Chapter 7 Gov

Explain the Registration Requirements in the US. List devices used to depress voter turnout.

-Americans must be registered in order to vote and it is their responsibility for registering, whereas in most other democracies voters are registered automatically by government officials. -Unlike other democracies, the US does not encourage voting by holding elections on the weekend or by imposing penalties, such as fines, on those who do not participate. -requirements are set by state governments -In most states, a citizen must reside at an address for a minimum period before becoming eligible to vote. -States with a tradition of convenient registration laws have higher turnout than other states (Idaho, Maine, Minnesota), typically those in the South. - DEVICES: VOTER ID cards serves to depress voter turnout, government issued PHOTO ID

Discuss the future of Participation and the Potential for Influence

-Most citizens are not highly active in politics. -Most Americans expect to solve their problems on their own rather than through political action. -Ironically, lower-income citizens are the least likely to vote or engage in collective action because they lack the financial resources and communication skills that encourage participation in politics -Those who have the most power in the marketplace also have the most power in the political arena.

Unconventional Activism: Social Movements and Protest politics

-When democratic govs came into existence, citizens had a regular and less disruptive way to express themselves, thru voting. -Social movements/political movements are a way for citizens disenchanted with government to actively express their opposition. These efforts are channeled through conventional forms of participation, such as political lobbying, but citizens sometimes take to the streets in protest against government. -social movements force government into action. -Protests were traditionally a desperate, spontaneous act; today, protests are usually a planned event to bring added attention to a cause. -Protest activity is less common today in the US than in many western democracies; public support for protest activity is low in the US -Protest is part of America's tradition of free expression.

Low voter turnout in US elections compared to other democracies is explained by...

1. Differences in registration requirements (Americans must be registered in order to vote and it is their responsibility for registering, whereas in most other democracies voters are registered automatically by government officials.) 2. frequency of elections 3. differences in the political party systems (US has an absence of a major labor or socialist party)

civic attitudes

Apathy typifies some citizens. Other Americans refrain from voting because of alienation. Many of these citizens regard voting as a waste of time, convinced that government won't respond to their concerns even if they do vote. In contrast, some Americans have a keen sense of civic duty (these citizens tend to vote more regularly). These attitudes are acquired from ones parents.

List factors that correspond with why some Americans vote and other do not.

Education and Income, age, and civic attitudes

Explain how the Frequency of Elections in the US impacts the turnout of voters.

Election schedule and registration system places a burden on voters. US holds elections more often than other nations. Citizens are Asked to vote 2-3 times as often as Europeans, which increases the likelihood that they will not participate every time. Scheduled during the middle of the work week= no time for citizens to get to the polls.

Campaign and lobbying activities

One reason Americans are more active in campaigns even though they vote less, is that the US is a federal system with campaigns for national, state and local offices. Many opportunities to participate. Support for political groups-monetary contributions, contacting lawmakers, attending public rallies, working for a candidate (ex. Greenpeace, Common Cause, AARP, Christian Coalition of America)

Virtual Participation

Political participation through the Internet; emails, chat rooms, and social networks has created virtual participation possibilities. Participation involves contact w/friends, acquaintances and activists. -Internet participation peaks during presidential campaigns to promote candidates -internet fundraising -Several groups have built online organizations -Not entirely positive; Internet is contributing to political polarization; interactions with like-minded people contributes to higher participation rates, but can also lead to uncompromising views on political issues.

When did registration for voting begin?

Registration began during the Progressive Era around 1900. It began as a way to prevent voters from casting multiple ballots in the same election. There was a great deal of fraudulent voting at this time in American history. Yet since this time, turnout has declined because registration has added an extra burden on voters.

civic duty

The belief of an individual that civic and political participation is a responsibility of citizenship.

registration

The practice of placing citizens names on an official list of voters before they are eligible to exercise their right to vote.

voter turnout

The proportion of persons of voting age who actually vote in a given election.

social capital

The sum of the face to face interactions among citizens in a society.

Age

Young adults are less likely than middle-aged and older citizens to vote. The difference is greater in local and state elections than in presidential elections; only a small percentage of young adults vote regularly in local elections.

Conventional Forms of Participation other than voting include...

campaign and lobbying activities, virtual participation and community activities

political participation

involvement in activities intended to influence public policy and leadership, such as voting, joining political groups, writing to elected officials, demonstrating for political causes, and giving money to political candidates (activities contribute to functioning democratic society) -US has low levels of voter participation compared to other Western democracies, however it has relatively high levels of citizen participation in political and civic organizations. (Very ironic)

Unconventional political activism includes...

participating in a social movement, taking part in a political demonstration or march, practicing civil disobedience

Americas lower turnout is largely the result of...

registration requirements , the frequency of elections and photo ID/ voter ID cards

In European democracies, voting registration is whose responsibility?

the responsibility of government officials

List the order in which different groups of people gained suffrage

1. Limited to property owning white males 2. Women with the passage of the 19th amendment 3. African Americans post Civil War with the passage of the 15th amendment 4. Citizens 18 years of age or older post Vietnam War with the passage of the 26th amendment

apathy

A feeling of personal disinterest in or lack of concern with politics.

alienation

A feeling of personal powerlessness that includes the notion that government does not care about the opinions of people like oneself.

social (political) movements

Active and sustained efforts to achieve social and political change by groups of people who feel that government has not been properly responsive to their concerns.

List the common political participation activities

Activities contribute to a functioning democratic society; voting, joining political groups, writing to elected officials, demonstrating for political causes, giving money to political candidates

15th amendment

African Americans gained the right to vote after the Civil War (1960s). They were disenfranchised in the South by intimidation and electoral trickery, including whites-only primaries, rigged literacy tests, and poll taxes

Community Activities

Citizens can join community groups, work to accomplish community goals, and let officials know their opinions on community matters. This offers citizens a substantial degree of control over the timing and extent of their participation. -People must be motivated to become involved. -Citizens are involved in community affairs through local organizations such as volunteer work, parent-teacher associations, neighborhood groups, business clubs, church-affiliated groups, and hospital auxiliaries. -Citizens have greater control over local policies - citizens of European democracies do not participate in community actives like Americans do

Education and Income

College educated and upper income americans have above average voting rates. They have financial resources and communication skills that encourage participation.

What is the Motor Voter Act?

In 1993, in an effort to increase registration levels nationwide, Congress enacted a voting registration law known as the "motor voter". It requires states to allow people to register to vote when applying for a drivers license or public assistance.

19th amendment

Women gained the right to vote (1920)

26th amendment

extended voting rights to include citizens 18 years of age or older (1971)

suffrage

the right to vote

Which group has the lowest voter turnout level?

young adult Americans