Chapter 5 Participation and Elections: Democracy in Action

Political Participation

Actions by ordinary citizens designed to influence their government

Two categories of Political Participation

Conventional participation & Unconventional participation

Conventional participation

common, lawful actions such as voting, donating, joining groups, or contacting officials

Unconventional participation

protest-based actions challenging institutions (boycotts, sit-ins, marches).

Participation is irregular and uneven

only a small fraction of people stay consistently engaged

Voting

remains the most frequent—but least individually impactful—form of participation

Democracy as an Idea

Derived from “demos” (people) + “kratos” (rule).

Classical democracy

emphasized equality in law (isonomia) and speech (isogoria).

Modern liberal democracy

protects rights, encourages participation, and provides lawful avenues to influence policy

Representative democracy

citizens elect officials who “refine and enlarge the public views.”

• Framers feared “the tyranny of the majority” (Federalist No. 10).

Direct democracy

citizens vote directly on laws and policies

Direct democracy exists only

at state and local levels, most common in western, populist states.

Direct democracy core tools

referendum, initiative, recall

Direct Democracy Tool: Referendum

• Voters decide on a proposal placed before them—usually an amendment or law from the legislature.

• Example: Texas voters approve amendments that are all legislature-referred, not citizen-initiated.

Direct Democracy Tool: Initiative

• Citizens petition to place a proposed law or amendment on the ballot, bypassing the legislature.

• Began as a Progressive-era reform to curb elite power; now often used by organized interest groups.

Direct Democracy Tool: Recall

• Allows voters to remove an elected official before term end.

• Distinct from impeachment (a legislative process).

• 36 states permit some recall; only 19 apply to state-level offices.

• Texas: no recall for state officials, though many “home-rule” cities allow local recall.

Advantages of Direct Democracy

1. Increases accountability and responsiveness.

2. Encourages public debate and higher turnout.

3. Allows citizens’ groups to bypass politicians

4. Builds trust and reduces alienation.

Disadvantages of Direct Democracy

1. Can lead to “tyranny of the majority.”

2. Voters may lack policy knowledge.

3. Polarization and interest-group dominance.

4. Weakens compromise and trust in government.

Voting involves two decisions:

Whether to vote and how to vote

Voting carries costs

Time & effort

Paradox of voting

Individual benefit rarely outweighs cost, yet many still vote from civic duty or efficacy

Registration laws

create barriers: proof of eligibility, documentation, advance deadlines

National Voter Registration Act (1993)

“Motor Voter Act”—requires deadlines ≤ 30 days before federal elections

Some states offer

same-day or automatic registration; Texas does not.

Voting-eligible population (VEP)

excludes noncitizens and disenfranchised felons

Average turnout

~50% presidential, ~35% midterm, 10–25% local

Higher turnout

older, educated, higher-income, married homeowners

Lower turnout

younger, less educated, low-income, and transient groups

Turnout influence

Historical Voting Barriers

Poll taxes, literacy tests, grandfather clauses, and white-only primaries excluded minorities.

Civil Rights Act (1964)

banned unequal registration standards

24th Amendment (1964)

ended poll taxes

Voting Rights Act (1965)

enforced the 15th Amendment, suspending discriminatory barriers.

• Section 5 (Preclearance) 

• Section 4 (Coverage formula) 

Section 5 (Preclearance)

required federal approval of voting-law changes in “covered” jurisdictions

Section 4 (Coverage formula)

identified those jurisdictions

Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

struck down coverage formula—ended active preclearance.

Brnovich v. DNC (2021)

Weakened Section 2, narrowing definition of discrimination.

Allen v. Milligan (2023)

Upheld Section 2 protections

Voter ID Laws

Require identification to cast a ballot

Strict Voter ID Laws

demand specific ID

Non-Strict Voter ID Laws

Allow alternatives (affidavit, signature).

Voter ID Laws Supporters

cite election integrity

Voter ID Laws Opponents 

cite disenfranchisement of poor and minority voters

Mail and Absentee Voting

Some states offer universal mail-in voting; others require an “excuse.”

Mail and Absentee Voting Issue

COVID-era innovations

drive-thru or 24-hour voting later restricted in some states

Tyranny of the Majority

When majority rule infringes on minority rights

Political Efficacy

Belief that one’s participation can influence political outcomes

Political Culture

Shared state-level beliefs about government’s role—affects turnout and policy style