1. Voting Turnout and Behavior
Unit 3: American Political System

2. A Brief History of Voting
Under the Constitution states were able to establish who could vote and for what offices.
Led to wide variations in Federal Offices
Example: Some states created “Districts” for House Members. Others held statewide elections and took the top vote getters that corresponded to the number of seats available.

3. Evolution of Voting
1870: 15th Amendment gives right to vote to African Americans
1961: 23rd Amendment allows D.C. residents to vote for President
1971: 26th Amendment gives suffrage to all eighteen-year-olds. Turnout low and has fallen since.
1920: 19th Amendment gives right to vote to women. Increased participation but no impact on results.

4. Voting over time has…
Removed restrictions and has been available to a larger percentage of the population
Current Restrictions still in place: Under 18, Residency and citizenship requirements, registration requirements, and criminal record.
Transferred more authority from the state government to the federal government

5. Who Can Vote? Age: 18 years or older Citizenship Requirement
Criminal Record: Most states bar felons from voting
Registration Requirement
Not automatic
Residency Requirements
Registration must occur in advance of election

6. Voting: Turnout vs. Behavior
Two terms that sound similar but very specifically mean two different things Voter Turnout Refers to actions of actually going to vote. Often related to a percentage of the population and questions about who is more or less likely to vote or reasons why our rate is low. Voter Behavior Refers to the decisions of those who vote (voting Republican or Democrat). Often related to demographic information

7. Two Ways to Look at Voter Turnout: Both Suck
Voting Age Population
Voting Eligible Participation
Measuring the vote of all people who have reached the age of 18.
Many people in this group are not eligible to vote (non- citizens, convicted felons)
In 2008: 56.8%
In 2012: 54.9%
In 2016: 54.7%
Measuring the vote of all people who are legally allowed to vote.
In 2008: 62.3%
In 2012: 57.5%
In 2016: 59.3%

8. Voter Turnout

9. Why people didn’t vote

10. Why is U.S. Voter Turnout Low?
Day of Voting
- In the U.S. elections are held on Tuesdays. Other countries have weekend elections or voting holidays.
Registration Process
- In the U.S. voters have to send in their registration by mail. Other nations have an automatic process.
Decrease in Trust in Government
- Since 1970, our trust in government officials has decreased.
Weakening of Political Parties
- Less ability to mobilize voters
Ballot Fatigue
- Due to federalism we have a lot of elections, so people tend to sit some of them out.

11. Attempts to Encourage Voting
Early Voting, Absentee Voting, Mail-in Voting
Forty million registered voters failed to vote in recent elections
Forty million voting-age citizens failed to register in either of the two elections
Get Out the Vote Drives
Limited impact. Door-to-door and phone calls were most effective
In 2008, 38% of voters say they were convinced to vote in this way
Easier Registration (Motor Voter Law, etc)
Increased registration but not voter turnout by a significant factor

12. “Likely” Voters
Education: The higher the level of education, more likely a person is to vote. (Most important indicator)
Occupation and Income: White-collar jobs and higher income are more likely to vote (often tied to education)
Age: Older people are more likely to vote than younger people
Race: Minorities are less likely to vote than whites, unless they have similar socioeconomic states.
Gender: Used to be neutral, but today women are more likely to vote than men
Religion: People who are active within their faith are more likely to vote
Marital Status: People who are married are more likely to vote.

13. Political Participation
The tendency is to look at participation as just voting in elections. However it refers to every way we take part in politics and government. Conventional Participation Acceptable to the public and the government Examples: Voting, Discussing politics, attending meetings, forming interest groups, contacting public officials, campaigning for office, contributing money, running for office, SOME forms of protest Unconventional Participation Americans are less approving. Often used by groups that feel powerless and ineffective. Examples: SOME forms of protest, violent actions, terrorism

14. How is this related to Voter Behavior?
Liberal
Demographic
Conservative
African-Americans, Latino-Americans (Not Cuban)
Race/Ethnicity
Asian Americans (Slightly), White-Americans
Female (Majorly)
Gender
Male (Slightly)
Younger
Age
Older
Higher Levels of Education
Level of Education
Lower Levels of Education
Jewish, Non-Religious
Religion
Protestant
West Coast, Northeast, Urban Areas
Region
South, Rural Areas