Voting Participation in the USA

1. Voting Participation in the USA

2. Background • Historically Black and Hispanic Americans were much less likely to vote than White Americans • The 2010 US census showed that 37% of eligible blacks and 48% of eligible Hispanics were not registered to vote • We are today going to look at why this was and to some extent is still the case • However we are also going to look at how things are changing and how Black and in particular Hispanic voters are becoming ever more valuable to both the Democrats and the Republican parties

3. Limits to participation - Copy • Reason One • Firstly, around 11 million Americans are there illegally, most of whom are Hispanic • This means they cannot vote • Reason Two • Poverty and political participation are linked • Reason Three • Felons (people who have been to prison) have their voting rights taken away from them in all but two states (around 5 million Americans) • Around 40% of those affected are Black Americans • Watch the video clip which explains why this is allowed to happen

4. 2000 Presidential Election • The race between George Bush and Al Gore was the closest in American history • The result eventually was settled away from the ballot box by the Supreme Court • Watch the clip (0-7mins) from the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 which details why felony disenfranchisement in the state of Florida played such a big part in the eventual outcome

5. Times are changing • The Hispanic vote in particular is becoming more and more important when it comes to Presidential elections. • They are the fastest growing ethnic group which is making them more important. • However it is where they are living that is making them so attractive to both the parties. • Take the hand out on the importance of the Hispanic vote and work on the task set in it

6. Positive Role Models - Copy • More and more Black and Hispanic Americans are making it into some of the top positions. • It is thought that this inspires the ethnic groups’ from which they come to become more politically aware and therefore more active in politics. • There are now 30 Hispanics in the House of Representatives and 3 Senators, a US record (although still an under representation of the ethnic group) • Marco Rubio, US Senator for Florida Barack Obama, US President

7. Potential Exam Questions • Explain, in detail, why some people in the world power you have studied do not participate in politics • Explain, in detail, why some people in the world power you studied are becoming more involved in politics

8. ‘Beat the clock’ • You have ten minutes to plan for one of the following questions (all 6 marks) • You will then have nine minutes to write it (6 marks *1.5 minutes per mark) • In relation to the world power you have studied answer one of the following questions: • Describe, in detail, how citizens can participate politically • Explain, in detail, how the country has impacted on other countries around the world • Explain, in detail, how the government has helped try to reduce social and/or economic inequalities • Explain, in detail, why some people in the world power you have studied do not participate in politics