Voter Participation Camden Reports

Transcription

1 Voter Participation Camden Reports SECTOR CIVIC PHASE I PRELIMINARY YEAR

2 City of Camden Census Tracts Source: U.S. Census 2000 CAMConnect is a partnership committed to sharing and using information that will lead to informed decisions and better policy making to improve the quality of life of all Camden citizens. CAMConnect is based on a model for the use of advanced neighborhood level information systems in policy making and local capacity building. Our partnership includes community and neighborhood groups, government, community-based organizations, hospitals, educational institutions, businesses, and other organizations that use and collect information. 2 CAMConnect November 2003

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Executive Summary 4 Introduction 5 Ward and Election District Boundaries 6 Demographics 7 Voter Participation Maps and Charts, Ward Detail Data 22 APPENDIX A: Citizen Feedback 26 APPENDIX B: Elected Officials 28 3 CAMConnect November 2003

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The following report is based on data obtained from the Camden City Clerk and the Camden County Clerk for elections from May 1997 through November For the purposes of this study, the primary indicator used is a comparison of actual voters to the voting age population (VAP) in each election district in the City of Camden. Among the findings of the report, which are illustrated in the following pages: Residents in Camden City vote at a lower rate than residents of adjacent municipalities or other jurisdictions in Camden County. However, the voter participation rate in Camden is comparable to that of other similar communities in New Jersey, such as Paterson, Elizabeth, and Trenton. Although the rate of voter participation in Camden City is much lower than surrounding communities, the rate of voter registration is not. This suggests that efforts to improve voter turnout in Camden must focus on education and getting citizens to the polls, not just on registration drives. Age is an indicator of voting tendencies. Residents in the neighborhood of Parkside, which has a relatively large population of people over 50 voted at a higher rate than did residents of East Camden and Cramer Hill, which have lower median ages. The pattern in Camden follows statewide and national tendencies. Residents in primarily Latino neighborhoods of Camden are less likely to vote than residents of primarily African-American neighborhoods or neighborhoods of mixed ethnicity. Voter participation varies greatly between different elections. Participation peaked in the 2000 Presidential election, when 45 percent of registered voters, or 34 percent of the voting age population actually voted. Participation has likely been affected by the perceived quality and background of the candidates and voter apathy following political scandals like the conviction of former Mayor Milton Milan. Participation reached 24 percent of the voting age population during the 1997 Mayoral race with five candidates including one Latino, three African-Americans, and one Caucasian, representing a spectrum of demographic groups of the City. In the following Mayoral election of 2001, turnout plummeted to 16 percent when only two candidates were on the ballot, both African-American. The dropoff was particularly significant in predominately Latino sections of the City, such as parts of North Camden, Cramer Hill, and East Camden. 4 CAMConnect November 2003

5 INTRODUCTION The following report is based on data obtained from the Camden City Clerk and the Camden County Clerk for elections from May 1997 through November The Camden County Board of Elections maintains the paper maps of election districts, which CAMConnect recreated as GIS shapefiles. Many voter participation studies compare the number of actual voters to the number of registered voters. While this indicator is useful, CAMConnect does not believe that it represents the best possible measure of civic engagement. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (commonly known as the motor voter law) made purging registration rolls far more difficult, meaning that the registration lists do not always reflect who is actually available to vote. Therefore, for the purposes of this study, the primary indicator used is a comparison of actual voters to the voting age population (VAP) in each election district in the City of Camden. To be sure, the VAP measure also has some limitations because it includes some people who aren t eligible to vote, such as noncitizens and convicted felons. Accordingly, population data used for this CAMConnect study were adjusted to remove those people at Camden County Jail or Riverfront State Prison. Election district boundaries do not correspond with census tract boundaries in many instances. In order to determine accurate estimates of population and demographics for each election district, CAMConnect staff identified the census blocks that made up each election district. Data pertaining to the census blocks were aggregated to provide an indication of the demographic elements of each election district Census data were used as the basis for all demographic comparisons presented in this report. While some of the election data date from before 2000 and some from after, CAMConnect identified the 2000 Census as an ideal baseline that provides the best possible snapshot of demographic characteristics within each election district. Most of the maps in this report reflect the election districts that were in effect from the early 1990s through As required by law, the City of Camden redistricted following the 2000 Census. The first redistricting relating to this Census resulted in the election map that was used for the November 2002 election. Subsequent to that election, a court decision invalidated the revised map, forcing another redistricting. This second redistricting resulted in the creation of the election map used for the May 2003 election, and ostensibly for all elections for the next seven or eight years. Data Source: Camden City Clerk, Camden County Clerk, U.S. Census 2000, Camden County Board of Elections, Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (Rutgers) Future Work: This report will be updated with information from elections before 1997 and subsequent to Also, statistical analysis to further determine which demographic characteristics influence voting patterns in Camden is a possible future objective. 5 CAMConnect November 2003

6 WARD AND ELECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES Boundaries in effect through 2001 Boundaries in effect 2003 and future Source: Camden County Board of Elections 6 CAMConnect November 2003

7 ELECTION DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS VOTING AGE POPULATION AND PERCENT REGISTERED Source: U.S. Census 2000 Ward Voting Age Population 1 12, , , ,949 TOTAL 49,486 Source: Camden County Clerk Percent of Voting Age Population Registered WARD % WARD % WARD % WARD % TOTAL 70.2% Camden County 76.2% N.J. 74.0% 7 CAMConnect November 2003

8 ELECTION DISTRICT DEMOGRAPHICS Source: U.S. Census 2000 Source: U.S. Census CAMConnect November 2003

9 BLOCK GROUP DEMOGRAPHICS MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Source: U.S. Census 2000 Source: U.S. Census CAMConnect November 2003

10 1997 MAY ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden City Clerk Votes Cast Offices: Camden Mayor Camden City Council At-Large Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 3,178 3,183 2,697 2,990 12,048 Mayoral Candidate Total Votes Milton Milan 4,850 Arnold W. Webster 3,206 Donald D. Council 1,627 Rosemary R. Jackson 1,507 Frank Fulbrook 858 TOTAL 12, % 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted 26.8% 24.3% 25.1% 22.5% 23.1% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 10 CAMConnect November 2003

11 1998 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk Votes Cast Offices: U.S. Representative, District 1 Robert E. Andrews (DEM) Ronald L. Richards (REP) Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 2,187 2,310 1,694 1,582 7,773 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 15.7% 17.3% 19.4% 14.1% 12.2% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 11 CAMConnect November 2003

12 1999 MAY ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden City Clerk Votes Cast Offices: Camden City Council, Districts 1-4 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 1,478 1,435 1, ,359 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted Contested Elections: Ward 1 Ward 3 Candidates Michael McGuire, Frank Fulbrook Frank Moran, Deborah Polk 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 10.8% 11.7% 12.1% 13.0% 6.9% Cityw ide W ard 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 12 CAMConnect November 2003

13 1999 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk, New Jersey Division of Elections Votes Cast Offices: N.J. Assembly, District 5 Joseph Roberts (DEM) Nilsa Cruz-Perez (DEM) William E. Spencer (REP) Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 1,128 1,273 1,023 1,025 4,449 % of Voting Age Population that Voted Camden City 9.0% Camden County 23.3% New Jersey 22.6% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted 15.0% 10.0% 9.0% 8.9% 10.7% 8.5% 7.9% 5.0% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 13 CAMConnect November 2003

14 2000 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk, Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs Offices: U.S. President Al Gore (DEM) George W. Bush (REP) U.S. Senate Jon Corzine (DEM) Bob Franks (REP) U.S. Representative, District 1 % of Voting Age Population that Voted Camden City 33.9% Pennsauken 50.5% Collingswood 54.1% Haddon Twp. 69.4% Gloucester City 48.5% Camden County 53.2% New Jersey 53.7% Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Votes Cast 4,375 4,620 3,860 3,991 16,846 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted 38.9% 33.9% 34.6% 32.2% 30.8% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 14 CAMConnect November 2003

15 2000 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION COMPARISON OF CAMDEN WITH SIMILAR CITIES Population Older than 18 % of Voting Age Population that Voted Total Population Total that Voted Camden City 79,904 49,486 16, % Trenton 85,403 61,757 21, % Elizabeth 120,568 88,888 24, % Paterson 149, ,785 32, % % of Voting Age Population that Voted 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Camden City Trenton Elizabeth Paterson Source: David Lublin and D. Stephen Voss "Federal Elections Project." American University, Washington, DC and the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. 15 CAMConnect November 2003

16 2001 MAY ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden City Clerk Votes Cast Offices: Camden Mayor Camden City Council At-Large Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 2,167 2,458 1,696 1,648 7,969 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted Mayoral Candidate Total Votes Gwendolyn Faison 4,237 Gilbert Whip Wilson 3,732 TOTAL 7, % 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% 20.3% 15.9% 17.3% 13.5% 12.9% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 16 CAMConnect November 2003

17 2001 MAYOR S RACE ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS Source: Camden City Clerk Source: Camden City Clerk 17 CAMConnect November 2003

18 2001 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk, Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs Offices: N.J Governor Jim McGreevey (DEM) Bret Schundler (REP) N.J. State Senate, District 5 N.J. Assembly, District 5 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL Votes Cast 2,483 2,581 2,061 2,111 9,236 % of Voting Age Population that Voted Camden City 18.6% Pennsauken 32.7% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted Collingswood 34.2% Haddon Twp. 53.5% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 18.6% 19.6% 21.7% 17.2% 16.3% Gloucester City 35.7% 10.0% Camden County 34.6% New Jersey 37.1% 5.0% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 18 CAMConnect November 2003

19 2002 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk, Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs Votes Cast Offices: U.S. Senate Frank Lautenberg (DEM) Doug Forrester (REP) U.S. Representative, District 1 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 2,019 2,194 1,765 2,375 8,353 % of Voting Age Population that Voted Camden City 16.0% Pennsauken 32.4% 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted Collingswood 35.7% Haddon Twp. 48.8% 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% 16.8% 16.0% 18.5% 14.0% 19.2% Gloucester City 36.6% Camden County 34.6% New Jersey 35.2% 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 19 CAMConnect November 2003

20 2003 MAY ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden City Clerk Votes Cast Offices: Camden City Council, Districts 1-4 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 1, ,137 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted Contested Elections: 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 20.0% Ward 1 Candidates Michael McGuire, Gilbert Whip Wilson 15.0% 10.0% 5.0% 6.3% 8.6% 3.8% 6.3% 6.9% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 20 CAMConnect November 2003

21 2003 NOVEMBER ELECTION VOTER PARTICIPATION PERCENT OF VOTING AGE POPULATION THAT VOTED Source: Camden County Clerk UNOFFICIAL Votes Cast Offices: N.J. State Senate, District 5 Wayne Bryant (DEM) Ali Sloan-El (REP) N.J. Assembly, District 5 Camden City Ballot Question Partisan Elections Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 TOTAL 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% 25.0% 1,817 2,137 1,693 1,611 7,253 Percent of Voting Age Population that Voted % of Voting Age Population that Voted 20.0% 15.0% 14.7% 15.1% 16.7% 13.4% 13.3% Camden City 14.7% 10.0% Camden County 25% 5.0% 0.0% Cityw ide Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 21 CAMConnect November 2003

22 DETAIL WARD 1 Numbers indicate Election Districts currently in effect Number of Voters in Elections Ward District Population Over 18 May May May May *1 2 1, *1 3 1, , * , , , * Indicates that District boundaries changed as a result of redistricting in 2002 and Please see Page 5 for a comparison of the current boundaries and district numbers with those previously in effect. Note that Population Over 18 is for the current District boundaries. 22 CAMConnect November 2003

23 DETAIL WARD 2 Numbers indicate Election Districts currently in effect Number of Voters in Elections Ward District Population Over 18 May May May May , , , , , , , *2 9 1, , * Indicates that District boundaries changed as a result of redistricting in 2002 and Please see Page 5 for a comparison of the current boundaries and district numbers with those previously in effect. Note that Population Over 18 is for the current District boundaries. 23 CAMConnect November 2003

24 DETAIL WARD 3 Numbers indicate Election Districts currently in effect Number of Voters in Elections Ward District Population Over 18 May May May May , , , , , , , * Indicates that District boundaries changed as a result of redistricting in 2002 and Please see Page 5 for a comparison of the current boundaries and district numbers with those previously in effect. Note that Population Over 18 is for the current District boundaries. 24 CAMConnect November 2003

25 DETAIL WARD 4 Numbers indicate Election Districts currently in effect Number of Voters in Elections Ward District Population Over 18 May May May May , , , , , , , , , *4 10 1, * Indicates that District boundaries changed as a result of redistricting in 2002 and Please see Page 5 for a comparison of the current boundaries and district numbers with those previously in effect. Note that Population Over 18 is for the current District boundaries. 25 CAMConnect November 2003

26 APPENDIX A: CITIZEN FEEDBACK FROM OCTOBER 20, 2003 MEETING On October 20, 2003, CAMConnect sponsored a discussion on voter participation in the City of Camden. The basis for this discussion was a draft of CAMConnect s report detailing voter trends over the past six years. CAMConnect s intent in sponsoring this discussion was to bring together citizens active in the civic sector of their communities with political scientists and other experts. The discussion s attendees discussed reasons why voter turnout isn t higher, how to motivate younger citizens to vote, and the next steps for a wider discussion on civic engagement. Reasons for Voter Apathy The CAMConnect report showed that generally, Camden City s voter participation rate is significantly below that of Camden County and the statewide averages. Suggested explanations for this included: People don t have any reason to turn out, since they don t feel like they have a stake in the political process. The state takeover has increased these feelings, since the fear is that jobs created by the recovery will go largely to suburban residents and that any actions taken by City elected officials will be vetoed anyway. The shifting of power in the Camden County Democratic machine to suburban jurisdictions means that patronage jobs are harder to get, and these jobs helped to keep people connected to the political system. City residents feel like their votes are taken for granted by the machine. As one resident put it, Voting doesn t do anything for the people of the City. The powers-that-be feel like a small percentage of people vote, so they aren t responsive. Transients in neighborhoods are increasing, so there isn t as much of a community feel as there used to be in Camden. Political efficacy increases as individuals get older. Camden has a relatively young population, especially in certain neighborhoods, so voter turnout will be lower. Youth Involvement The CAMConnect report also showed that neighborhoods with a younger population voted at a significantly lower rate than those with an older population. The participants in the voter turnout forum suggested the following ways to get young people involved in the political process: Increase civic education in high school so students are aware of the different offices being contested and the stakes involved in each election. Organizations such as Freedom s Answer, which have received publicity for staffing polling locations with high school students, could be a partner in this effort. Improving education and job opportunities in trades will foster a generation of youth with a better chance at a successful career and civic responsibility. 26 CAMConnect November 2003

27 APPENDIX A: CITIZEN FEEDBACK (CONTINUED) FROM OCTOBER 20, 2003 MEETING Next Steps The participants in the discussion assessed methods to use CAMConnect s study to spark further discussion. Some of the items discussed were: Mobilize citizens around a single issue to get out the vote. Given the low rates of voter participation, a small portion of activists could make the difference in some elections (especially municipal ones). This type of mobilization could eventually lead to a coalition of different interest groups that would challenge entrenched interests. Use the data on a micro level to mobilize residents in a particular neighborhood. This would involve presentations of CAMConnect s data to different neighborhoods and suggestions for further outreach. Talk to ward leaders and committee people, as these are the individuals with the power to increase turnout in certain areas. Each committee person has his or her own agenda, but building alliances could allow for more effective organization of voter turnout efforts. 27 CAMConnect November 2003

28 APPENDIX B: ELECTED OFFICIALS FEDERAL President of the United States George W. Bush Party: Republican Phone: Fax: Washington Office: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, US Next Election: 2004 U.S. Senate from New Jersey Jon Corzine Party: Democrat Phone: Fax: Barrington Commons 208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18 Barrington, NJ Next Election: 2006 Frank Lautenberg Party: Democrat Phone: Fax: One Gateway Center Twenty-Third Floor Newark, NJ Next Election: 2008 U.S. Representative, New Jersey Congressional District 1 Robert E. Andrews Party: Democrat Phone: Fax: A White Horse Pike Haddon Heights, NJ Washington DC Phone: Next Election: CAMConnect November 2003

29 APPENDIX B: ELECTED OFFICIALS STATE Governor James McGreevey Party: Democrat Phone: Fax: State House, P.O. Box 001 Trenton, NJ Next Election: 2005 State Senate, District 5 Wayne Bryant Party: Democrat Phone: SenBryant@njleg.org 501 Cooper St. Camden, NJ Next Election: 2007 General Assembly, District 5 Joseph Roberts Party: Democrat Phone: roberts.asp AsmRoberts@njleg.org Brooklawn Shopping Plaza RT. 130 & Browning Rd. Brooklawn, NJ Next Election: 2005 Nilsa Cruz-Perez Party: Democrat Phone: cruz.asp AswCruz-Perez@njleg.org 514 Cooper St. Camden, NJ Next Election: CAMConnect November 2003

30 APPENDIX B: ELECTED OFFICIALS CITY Mayor Gwendolyn Faison Mayor's Office Phone: Market Street City Hall, Fourth Floor P.O. BOX Camden, New Jersey Next Election: 2005 City Council Phone: Fax: Next Elections: 2005 (At Large), 2007 (District) At Large Dana L. Redd Phone: City Hall: City Line: C. Louise Dobbs Phone: City Hall: City Line: Israel Nieves Phone: City Hall: Office: (Hispanic Affairs) City Line: Office of City Council 520 Market Street City Hall, Suite 201 P.O. Box Camden, New Jersey Districts 1-4 Michael McGuire, Ward 1 Phone: City Hall: City Line: Ali Sloan-El, Sr., Ward 2 Phone: City Hall: City Line: Francisco Moran, Ward 3 Phone: City Hall: City Line: Angel Fuentes, Ward 4 City Council President Phone: City Hall: City Line: CAMConnect November 2003

31 APPENDIX B: ELECTED OFFICIALS COUNTY Board Of Chosen Freeholders Jeffrey L. Nash, Director Phone: Market Street 15th Floor Camden, NJ Edward T. McDonnell, Deputy Director Phone: Market Street 7th Floor Camden, NJ Helen Albright Phone: Market Street 12th Floor Camden, NJ Annette Castiglione-Degan Phone: Market Street 8th Floor Camden, NJ Riletta L. Cream Phone: Market Street 8th Floor Camden, NJ Laurelle A. Cummings Phone: Market Street 11th Floor Camden, NJ Thomas Gurrick Phone: Market Street 12th Floor Camden, NJ CAMConnect November 2003

32 JOIN CAMCONNECT TODAY CAMConnect welcomes all organizations who share our mission and who have a presence in Camden City or can share or use information about Camden City. If you would like to join with your neighbors in CAMConnect, or would like more information about our partnership, please contact us. To obtain copies of this report, and other Camden Reports, become a member and obtain all reports on-line at OUR SERVICES Comprehensive Data at the Neighborhood, City, and State levels Data Analysis for Program Development and Marketing GIS/Demographic Analysis Technical Assistance and Training Program Evaluation/Outcomes Measurement OUR CLIENTS Community residents Businesses Policy makers Foundations Non-profit and social service providers CAMCONNECT STAKEHOLDERS Association for Children of New Jersey Camden Area Health Education Center Camden County College Camden County Council on Economic Opportunity, Inc. (OEO) Camden County Department of Health and Human Services Camden Empowerment Zone Corporation Camden Matters Camden Neighborhood Renaissance Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden City of Camden, Dept. of Planning Cooper Hospital, Family Medicine Dept. Cooper Lanning Civic Association, Inc. Cooper s Ferry Development Association Health Visions/CPAC HOPEWORKS N CAMDEN Juvenile Resource Center, Inc. Medical Mission Sisters Neighborhood Housing Services of Camden Our Lady of Lourdes Health Systems Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP) Rowan University, Urban and Public Policy Institute/COPC Rutgers University, Alliance for Environmental Wellness, Center for Children and Childhood Studies Rutgers University, Senator Walter Rand Institute Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ Virtua Health E & R Bldg., Rm. 254, 401 Haddon Ave., Camden, NJ Phone: (856) ; Fax: (856) CAMConnect November 2003