Voter behavior

1. Voter behavior

2. idiotes—those that did not vote or otherwise take part in public life millions of Americans don’t vote!

3. more vote in presidential elections than in off-year elections • more vote in general elections than in primary or special elections • “ballot fatigue”

4. “cannot voters” “non voters” little difference who wins bad weather overwhelming or lengthy election procedures time-zone factor lack of interest • resident aliens • ill or physically disabled • unexpectedly called from home • mental conditions • jail or prison • religious beliefs

5. so, who does vote? • higher levels of income, education and occupational status • well-integrated into community life • strong sense of party identification • women vote more than men

6. The Sociological Factors that affect voter behavior are… • a voter’s personal characteristics (age, race, religion, income, occupation, education, etc.) • a voter’s group affiliations (family, co-workers, friends, etc.)

8. Now… • You are going to create two fictional American people. You can choose to create • the typical voter and non voter • the typical Democrat and Republican You can either draw these individuals or find pictures in magazines. On the back, you are to write a profile for each, including all the characteristics we discussed in class today: income, occupation, education, gender, age, religious and ethnic background, geographical location