1. Political Participation

2. Forms of Political Participation (Besides Voting)
Litigation
Protest/public demonstrations
Contacting media or public officials
Campaign work, voter registration
Campaign contributions
Running for/holding political office
Political discussion (Way to go, AP Government!)
Membership in a political organization

3. Verba and Nie’s Six Kinds of Citizens
Inactives- rarely vote, participate, or even discuss politics. 22% of pop.
Voting Specialists- vote, but do little else
Campaigners- vote and get involved in campaigns
Communalists- non-partisan community activist with a local focus
Parochial Participants- like inactives, but will contact politicians about specific problems
Activists – participate in all forms of politics

4. Causes of Participation
Education- more=more
Religion- involvement develops skills associated with political participation
Gender- equal
Race – Black participation is lower, BUT controlling for socioeconomic status, they actually participate at a higher rate

5. Factors that Decrease Turnout
Youths, minorities pushing down percentage of eligible adults who are registered and vote
(Ya darn kids!)
Parties less effective in mobilization
Remaining registration impediments have negative effects
Voting not compulsory
Feelings that elections don’t matter

6. What Should We Do?
No one really knows who would be helped by increased voter turnout
Perhaps Democrats, since nonvoters tend to be poor, minorities, or uneducated
Perhaps Republicans, since an increasing percentage of college graduates and white-collar adults are not voting

7. Essentially…. Americans vote less but participate more
Other forms of activity are becoming more common
Political Participation: Just Do It!