Voting in the U.S.

1. Voting in the U.S. AP Government and Politics Akwete McAlister

2. What do you think? • http://www.wxii12.com/politics/25285318/detail.html?taf=gws

3. Voter Turnout • Sixty-four percent of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in the 2004 presidential election, up from 60 percent in 2000, the U.S. Census Bureau reported today. • Read the following article for voter turnout in 2008. http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1209/racial-ethnic-voters-presidential-election • What changes occurred in who voted demographically (discuss race, age, regions, states)? Why do you think this is the case?

4. Who Votes? • As education increases so does the level of voting. • Whites vote at a greater rate than blacks • In 2004, turnout rates for citizens were 67 percent for non-Hispanic whites, 60 percent for blacks, 44 percent for Asians and 47 percent for Hispanics (of any race). These rates were higher than the previous presidential election by 5 percentage points for non-Hispanic whites and 3 points for blacks. By contrast, the voting rates for Asian and Hispanic citizens did not change. These data pertain to those who identified themselves as being of a single race.

5. Who Votes? Continued…. • Since 1984 women are more likely to vote than men. • Higher income and status (career) increases the likelihood of voting. • Older people vote at greater rates than young.

6. When do we vote? • General elections – elect the officeholder • Primary elections – choosing the party nominee • Special elections –replacing someone who has left office because of death, fraud, sickness • Presidential elections – elections when presidential candidates or on the ballots • Midterm elections – midway through the presidential elections • Off-year elections –odd-numbered year elections

7. What is the turnout for the different types of elections? • Turnout is highest in presidential elections. • Turnout is greater in general elections than primary elections, and higher in primary elections than special elections. • Turnout is greater when there are federal candidates on the ballot as opposed to state elections. • Turnout is greater in state elections than municipal elections.

8. What do you think? • http://www.wxii12.com/politics/25285318/detail.html?taf=gws • What does this clip say about the electorate? • What does this clip say about the candidates? • What does this clip say about U.S. democracy?

9. Is lower voter turnout a problem in the U.S.? • Yes or No • Explain. • In a comparative study of countries around the world the U.S. was 120th in voter turnout with 66.5% voter turnout. Australia was 1st with 94.5% voter turnout. In last place was Mali with a 21.3% voter turnout. • Some countries like Brazil put mandates on voting, how could the U.S. increase voter turnout in all elections?

10. Does voter registration negatively impact voter turnout? • Yes or No • What is the purpose? • Are there alternatives to voter registration? • Motor Voter Bill – passed in 1993 by President Clinton it allows people to register to vote while applying for or renewing driver’s license, and other social service agencies (ie: Public Schools, libraries, welfare offices.)

11. Voting Rights: When did different groups get the right to vote? • White men without property? • Men of any race? • Women? • Native Americans? • People in the District of Columbia? • Black people for real? • People 18 years old and older?

12. Should felons be allowed to vote? • Assessing Voting Rights For Convicted Felons (NPR talk) • Listen to the following. Pick up some headsets in the corner of the room. • http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95833312 • Write a one page response to this article. I will collect.