Transcript American Government and Politics Today

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Chapter
Nine:
Voting and
Elections
Learning Objectives
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 Explain the difference between the voting-age
population and the population of eligible voters.
 Identify the factors that influence voter turnout
in the United States and evaluate the turnout
trends.
 Identify and evaluate the reasons for non-voting
in the United States.
 Discuss problems that may result from low
voter turnout.
Learning Objectives
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 Describe and explain the significance of
historical barriers to voting.
 Describe how elections are conducted,
including the various types of ballot and
methods of voting.
 Explain the function of Electoral College in
presidential contests.
Learning Objectives
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 Name and explain the significance of post-2000
electoral reforms.
 Weigh the risk of voter fraud with the value of
high voter turnout in understanding voter
registration.
Turning Out to Vote
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 Voting Age Population: 231 million
 Eligible Voters: 208.3 million
 Those who Voted: 127.5 million (55%)
Turning Out to Vote
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Turning Out to Vote
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 Effect of Low Voter Turnout
 Some
feel low voter participation is a threat to
representative democratic government.
 Others
feel it represents satisfaction with the
status quo.
Turning Out to Vote
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Turning Out to Vote
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Turning Out to Vote
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 Factors Influencing Who Votes
 Age
 Educational
attainment
 Minority status
 Income level
 Two-party competition
Turning Out to Vote
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Why People Do Not Vote
 Uninformative
Media Coverage
 Negative Campaigning
 Rational Ignorance Effect
Turning Out to Vote
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Legal Restrictions on Voting
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Historical Restrictions:
 Property requirements
 Race
 Gender
 Age
Legal Restrictions on Voting
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Current Eligibility:
 Citizenship
 Must be 18
 Residency
How Are Elections Conducted?
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The United States uses an Australian ballot, a
secret ballot prepared, distributed, and counted
by government officials at taxpayer expense.
 Office block ballot
 Party-column ballot
How Are Elections Conducted?
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How Are Elections Conducted?
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How Are Elections Conducted?
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 Voting by Mail: usually used for absentee
ballots
 Importance of Voting Machines
The Electoral College
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 Choice of Electors: state’s number of electors
equals that state’s number of senators (two)
plus its number of representatives.
 Electors’ Commitment: electors are pledged to
cast their votes for the candidate that wins in
their state.
 The ballots are counted and certified before a
joint session of Congress early in January.
 Candidates need 270 electoral votes to win.
The Electoral College
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 Criticisms of the Electoral College
 Critics
say it is elitist to not let the people directly
elect the president.
 Presidential campaigning is focused on the
states with the most electors.
 System favors smaller states.
Web Links
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 The Center for Voting and Democracy: a
source of analysis and perspective on
improving how elections are held in the United
States: www.fairvote.org.
 National Conference of State Legislatures:
Find out what different states are doing to
ensure the vote:
www.ncsl.org/programs/legismgt/elect/elect.htm.
What If…Voting By Mail Became Universal?
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Oregon is the only state that has eliminated
precinct polling places, and everyone votes by
mail.
Proponents argue that it is:
 the best way to increase voter participation
 more accurate
 cheaper
What If…Voting By Mail Became Universal?
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Critics of voting by mail argue that:
 it subverts the political process when voters
cast ballots before debates and all information
is available.
 it deprives voters of secrecy and increases
possibility of fraud.
 represents abandonment of important civic duty
of going to polls on election day.
You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting
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 Nearly every state requires individuals to
register to vote.
 Even though your vote is one of many, it adds
to the constituency represented in the national,
state, and local governing bodies.
You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting
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To register and cast a
vote, you must:
 Be a U.S. citizen
 18 years old
 Resident of the state
in which you intend to
register
You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting
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For more information on voting registration,
contact your:
 county or state officials
 party headquarters
 labor union
 local chapter of the League of Women Voters at
www.lwv.org.