voter Turnout According to US Census 2012 According to US Census % registered voters 73.3% registered voters 63.6% voter turnout 63.6% voter turnout White 64% (non- Hispanic) White 64% (non- Hispanic) African Americans 65% African Americans 65% Hispanic 45% Hispanic 45% Asians 42% Asians 42% Age 45 and higher 70% Age 45 and higher 70% Young adults (18 – 24) 48.5% Young adults (18 – 24) 48.5% Men 61.5% Men 61.5% Women 65.7% Women 65.7% 71.1% register voter 71.1% register voter 61.8% voter turnout 61.8% voter turnout White 64% (non- Hispanic) White 64% (non- Hispanic) African American 66% African American 66% Hispanic 48% Hispanic 48% Asians 47% Asians 47% Age 45 and higher 63.8% Age 45 and higher 63.8% Young adults (18-24) 41.2% Young adults (18-24) 41.2% Men 59.7% Men 59.7% Women 63.7% Women 63.7%

Elections are administrated at the state and local levels Elections are administrated at the state and local levels Almost all states required voters to register with country officials Almost all states required voters to register with country officials National Voter Registration Act (1993) National Voter Registration Act (1993) Early voting Early voting Absentee ballots Absentee ballots Mail-in ballots Mail-in ballots To increase voting turnout people have suggested To increase voting turnout people have suggested National Election Day National Election Day 24hrs polling places 24hrs polling places