state and local politics 2

rational choice Vs. Civic duty

rational Choice

• assumes individuals act based on self-intrest

• people weigh cost vs. benefit

• they choose what maximizes their personal gain

• Ex. a person decides not to vote bc their single vote is unlikely to change the outcome

Civic Duty

• ideas abt citizenship & responsibility

• people act bc they feel a moral obligation

• focuses on common good not personal gain

• motivated by values like responsibility. loyalty, or patriotism

death penalty

Does it deter crime?

“if executing one person prevents multiple murders is it worth it”

Europe abolished it

political participation

ways individuals & groups take part in political prosesses to influence govt decisions, policies, leaders- voting, campaigning, protests

electoral college

Voters vote

• when people vote they vote for a group of reps called electors

Electors cast votes real votes

• each state has a certain # of electors based on reps. in congress (house + Senate)

• 538 votes

Majority wins

• andidate needs 270 to win

• winner takes all in most states, that candidate who wins the pop vote gets all the electoral votes

• swing states matter more: more attention in campaign

• not always the same as pop vote: can win w/out pop vote

electoral college vs. democracy

Indirect system

• balance of power between small states

• encourages national campaign: must appeal to multiple regions not just big states

• pop vote can be ignored

• focuses on swing states

the expansion of the vote

• only white men could vote

• Early 1800’s- property requirements removes

• 15th- black men right to vote

• 19th- women right to vote

• 24th- banned poll tax

• VRA 1965- outlawed racial discrimination that preventing voting

• made US more democratic

• Increased political participation

felony disinfeanchisment

• removing the right to vote based off of felony conviction

• when someone is convicted of a felony states might- Suspend voting rights temporarily, Extend restrictions through parole or probation, Permanently remove voting rights

• no single rule each state gets to make up rule

poll tax in Florida

Florida Amendment 4

• Passed by voters in 2018

• Restored voting rights to most people with felony convictions after completing their sentences

• In 2019, Florida passed a law requiring people to pay all fines, fees, and restitution before their voting rights are restored.

• Some call it Poll Tax- Conditions voting on ability to pay, Disproportionately affects low-income individuals, Functions similarly to a poll tax in practice

voter fraud

• refers to illegal actions intended to interfere with the outcome or integrity of an election usually by casting votes that shouldn’t count or tampering with the voting process.

• very rare

A fraud on the public

• harm to the public not just one person

• fraud on the court

• actions that disrupt the judicial proceed

• deceptions that harm society

dominion voting systems vs. Fox News network

• after the 2020 election, false claims circulated that dominion voting machines were used to rig or flip votes/ seal the election

• claims were prompted by political figures

• Dominions argument

• fox aired false statements claiming its machines were involved in election fraud

• executives and hosts knew or should have known the claims were false

• the statements severely damages dominions business and rep

• Foxes defense

• argued it was reporting on newsworthy allegations made by public figures

• it invoked the 1st amendment right (freedom of speech and press)

• settlement

• fox agreed to pay 787.5 million to dominion

expansion of the vote- Amendments

• 15th (1870)- prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude

• 19th (1920)- women the right to vote

• 23rd(1961)- gave residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections

• 24th (1964)- Banned poll taxes in elections

• VRA (1971)- outlawed discriminatory voting practices like tests, allowed federal oversight in areas with a history of discrimination

• 26th (1971)- lowered voting age to 18

John lewis- VRA

• most important law in US history for protecting and expanding access to vote

• during civil rights movement law aimed to enforce the promises of the 15th amendment

• even after the 15th amendment tactics like literacy tests, poll taxes, intimidation and violence

• Debate about- Voter ID laws election access & security, federal vs. state control over elections

public opinion- political Attitudes & participation

• The collective views of individuals on public issues, leaders, and policies

• measured through polls, shifts based on events, media, and leadership, goods politicians where to campaign

• political attitudes

• are underlying beliefs and values that shape public opinion

• views on govt, taxes, healthcare, edu.

• political participation

• way people take action in politics

• voting, campaigning, volunteering, protests, donating

• Attitudes shape public opinion

• public opinion influences participation

• participation affects govt. decisions and policies