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Political Participation

Political Participation. Wilson 8A. Objective Questions. Who Governs? . To What Ends?. How did the Framers of the Constitution think average citizens should participate in America’s representative democracy? Should today’s college-age citizens participate more in politics?.

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Political Participation

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  1. Political Participation Wilson 8A

  2. Objective Questions Who Governs? To What Ends? How did the Framers of the Constitution think average citizens should participate in America’s representative democracy? Should today’s college-age citizens participate more in politics? • Who votes, who doesn’t? • Why do some people participate at higher rates than others?

  3. Nonvoting Voting age population (VAP) Registered voters (VEP) More like Europe Cost of registration Not automatic but easier since 1995 (motor voter) • Low turn-out in US • Get-out-the-vote campaigns • Will not help lack of registration (good/bad?) American participate in other ways than voting. Europeans don’t.

  4. Rise of American Electorate Limits State Control At-large representatives Odd years Majority/plurality No popular vote Ineligibility Amendments Federal laws • Property owners • Taxpayers • White • Male • Free • Slave • Son of slave • Incarcerated

  5. Changes in the Electorate By Law Amendment 15th - race 19th - gender 23rd - DC 24th - poll tax 26th - age • 1842 • House districts • Set dates • 1910 • Standard, secret ballot • 1965 • Voting Rights Act • 2000 • Registration • Identification • Uniformity

  6. Voter turnout Real Decline Apparent Decline More honest accounting Parties printed ballots Parties counted ballots Loose rules Public voting Calculation methods • Less popular interest • Decrease in party mobilization • Registration is more difficult • Alternative participation

  7. Free Response • Elections in the United States are characterized by low voter turnout. • Discuss TWO demographic characteristics associated with nonvoting. • Discuss THREE institutional obstacles associated with nonvoting.

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