Chapter Nine:

Voting and Elections

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Learning Objectives

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.

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Learning Objectives

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.

 

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Learning Objectives

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.

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Turning Out to Vote

Voting Age Population: 231 millionEligible Voters: 208.3 millionThose who Voted: 127.5 million (55%)

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Turning Out to Vote6

Turning Out to Vote

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.

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Turning Out to Vote8

Turning Out to Vote9

Turning Out to Vote

Factors Influencing Who Votes Age Educational attainment Minority status Income level Two-party competition

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Turning Out to Vote

Why People Do Not Vote Uninformative Media Coverage Negative Campaigning Rational Ignorance Effect

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Turning Out to Vote12

Legal Restrictions on Voting

Historical Restrictions:

Property requirementsRaceGenderAge

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Legal Restrictions on Voting

Current Eligibility:

CitizenshipMust be 18Residency

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How Are Elections Conducted?

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

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How Are Elections Conducted?16

How Are Elections Conducted?17

How Are Elections Conducted?

Voting by Mail: usually used for absentee ballots

Importance of Voting Machines

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The Electoral College

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.

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The Electoral College

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.

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Web Links

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.

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What If…Voting By Mail Became Universal?

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 participationmore accuratecheaper

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What If…Voting By Mail Became Universal?

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.

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You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting

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.

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You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting

To register and cast a vote, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen18 years oldResident of the state in

which you intend to register

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You Can Make a Difference: Registering and Voting

For more information on voting registration, contact your:

county or state officialsparty headquarterslabor unionlocal chapter of the League of Women Voters

at www.lwv.org.

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