chapter 8 political participation and voting
continued
- Gender and Participation• Today women register and vote similar to or higher than those of men. The ongoing gender issues in American politics is best exemplified by the gender gap- a distinctive pattern of male and female voting decisions in electoral politics.• In 1980 Women tend to vote Democrat while men vote republican.• In 1980 men vited vor Ronald Regan while women used the incumbent Democratic present Jimmy Carter• 2004 Bush won 44% of women vote• In 2008 women voted strongly for democrats• Women are more likely than men to oppose military activities, especially war and are more likely to support social spending.• One key development in gender politics is growing number of women in elective office• Men have advantage over women in incumbent.• Senator Hilary Clinton strong campaign for the Democratic with the selection of Sarah Palin vice president.• Women are good with education and health care and are more skilled at striking compromises• Males more capable of dealing with national security and defense and with crime and public safety. - Age and Population• Older people have much higher rate of participation than young people.• Long-standing trend: older voters highest turnout rate; youngest voters, lowest• One reason why younger people vote less is that political campaigns have rarely targeted young voters.• Another reason they target old people is that elderly are better organized to participate then young people• Young people share the concerns of older people in economy, but but they have positive views in the role of the gov and express support for stronger environmental laws, funding for public education and colleges and more tolerance for personal freedoms• Strong intention in community service - Religious• For many citizens religious groups provide an organizational infrastructure for political participation, especially around special group concern• Religious institutions' mobilization around issues and ideology; not only to benefit of GOP.• Many candidates make direct overtures to voters targeting their religious identity
Describe the patterns of participation among major social groups: African-Americans; Latinos; Asian Americans; Women; Age; Religious identity..
- focus on turnout and partisanship for each group - African AmericnWidespread of poll tax, literacy tetsts, and other measures such as the white primary deprived African American from voting• 13 percent out of 2012• Clergy helped call themselves the SCLC.• Students also were a key role, (SNCC)• In 1960 4 black students went to get lunch and sit on a table in which they were prohibited to• The victories of civil rights movement made blacks full citizens and stimulated a tremendous growth in the number of black public officals at all levels of gov, as black exercised their new found political rights• Legal barriers as the poll tax and the white primary were removed in the 1960s, black participation shot up with rates of turnout aprroaching those of southern whites as early of 1968• Strong ties to Democratic Party since 1960s• Voting rights, desegregation, civil rights agenda• Will blacks continue to vote as a bloc, given the sharp economic differences that now divide the large middle class from an equally large group of deeply impoverished african americans?• Blacks have shown that they will vote cohesively• In the decades after the Civil war blacks were republican, "The party of Lincon"• When Franklin Delano Rosevelt rean for presidency in 1932, many black voters joined the coalition, through many social programs that composed the new deal, redefined by the democrati party, but gov itself.• Blacks have chosen Democrat candidates.• Today, turnout more than Latinos, less than whites• Low turnout factors: income, education, state laws, low mobilization by both parties - LatinosLargest minority in USA • 16 out of 100 in 2010• Analysts called the Latinos "Sleeping Giant"• Because they had low levels of political mobilization• One reason for this was the low rate of natrulization, which meant that many latinos, as non citizens were not eligible to vote.• Who were eligible, turnout rates were low.• Rapid population growth, increased political participation, and uncertainty party attatchment all magnify the importance of the Latino vote• Latino registration and turnout • has been lower than those of whites and African americans, these numbers have been steadily increasing• In 2008 a record of 9.57 million Hispanics voted , accounting of 7.4 national vote.• Latinos have tended to favor the Democrats in national elections, though not as strongly as the African Americans• Republican believe latinos are more conservative on issues like abortion, marriage and religion• Established political ties with both parties• Cuban Americans with GOP; Puerto Rican and Mexican American with Democrats• In 2004 Latinos supported Repulicans and president Bush with winnings upard of 44% of Latino votes• But in 2006- 2008, Latinos went back to Democrat with the opposition of Republicans on opposition of immigration.• President Obama has actively recruited Latino voters• Evidence showed in 2009 made Sonia Soto mayor to be the first Latina Supreme Court Justice• Also made 2 latinas in his cabinet to set a record of Mexicans in his cabinet• Obama also expanded the health insurance which was more popular in the Latino community because the lack of health insurance• Also reached out by using Spanish speaking media, held its first bi lingual White house press• Latinos stayed with democrats 70%• Not to deport young people who came to the US as children of illegal immigrants• Latinos were disappointed in Obama 4 year administracion that more illegal immigrants were deported than during eight years of Bush• Low turnout factors: income, education, state laws, party competition, low mobilization - Asian americans• Smaller group then whites, Latinos or African americans• Compressing 4.8 percent of the US population• While it is just 5% nationally it is 13.4% in just California• Vote similar to whites• No national group dominates among Asian american population, and their diversity has impeded the development of group based political power.• This diversity means it is how Asians form different national backgrounds and experiences in the US• They have united most effectively around issues like in-group diversity and geographic diffusion make group cohesiveness difficult, low mobilization, noncompetitive states• Turnout rates among Asian Americans have been generally lower than those of other groups, though they have been gradually increasing, in 2008 47.6 percent of Asian Americans turned out to vote• They are Democratic
State electoral laws - impact on voting -
a) Registration a. An important factor reducing voter turnout in the United States is our nations unique state by state patchwork of registration rules• In most democracies in the world the process is automatic registered to vote• But the United States has 2 step process• 1. Registering to vote, then b=vote• Every State in the USA except North Dakota, you must register before voting• Progressives hoped to make voting difficult, to reduce multiple voting and other forms and other forms of corruption, and to discourage immigrant and working class voters form going to the polls so political parties would be more responsive to middle class voters and professionals• In some states registration requirements reduced voter turnout by 50%• Usually young people move a lot abd change residencies and registration requirements place a burden on them b) Felony prohibition on voting a. Barrier to voting is committing a felony c) Voter id laws a. Proof of identity b. Must show identification c. 31 states require all voters to show ID before voting in polls, 15 states must provide voting in polls, 15 states must provide photo verification, remaining 16 non photo verification d) Tuesday elections vs. weekend elections a. US voting days is on a Tuesday Sometimes countries make it due on a holiday
Does online participation lead to offline participation? 6 possible reasons - information; accidental exposure; unique characteristics of digital media; diversity of sources on line; lowers barriers for entry; enables new forms of political expression
a. Easier to access on internet because its 24hr b. Online users might accidently engage involved politics c. Format advantages- images, interaction, and unlimited space. EX: in 2012 when senate candidate Elizabeth Warren made a YouTube video on rebutting taxing the wealthy is "class welfare" d. Diversity of sources and voices- while online news is dominated by mainstream outlets, the web is populated also by the range of information sources that reduce the impact of distance, making foreign media or media the appeal mainly to a narrow segment of the population easily available to everyone e. Lowers entry barriers, making it easier for people to participate in ways that require less effort. By its very nature online political participation occurs in ways that are less location dependent then traditional politics. The internet facilitates participation that is potentially broad, but with looser connections between participants than in more traditional networks of coworkers. EX: is Facebook sending information that has less hyperlinks. Encourage only moderate political interest. Also forwarding an email f. Citizen journalism: blogs, video, social media
When did online participation emerge as important in American politics? Impact of 2008 campaign...
a. In 2008 democrats in particular use internet strategies that did more than just duplicate online efforts to mobilize supporters, and citizens made use of the internet to research the candidates and issues about their campaign b. Over half of Americans used internet to learn about the candidates
Voter participation - 15th, 19th, 24th, and 26th amendments to the constitution - what are these and why are they relevant to voting?
a. In the south created the 15th amendment enfranchises black men (1870) which prohibited denying the right to vote on the basis of race b. Women won the right to vote in 1920 with the 19th amendment c. 26th amendment lowers age to 18 (1971)- was not a response to demands of young people to be given a chance to vote d. 24th amendment ends poll taxes (1964)
1. Differentiate between traditional and online participation - list typical activities for each..
a. Online participation- includes visiting a candidate's website, organizing events online, signing an online petition b. Internet offers a two-way form of communication with feedback. Rather than one-way communication like reading the newspaper or watching the news. Posting about things about political stuff will count as participation. In 2004 president election Howard Dean made significant use of the internet c. Only 4% of likely voters went online for election information in 1996, a full 61% of American voters reported looking for information looking online or discussing politics d. Another 19% were active online and 76% reported little. If this trend keeps happening greater overall levels of political interests and activity
Mobilization -...competitive elections - congressional safe seats vs. competitive races; electoral college impact - battleground vs. non-battleground state
a. Political mobilization- Process by which large numbers of people are organized for a political activity• Donald green and greber discovered the importance of human personal contact for mobilized voters. • Face to face interaction was more productive then mail and phone calls• Personal contacted boosted a turn out by 9.8%• Direct mail caused only a 0.6 increase in voting, calling had no effect• Phone calls that were very chattier and more informal increase turnout by 5%• Face to face contact increase 8.5%• Text messaging very powerful in youth increased by 2.1% turnout• On day of election 4.6%• Political party machines have declined since twentieth century• Political parties fundraise and advertising organizations than mobilizers for people• During 2008 campaign democrats built more extensive organization to contact and turn out voters than did Republicans• Candidates went door to door to boost their campaign• Obama win in Iowa relied more with direct voter mobilization.won 700 offices in battle ground states• These victories in primaries led the Obama campaign to create a nationwide organization paid staff and volunteers for the general election, rather than focusing on battleground states.• 2004 Bush stragety was successful volunteers to make calls go door door, write letters, but that stragety didn't work in 2008• The marriage of technology, money, early voting and field organization led to win battleground states and become precedent of future elections• Social movements, intrest groups, and political parties have generally reduced their efforts at direct mobilization• Just use them as money
Role of 1) individual characteristics 2) political context; 3) state's electoral laws
a. Status in society based on level of education, income, and occupational prestige b. Participate more in politics than do those with less education and less income c. Education major factor in predicting whether an individual vote d. People who are more affluent, have money, time, education participate effectively e. Education: highest impact because influences so many other factors correlated with voter turnout information, efficacy, and, of course, income f. Young people are less likely to vote then older people g. Individual characteristics also taken account h. People who are in a party Republican or Democratic are likely to vote i. Whether or not you have resources or are engaged depends on social setting- what their parents were like, whom they know, what assosiations they belong to. j. In US churches are one important social institution for helping foster political participation. Through their church activities people learn civic skills to prepare them to participate in politics k. Robert PUnman says there is less communities organizations which explains low participation l. Political mobilization- Process by which large numbers of people are organized for a political activity m. Donald green and greber discovered the importance of human personal contact for mobilized voters. n. Face to face interaction was more productive then mail and phone calls• Personal contacted boosted a turn out by 9.8%• Direct mail caused only a 0.6 increase in voting, calling had no effect• Phone calls that were very chattier and more informal increase turnout by 5%• Face to face contact increase 8.5%• Text messaging very powerful in youth increased by 2.1% turnout• On day of election 4.6%• Political party machines have declined since twentieth century• Political parties fundraise and advertising organizations than mobilizers for people• During 2008 campaign democrats built more extensive organization to contact and turn out voters than did Republicans• Candidates went door to door to boost their campaign• Obama win in Iowa relied more with direct voter mobilization.• These victories in primaries led the Obama campaign to create a nationwide organization paid staff and volunteers for the general election, rather than focusing on battleground states.• 2004 Bush stragety was successful volunteers to make calls go door door, write letters, but that stragety didn't work in 2008• The marriage of technology, money, early voting and field organization led to win battleground states and become precedent of future elections• Social movements, intrest groups, and political parties have generally reduced their efforts at direct mobilization• Just use them as money• An important factor reducing voter turnout in the United States is our nations unique state by state patchwork of registration rules• In most democracies in the world the process is automatic registered to vote• But the United States has 2 step process• 1. Registering to vote, then b=vote• Every State in the USA except North Dakota, you must register before voting• Progressives hoped to make voting difficult, to reduce multiple voting and other forms and other forms of corruption, and to discourage immigrant and working class voters form going to the polls so political parties would be more responsive to middle class voters and professionals• In some states registration requirements reduced voter turnout by 50%• Usually young people move a lot abd change residencies and registration requirements place a burden on them
Who is most likely/less likely to engage in online political participation and why?
a. The young ages of 18- 29 were more likely than middle aged and older respondents to be engaged in presidential electoral activities online b. 22% were highly engaged and 43% were moderately active c. In comparison of older age groups (age 60 and older) only 5% were active online
Current trends in voter turnout? Who votes and who doesn't? why? Cost/benefit approach..
a. Turnout- the percentage of individuals who are eligible to vote b. Americans turnout rate is low c. 60% national average presidential elections d. 33% national average off- year national races. Significant state and regional differences Lower turnout in local elections
