Sept 10 - Voting
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Transcript of Sept 10 - Voting
SEPT 10 - VOTINGAgenda: Quick-write Notes: Voting Categorizing
Activity
Homework: Complete the
Ideology Quiz and Assignment and bring it in to class
Take out: Notebook Pen/Pencil
Objectives: Describe effective
polling and its effect on public opinion and voter turnout.
Weigh different factors that affect voter participation and turnout
QUICK-WRITE What are the qualifications that you
need to have in order to vote in Washington State?
IN WA, YOU MUST BE… A citizen of the United States; A legal resident of Washington State At least 18 years old by Election Day.
NOT IF… convicted of a felony and not had your
voting rights restored declared by a court to be mentally
incompetent and ineligible to vote.
WE VOTE BECAUSE… We are citizens of a REPUBLIC
(representative democracy) We need to select individuals to
represent the needs of a group It is a form of expressing public opinion
HOW OFTEN DO WE VOTE? Members of Congress are elected every 2 years President is Elected every 4 years
2008 – President Obama was elected, along with every member of the House of Representatives (they get elected every 2 years!), and 1/3 of the Senate (they have 6 year terms and are on a rotating election basis).
2010 – All the members of the House of Representatives ran for election again, along with a different 1/3 of the Senate.
2012 – The President, All the House Members, and the remaining 1/3 of the Senate seats
HISTORICAL QUALIFICATIONS Religion (eliminated by states) Property (eliminated by states) Race (eliminated by 15th Amendment) Sex (eliminated by 19th Amendment) Income (eliminated by 24th
Amendment) Literacy (eliminated by Voting Rights
Act of 1965) Minimum Age of 21 (eliminated by
26th Amendment)
CATEGORIZING
First: Obtain an envelope and categorize the contents by:
“Likely to Vote” and “Less Likely to Vote”
Second: Now arrange from Most likely to Least likely within each list
CATEGORIZING Next Step: 1. Compare Lists with another group--> Discuss
disagreements 2. In your group of 4 obtain a sheet of printer
paper and marker from front 3. Make at least 4 comparative statements. 4. Record those statements on a sheet of printer
paper (1 per group). Write large enough to read when put on document
camera.Example: An 18-year-old would be less likely to vote than a 60-year-old. The teenager has few issues he/she may feel could be addressed by government.
PRESENTING As you read, do not repeat statements. Must
present a new statement each time. Another group member can accompany to
answer questions. As we go we will actively evaluate and I
recommended you take notes! After each statement is read I will ask if you
Agree, Disagree or would like to qualify the statement. Agree = THUMBS UP Disagree = THUMBS DOWN Qualify = AGREE but for different reason than
stated.
CATEGORIZING Construct a mind
map/conceptual drawing in which you show how public opinion relates to or is transformed into public policy.
Incorporate at least 4 terms (polling, elections, etc.) and extend it or elaborate upon it as you deem necessary.
QUICK-WRITE “A citizen of America will cross the
ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote in a national election.”Bill Vaughan
Does low voter turnout make a mockery of democracy? (ie: does low voter turnout matter?)
COMPARISON US
~50% in presidential elections~30—40% in midterm electionsEven lower in state electionsDeclining since 1960
Western European~90% turn out rate
COMPARISON We have no compulsory voting
No fines, no same day registration, dual party system allows for fewer choice
REASONS FOR LOW TURN OUT Institutional Barriers
How many can you name?
ANSWERS. . . Registration Ballot Fatigue Excessive # of Elections Type of election Difficulty of Attaining absentee ballot Age—youth are the worst
REASONS FOR LOW TURN OUT Political Reasons:
Lack of political efficacyDissatisfaction with candidates, parties, etc.Lack of strong 2 party competitionWeaknesses of parties in mobilizing voters
VOTER BEHAVIOR
Factors Affecting
GEOGRAPHY, TIME Solid South—traditionally Democratic,
trending Republican Coattail effect Critical Elections “realigning”
Long term change in political alignment
PARTY ID Probably second strongest predictor of
voting behavior Split ticket voting Independents
Rising quicklyTend to be young, college educated, above
average incomes
Retrospective/Prospective Voting
WHO VOTES, WHO DOESN’T, WHO CARES? Characteristics of those likely to vote
Level of educational achievement greatest predictor of voting Cuts across all other factors
Income—rich vs. poorAge—older vote more than youngRace—whites more likely than African
Americans more likely than Hispanics
WHO VOTES, WHO DOESN’T, WHO CARES? Does it matter?
Yes—class bias—older, richer, white people dominate
No—nonvoters are demographically different, not politically different
DEMOGRAPHICS Sex
Female / male = Dem, GOP Race
More likely to vote Dem, African Americans—most loyal Dem voters
Social ClassUpper = GOP; Lower = Dem
ReligionProtestant = GOP; Catholic = Dem; Jewish =
Dem.