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Political Participation in the United States: Voter Turnout

Consider : Why do YOU think people don’t vote?. Political Participation in the United States: Voter Turnout. Chapter 6: Wilson AP Government and Politics. Voting and Federalism. The Constitution: Fed not responsible for elections…

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Political Participation in the United States: Voter Turnout

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  1. Consider: Why do YOU think people don’t vote? Political Participation in the United States: Voter Turnout Chapter 6: Wilson AP Government and Politics

  2. Voting and Federalism • The Constitution: • Fed not responsible for elections… • Just establish date and ensure House members popularly elected • But this leaves a lot open; statewide, staggered terms, etc. • States could determine who was eligible to vote • What problem arose under this system?

  3. Amendments “Nationalizing” the Right to Vote • The 15th - Guaranteed the right to vote to “all persons” • Supreme Court – “Vote could be denied, but denial can’t be based on race”… • What did some state governments do in order to disenfranchise African-Americans after its passage? • Not until passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 does African-American participation in elections become widespread and fair • The 19th - Gave all women the right to vote • Prior to this, some states had extended the right to vote to women. • Did dramatic change result from the influx of women voters into the electorate? • Why not? • The 26th - Extended the right to vote to 18 year-olds. • Was their impact dramatic?

  4. Voter Turnout • Reasons for decline after 1890 • Decline in interest, weakening parties • Voter fraud before Australian ballot • How do voter registration procedures impact turnout? • Measuring voter turnout • VAP – all persons old enough • VEP – of those persons, only those actually eligible

  5. Voter turnout by sex and age

  6. Voting in Presidential Elections

  7. Enthusiasm for Voting?

  8. Reasons for higher voter turnout (for a midterm) in 2010 • “It’s the economy, stupid.” • Voters concern with issues, including jobs and debt

  9. Reasons for high voter turnout in 2012? • **Presidential election • Referendum on Obama’s first term • Republican motives - Anybody but Obama?

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