POLS 207 1st Edition Lecture 13 Outline of Last Lecture II Individualistic democratic government III Forms of public participation A voting B talking C organizations D public meetings E contributions F campaigning IV surveying research and polling V shortcomings and polling Outline of Current Lecture VI participation in voting VII explanations of nonvoting VIII Factors associated without turnout A socioeconomic status B interparty competition C tradition culture D legal requirements Current Lecture Participation o Uncommon o Participants are not representative of population People who participate do not mirror society Moderates are less likely to vote participate in elections Electoral support for Texas governor o Highest turnout is George bush 18 turnout o lowest was rick Perry 10 turnout United States voter turn out rate is 54 very low Explanations of nonvoting o Alienation These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor s lecture GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes not as a substitute what does it matter attitude o Cost benefit Math equation cost of voting time money etc must be lower than actually voting for people to show up to vote o Satisfaction Why do Americans vote less o Lack of party group linkage Democratic party catch all party no group unity or one solid issue Republican single few issues known that unify the party o Registration restrictions Federal gov requires increase in registration time Photo ID law Initially to restrict voting as well o Non compulsory voting In certain countries if you don t vote you get fined o Voter exhaustion Too many positions to vote for and too many elections to vote in City county sheriffs mayor school board members justice of peace etc Turnout for voting decreasing since 1960s Voting going up since 2002 but still lower than in 1960 Voting turnout in the southern states will always be lower than the national average because of traditionalistic political culture Why don t Texans vote o Political socialization Institutions of socialization in Texas family schools churches mass media and others do not encourage the states children to be politically active Texans are taught to accept the political system not to participate in it o Political party system Voter turnout tends to be higher in those states where political parties are more competitive and better organized While party competition in the south including Texas has increased in recent years as the republican party has become more active parties in Texas remain weak and voting levels are still below the rates that prevail in the rest of the country One party system districts are gerrymandered to favor incumbents Factors associated with turnout o Socioeconomic status Income x education More based on education Blacks with same education as whites will have a higher voter turnout than the whites Asian Americans vote at the same rate or lower than Hispanics in elections Newest immigrants and not socialized to vote never voted in their own country o Interparty competition o o o Races becme more competitive and the more competitive people ar the higher turnout in voting Tradition culture Legal requirements Photo ID law Election issues