Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning VOTING AND ELECTIONS Chapter Nine

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the electoral process in the United States, and explain how it relates to democratic theory. 2. Discuss the factors that influence voter turnout in the United States, and compare American voter turnout to that of other nations. 3. Describe historical restrictions on the vote in the United States, and explain how these restrictions have been ended. 2

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Learning Outcomes 4. Describe the types of elections held in the United States, and explain the constitutional reasons for so many elections. 5. Discuss the impact of the mechanics and technology of voting on voting turnout, vote fraud, and the ability of citizens to trust the process. 3

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Introduction to Voting and Elections  U.S. is representative democracy  Free and open elections  Most votes wins  Too many elections?  Voter turnout rates declining  Votes count more in local races, but these have consistently lower turnout 4

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turning Out to Vote  Voting age population = 235 million people  About 55% actually go to polls  Therefore, winner of close presidential election chosen by only one-fourth of voting-age population  1960 last year for good voter turnout (65%)  Presidential elections affect congressional and gubernatorial races  Lowest turnout in local elections 5

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Elected by a Majority? 6

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Elected by a Majority? 7

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turning Out to Vote  Effect of low voter turnout  Threat to representative democratic government OR  Satisfaction with status quo  Is voter turnout declining?  Actual voters  Voting age population  Eligible voters 8

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Voter Turnout for Presidential and Congressional Elections,

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turning Out to Vote  Factors influencing who votes  Age  Educational attainment  Minority status  Income level  Two-party competition 10

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Voting in the 2008 Presidential Elections by Age Group 11

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turning Out to Vote  Why people do not vote  Uninformative media coverage  Negative campaigning  Rational ignorance effect  Lack of incentive to obtain “costly” information about politicians and political issues  Believe individual vote not important 12

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Voting in the 2008 Presidential Elections by Educational Level 13

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turning Out to Vote  Improving voter turnout  Mail-in voting  Easier registration  Early voting  Unrestricted absentee ballot  Election Day holiday  Sunday voting  National registration 14

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Legal Restrictions on Voting  Historical restrictions:  Property requirements  Race  Gender  Age Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 15

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Legal Restrictions on Voting  Current eligibility/registration requirements  Citizenship  Age 18 or older  Residency (varies by state)  Significant variance state to state  Extension of the Voting Rights Act  2006 extension helps ensure continued voting participation by minority groups 16

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Primary Elections, General Elections, and More  Federal system means state and local elections  Nomination required to appear on ballot  By political party (caucus or convention)  By petition 17

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Primary Elections, General Elections, and More  Primary elections (selects candidates)  Closed  Open  Blanket  Runoff  General elections (selects officeholders)  Other elections  Special elections  Recall elections  Constitutional or referendums 18

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Turnout in Selected Countries Most Recent National Election 19

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning How Are Elections Conducted?  United States uses Australian ballot  Office-block ballot  Party-column ballot  Voting by mail Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning 20

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning How Are Elections Conducted?  Vote fraud  Phony registrations  Absentee voting  Relaxed registration laws  Mistakes by officials  Importance of the voting machine  2000 presidential election and “butterfly” ballot  Help America Vote Act 21

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning The Electoral College  Choice of electors  State’s number of senators (two) plus number of representatives  District of Columbia gets three  Total number = 538  Electors’ commitment  Pledged to vote for party’s candidate  Ballots counted and certified before joint session  Candidates need 270 electoral votes to win  If no majority, decision goes to House 22

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning Electoral Votes by State 23

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning The Electoral College  Criticisms of Electoral College  Founders envisioned independent electors  Elitist to not let people directly elect president  Presidential campaigning focuses on states with most electors  System favors smaller states 24

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning The Electoral College  Those who favor electoral system  Major parties  Less-populous states  National Popular Vote movement 25

Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning To Vote, You Must Register 26