Sept 10 - Voting

1. Sept 10 - Voting Agenda: • 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

2. Quick-write • What are the qualifications that you need to have in order to vote in Washington State?

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Categorizing • Next Step: • 1. Compare Lists with another group--> Discuss disagreements • 2. In your group of 4obtain 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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?)

12. Comparison • US • ~50% in presidential elections • ~30—40% in midterm elections • Even lower in state elections • Declining since 1960 • Western European • ~90% turn out rate

14. Comparison • We have no compulsory voting • No fines, no same day registration, dual party system allows for fewer choice

15. Reasons for Low Turn Out • Institutional Barriers • How many can you name?

16. Answers. . . • Registration • Ballot Fatigue • Excessive # of Elections • Type of election • Difficulty of Attaining absentee ballot • Age—youth are the worst

17. Reasons for Low Turn Out • Political Reasons: • Lack of political efficacy • Dissatisfaction with candidates, parties, etc. • Lack of strong 2 party competition • Weaknesses of parties in mobilizing voters

18. Voter Behavior Factors Affecting

19. Democrat Republican Democrat + Swing Republican Democratic Republican Democratic Republican

20. Geography, Time • Solid South—traditionally Democratic, trending Republican • Coattail effect • Critical Elections “realigning” • Long term change in political alignment

21. Party ID • Probably second strongest predictor of voting behavior • Split ticket voting • Independents • Rising quickly • Tend to be young, college educated, above average incomes Retrospective/Prospective Voting

22. 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. poor • Age—older vote more than young • Race—whites more likely than African Americans more likely than Hispanics

23. 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

24. Demographics • Sex • Female / male = Dem, GOP • Race • More likely to vote Dem, African Americans—most loyal Dem voters • Social Class • Upper = GOP; Lower = Dem • Religion • Protestant = GOP; Catholic = Dem; Jewish = Dem.