Voting and Elections: Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy.

It is the single most important type of conventional political participation is voting. Unconventional types of participation include boycotts, protests, and picketing. Voter turnout is the proportion of the voting age (18) public that votes in an election. US voter turnout is low compared to other nations. 40% say they vote regularly, 25% occasionally, and 35% rarely vote What influences turnout. Education: higher education level leads to higher turnout. Income: higher income level leads to higher turnout. Age: those 30 and older vote more often than those under 30 Gender: women vote at about the same or a slightly higher rate than men Race and Ethnicity: Whites tend to vote more regularly than African Americans and other minority groups. Why is turnout so low? Too Busy, US workers work more hours that voters in many countries We hold national elections on Tuesdays, a working day (Why not on a weekend or make Election Day a holiday? Registration: Most people who register to vote do actually vote The major problem is that registration in low in the US. Why? Most countries place the responsibility of registration government Registration in the US is an individual responsibility States can place residency duration requirements (eg. 30 days) Only a few states allow same day registration Motor Motor Act required states to register people by mail, at driver license agencies and assistance programs Difficulties in absentee voting Too many elections, election burnout Attitudes toward voting: Is it worth the effort? Partisan Choice: several motivations often countervailing Party Identification: best predictor of candidate/party choice Straight ticket voting Ticket splitting on the rise, independents, Why? Voters may not trust either party to govern. Race and Ethnicity: African Americans vote heavily for Democrats Hispanics vote mostly for democrats but not as heavily as African Americans Asians and Pacific Islanders: more mixed, Gender: women more likely to support Democrats while men more likely to support Republicans Obama 56% among women and only 49% among men 2008 Democratic nomination, women favored Hillary Clinton (59%) over Obama (36%) Religion Income: poor vote Democratic, better off vote Republican Ideology: Liberals see government as a method of solving social problems Conservatives see the market based competition as the best approach with government as a necessary evil that can provide security Issues: retrospective voting (get the rascals out) or reward those that created prosperity Prospective: judge which party or candidate will do a better job

Types of elections: Primaries: party elections to choose which candidate will be on the partys general election ticket Open (can vote in either party primary or closed (only vote in party primary of your party) Runoff primary: some states (Texas included) require a runoff election if no candidate gets a majority of the vote (general voting rule in US is for plurality decision rules) General Elections: the general election decides which office seeker will get the office. Initiative, Referendum, Recall Initiative: voters can put a proposition on the ballot to have it voted on. (not in Texas) Referendum: legislators put a proposition on the ballot and have it voted on by electorate (available in Texas) Recall: election to have an elected official removed from office (happening in Wisconsin now but not available in Texas) Presidential Elections: Party Nominating Process varies by state and take place at different times Caucus: party members meet in small groups and select delegates to National Nominating Convention Winner-take all primaries where winner gets all delegates to National Nominating Convention (Republican Party favors this) not the Democrats Proportional primary where candidate gets delegates to National Nominating Convention in proportion to their primary vote totals The nomination process is moving toward more primary elections. This means the nomination is often decided in advance of the Partys National Convention. General election for President is actually 50 state elections that choose a slate of electors equal to the number of US representatives and Senators each state has in Congress. All states except Maine and Nebraska have a winner-take- all rule where the election winner in the state election receives all the electoral votes. Electors convene in their respective states to cast their votes. Why bother? Because electors are free to vote for whomever they want. Faithless electors Congressional elections: Incumbents usually win. Why? Name recognition of office holder. Mail to constituents, Constituent service, have staff to help, get to travel and make news, covered by media, SCARE OFF Effect many unopposed Redistricting: handled by state legislatures, try to create safe seats for their party. Gerrymandering Midterm elections: party of president may lose in midterm elections in Congress Presidential coattails: Presidential election brings out voters and may help candidates from his party to win Congressional elections Electoral Reform: Regional primaries: remove disproportionate attention of big state primaries or front loaded primaries. Campaign finance reform: limit money in politics, Citizens United going other direction Move to public funding for elections. Online voting??? Voting by mail Modernize ballots: electronic voting`