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This chapter explores the causes and consequences of low voter turnout in the United States, and provides potential solutions for increasing political participation. It discusses historical voting restrictions, the rise of the American electorate, and factors that influence voter participation. The chapter also examines the meaning of participation rates and the various forms of political engagement beyond voting.
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Nonvoting • Only 2/3 of the voting age population is registered to vote • Possible solution: get non registered voters, register • Reasons why people don’t vote: • Its complicated • It’s costly
Cont… • After the motor-voter law was enacted in 1995 • ( law that allows citizens to register to vote while applying for their driving license) 630,000 new voters sign up to vote. • By 1999, 1/3 of the voting registrations came from motor vehicle offices • In 2001-2002, 40% of all voter applications came from motor vehicle offices • Low rates of voting registration indicate that people are well satisfied with how the county is governed
The Rise of American Electorate • America was the first country were a mass of people were eligible to vote. • Before the constitution, voting was limited to land owners and taxpayers. In 1929, during the Jackson administration, it broaden to all white male. • Women and Blacks couldn't vote until the 20th century.
Stratagems that kept blacks from voting • Literary test • Poll tax • Grandfather clause • White primary
Cont… • At first, the states decided who voted and for what positions, then the federal government took power • In1842, federal law required that members of the House be elected by districts.
Significant changes • Suffrage to women, blacks and 18 year olds • Senator elections were made mandatory by district • The Voting Rights Act was is enacted in 1965
Voting Turnout • Who can’t vote: • Prisoners • Aliens • Felons
Cont… • Voting was highly popular in the 20th century • Because political parties, and not the government printed the ballots, voting fraud was common; some people voted more than once, and party machines made use of repeaters. • In 1890, the Australian ballot was adopted; • Gov’t printed ballot were votes were cast in secret and not in public
Who participates in Politics • Voting is the most common form of political participation in the US • Most Americans exaggerate their political activity • Americans don’t make politics part of their daily life • Two types of political extremes: • Inactive • activist
Cont... • Four types of limited participation: • Voting specialist • Campaigners • Communalist • Parochial participants
The causes of participation:who votes • Political participation is higher among college-educated people than those who are not as educated • People over 45 years old tend to vote more than those under 35 • Education is not the primary reason why people tend not to vote, but their level of political knowledge • Religious people are also among those more likely to vote due to their high morals and strong political opinions in majors issues such as abortion
Cont… • Black and Whites tend to vote differently • Blacks vote less due to the fact that their less educated and are among the low class • Demonstrations are almost as important as elections in shaping public policy • Non voters tend to be Blacks, Hispanics, uneducated, and the low class
The meaning of participation rates • Although Americans are going to the polls less, they are campaigning, contacting government officials, and working on community issues more. • While in European nations citizens vote once every seven years, Americans in the US have the opportunity to vote nearly 15 times every two to four. • Eg.: We vote for senators, representatives, sheriffs, mayors, treasures, etc.
