Chapter 10

Analyze how elections influence the scope of government in a democracy

Elections are the centerpiece of democracy. They can influence public policy and policy outcomes. Elections also legitimize the power of the state which, as a result, makes it easier to expand the scope of the government. The people that vote feel as though they are making difference, which expands the government even more.

Establish how elections may affect public policy and how public policy may affect elections.

Elections may affect public policy through the candidates chosen for office; once elected, officials can lean public policy towards a certain issue or public interest based on platform or personal beliefs. Elections may also affect public policy by the opportunity to vote on propositions made to directly edit public policy. On the other hand, public policy may affect elections with the interests of the people; public policy opinions on hot-button topics can make or break a candidates race if they fall from the graces of the majorit

Explain why party identification is crucial for many voters and review the decline of party affiliation since the 1950's.

It influences their vote because it provides a regular perspective through which voters can view the political world and because they generally agree with the candidates beliefs which can help them identify who they should vote for. American voters have become increasingly individualistic because of the emergence of television and candidate-centered politics, voting along party lines is less common.

Describe procedures that permit voters to enact legislation directly, such as the initiative petition and referendum.

Referendum is top-to-bottom lawmaking where voters approve or disapprove proposed legislation or amendments. Initiative petition is bottom-to-top lawmaking and puts proposed changes in state constitutions to vote if sufficient signatures (10% of the number of voters in the previous election) are obtained on petitions calling for such a referendum.

Outline the procedures of the electoral college and compare the present system with the process that was envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.

The electoral college selects the president by the voting of electors chosen by the state parties. The framers of the Constitution added this system in order to prevent the people from directly selecting the president; instead, the electors are able to decide who they want to cast their vote for. However, today, each state has as many electors as it has senators and representatives and except for Maine and Nebraska, each state has a winner-take-all system, in which electors vote as a bloc for the winner, regardless of how they feel personally. Then, the electors mail their votes to the Vice President in December, and the vote is counted when the new congressional session opens in January

Explain how elections provide regular access to political power and how the process is related to the level of political legitimacy

The electoral process provides regular access to political power because people regularly have the right to either vote in leaders or vote them out if they feel they are not being represented. Voting socializes political participation and institutionalized it. Both voting and peaceful transition of power is able to occur because the election process is universally accepted; it is politically legitimate.

Identify the conditions that must be present for true policy voting to occur.

Voters must have a clear view of their own policy positions Voters must know where the candidates stand on these issues Voters must see the differences between the candidates on these issues Voters must actually cast a vote for the candidate whose policy positions coincide with their own.

Trace the historical evolution of the American style of campaigning from 1800-2004.

The style of campaigning has changed dramatically over the years. In 1800, there were no primaries, nominating conventions, campaign speeches, or entourage of reporters involved. The two candidates running for presidency in this election were John Adams, the incumbent, and Thomas Jefferson, the challenger. Both were nominated by their parties' elected representatives in Congress. Newspapers were used for promotion, but were "little concerned with dignity, or honesty." In this election, there was a peaceful transition of power. In the 1896 election, national nominating conventions had become well established. The two candidates running for presidency were William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan. Bryan gave 600 speeches as his campaign train traveled through 26 states. On the other hand, McKinley chose to stay home in Ohio and run a "front-porch campaign." In 2004, campaigning got extremely expensive between George W. Bush and John F. Kerry. The Democrats had raised $243 million, while the Republicans garnered $286 million. During this election, there were primaries, candidate speeches, and reporters involved.

Understand the tasks that elections accomplish, according to democratic theory.

The two tasks that elections accomplish are selecting policymakers and shaping public policy. The greater the policy differences between the candidates, the more likely voters will be able to steer government policies by their choices. Whether the government pays attentions to what people think will determine how well democracy works in America. Government roles can be replaced at each election, so they are more likely to feel that it will be responsive to their needs.

Ascertain the role that voter registration procedures and requirements have played in structuring voter turnout.

Voter registration causes a lower voter turnout because people are lazy. States have he power to determine whether or not and how they register people to vote. North Dakota has no voter registration, and in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Idaho, New Hampshire, and Maine, voters can register on election day. These states ranked the highest in voter turnout. It is harder to register in the south, so they have the lowest voter turnout. The Motor Voter Act, which allows people to register to vote when applying for a driver's license, was put into place in hopes of increasing voter turnout, but it did not have this result.

Explore the reasons why voter turnout has actually declined as the right to vote was extended to new groups.

Voters are less informed, especially young voters. People don't believe that they hold political efficacy. Voter registration in America is also up to individuals rather than up to the government. There are numerous elections that Americans are told to participate in rather than in other countries where there are fewer. The candidates Americans elect hold less value than the candidates of other countries which elect a socialist or a conservative. The changes implemented by Republicans and Democrats are less substantial than the changes implemented by a differing party in a foreign country.

Identify the characteristics of voters and nonvoters.

Voters are usually the older generation, people with higher education, and they generally believe in the idea of political efficacy. They believe that ordinary people have the power to influence the government and claim that your vote matters. Also characteristics that can determine who votes are: Education, age, race, gender, marital status, union membership and believing in that voting is their civic duty. Nonvoters are typically younger people. Nonvoters are either convicted criminals and undocumented immigrants who are not allowed to vote or people who opt out of voting because they lack political knowledge/interest. Nonvoters tend to be skeptical of political efficacy because they believe that their vote does not matter and won't influence the outcome of an election.