American Government Voters and Voter Behavior "No matter who you vote for, the government always gets in." Anonymous
Voter Behavior Millions of Americans do vote and their votes are influenced by a number of psychological and sociological factors. Sociological factors that impact voting can include a voter s income, occupation, education, age, and gender, as well as family, friends, and coworkers. Psychological factors are the ways a voter sees the parties, candidates, and issues in an election.
Voters and Voter Behavior FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR I. Geography. A. Solid South: traditionally Democratic, but now Republican. B. Great Plains: Republican C. Rocky Mountain region: Republican D. New England: traditionally Republican, but increasingly Democratic in recent years E. Great Lakes region: Democratic trend.
VOTER BEHAVIOR (cont.) FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR II. Other factors. A. Gender. 1. Males are more likely than females to vote Republican. 2. Females are more likely than males to vote Democratic. B. Race. 1. White: more likely than nonwhites to vote Republican. 2. Nonwhite: more likely than whites to vote Democratic. Blacks are the most loyal Democratic voters.
VOTER BEHAVIOR (cont.) FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR C. Religion. 1. Protestant: more likely to vote Republican. a.) Evangelical: Strongly Republican 2. Catholic: more likely to vote Democratic, but some slippage in recent years. 3. Jewish: more likely to vote Democratic. 4. Hindu: Strongly Democratic
VOTER BEHAVIOR (cont.) FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR Education: Grade School: Democrats High School: Slightly Lean Democrat College: Republican Grad School: Demo? Age: Younger vote Democrat 30-49 middle Older Republican (though Social Security issue is a threat to Repubs.)
VOTER BEHAVIOR (cont.) FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR Wealth C. Social class White Collar v Blue Collar 1. Lower: more likely than upper to vote Democratic. 2. Upper: more likely than lower to vote Republican.
4. Many tend to be young, college educated, with above average incomes. VOTER BEHAVIOR (CONT.) FACTORS AFFECTING VOTER BEHAVIOR V. Political party affiliation. A. Probably the strongest predictor of voting. B. However, more people probably vote the man, not the party than in the past. C. Straight ticket voting: decline in recent years though recently this changed D. Split ticket voting: increase in recent years though recently this changed E. Some party members are classified as strong, and others as weak. F. Independents. 1. Rising number- There has been a 1/3 decline in Democratic and Republican party members. 2. Some are leaners: Independent Republicans or Independent Democrats. 3. Others are pure independents, with no pattern of voting behavior. (estimated at about 12%)
The Right to Vote The Constitution contains little about the right to vote and leaves most suffrage qualifications to the States. In the nation s early history only a very few, mostly white, property owners had the right to vote. The franchise has been extended in two major ways: (1) elimination of arbitrary restrictions (2) Federal Government s increased involvement in voting matters
Suffrage and Civil Rights The 15th Amendment ensures that voting rights will not be denied because of race. The 19th Amendment insures voting rights for women Civil Rights Act of 1957, 1960 & Civil Rights Act of 1964 The basic statute that protects voting rights from race-based actions is the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Voter Qualifications Among the States Every State requires that voters be both citizens and residents. Voters must register to vote in every State but one, and residence requirements have been reduced to 30 days in most States. (California requires 15 days) New federal civil rights laws and court actions eliminated discriminatory poll taxes and literacy tests used to deny voting privileges.
Nonvoting: Idiotes from Greek, referring to those who did not participate in the political life of Athens. At least half of all eligible voters do not vote in most elections in this country. (80 million) Voter turnout for 2004 presidential election: (National stats:) At least 121.8 million ballots counted 70.4% of Registered Voters 60.7% of Citizen Voting Age Population 55.8% of Voting Age Population State rates vary widely There are many reasons why citizens don t vote but the chief reason is a lack of interest and POLITICAL EFFICACY. Approximately one in every five persons who does not vote is, in fact, legally ineligible to vote. (22 million) Who generally can t vote: 1. people in mental institutions 2. people declared mentally incompetent 3. convicted felons 4. in prison 5. dishonorably discharged veterans 6. Homeless "To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain." Louis L Amour Chaper 6, Section 4
Non Voting Solutions? "If you re listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you re a bigger moron than they are." Alice Cooper "Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don t vote." William E. Simon
Other Factors: Time-zone fallout Weather Ballot fatigue
"Half of the American people never read a newspaper. Half never voted for president. One hopes it is the same half." Gore Vidal Voters vs. Non-voters Age Socio-Economic Gender Level of Competition Corruption or Problems?