1.6 Voter Turnout

15th Amendment

Eliminated race as a qualification for voting.

19th Amendment

Eliminated sex as a qualification for voting.

24th Amendment

Banned the poll tax as a qualification for voting.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Eliminated literacy tests as a qualification for voting.

26th Amendment

Eliminated the minimum voting age of 21.

Current voting qualifications

Set by states including citizenship, residency, age, registration, and photo ID laws.

Voter turnout in the United States

Approximately 55% in presidential elections and 30-40% in midterm elections.

Institutional barriers to voting

Registration, type of election, voter ID laws, and restrictive absentee voting requirements.

National Voter Registration Act of 1993

Also known as ‘Motor Voter Bill’, aimed to increase voter turnout by simplifying registration.

Political reasons for low voter turnout

Include lack of political efficacy, dissatisfaction with candidates, and weakness of parties.

De-alignment

A trend where fewer voters identify strongly with a political party.

Characteristics of likely voters

Higher educational achievement, higher income, older age, and racial demographics.

Apathy in voting

A general disinterest in politics or the belief that voting does not matter.

Cynicism in voting

The belief that there is no difference between candidates, leading to decreased voter turnout.

Absentee voting requirements

Regulations that can restrict the ability of voters to vote when not physically present.

Voter ID laws

New trend requiring identification to vote, which can potentially reduce turnout.