Upload
flora-price
View
213
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Why do some Americans not participate in politics?
S3 Modern Studies
Need to know
• Some groups in America participate more than others
• The reasons for this
Turnout at US elections
• “Voter turnout” = % of people eligible to vote who actually voted
• Average turnout in USA is often low compared to UK
• Turnout among ethnic minorities is even lower• E.g. 2004 Presidential Election Turnout
– Average: 60.7%– White: 60%– Black: 56%– Hispanic: 28%
What influences turnout?
• Education – higher level of education = more likely to vote
• Employment – employed people vote more than unemployed
• Age – 18-24s vote less than over 24s
• Type & frequency of election – Some states have frequent elections – puts people off– Turnout is higher in Presidential election years
• Ethnic origin – EM participation is lower than Whites
Reasons for lower ethnic minority participation
• Lack of Education= harder to understand political issues = less likely to
take an interest– Voting process + ballot paper can be confusing– average education level of Blacks + Hispanics is
lower than Whites
• Lack of EM candidates– EMs are under-represented at all levels of gov’t – Might feel that White candidates don’t understand the
needs of EMs– puts off some voters
• Apathy – Some voters are apathetic = not interested in
politics– Many EMs have poor life chances (e.g.
poverty, unemployment, bad housing) – Do not believe gov’t will improve their lives =>
no point in participating
• Language barrier (Hispanics)– Most campaigning, media coverage and gov’t
docs are in English– Non-English speakers might not understand
or feel excluded– E.g. many Hispanics speak Spanish as 1st
language
• Did not register to vote– Americans must register weeks in advance– Registration is voluntary NOT automatic
=> have to be motivated to do it– Registration is lower among EMs due to
education, apathy, lack of faith in politicians…