Voter Turnout & Influences

Voter Turnout and Influences

Structural Barriers

  • Policies or laws that can either prevent or encourage voting.

  • Example: Voter ID laws.

    • Republican-dominated states often enact these laws.

    • Republicans argue it decreases voter fraud.

    • Democrats suggest voter fraud is not a significant issue and these laws suppress minority votes.

Political Efficacy

  • A citizen's belief in the impact of their vote.

  • Low political efficacy:

    • Feeling that one's vote doesn't matter in a heavily one-sided state.

    • Disappointment with a politician's performance after being elected.

  • High political efficacy:

    • Politicians fulfilling promises.

    • Potential shift in a state's political alignment.

Demographics

  • Senior citizens:

    • Consistently vote in higher numbers.

    • Possible reasons: better understanding of the political system, increased awareness of issues and implications, greater financial or health stakes.

  • 18 to 21 year olds:

    • Least likely to vote.

    • Possible reasons: lack of understanding of issues, lack of registration, or lack of knowledge on where to vote.

Type of Election

  • National elections:

    • Higher participation compared to state and local elections.

    • Example: 66.2% voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election (Pew Research data).

  • Midterm elections:

    • Lower turnout compared to presidential elections.

    • Example: 53.4% voter turnout in the 2018 midterm elections (Pew Research data).

    • Midterm elections are congressional elections held halfway through a presidential term.

  • State and local elections:

    • Even lower turnout.

Factors Affecting Voter Choices

  • Party Identification and Ideological Orientation:

    • Registered Republicans tend to vote Republican.

    • Similarly, those with a liberal ideology tend to vote Democrat, and conservatives tend to vote Republican.

  • Candidate Characteristics:

    • Voters consider likability, trustworthiness, and honesty of candidates.

  • Contemporary Political Issues:

    • Current issues, such as employer mask mandates or voter ID laws, can influence voter choices.

  • Religious Beliefs, Gender, Race, and Ethnicity:

    • White evangelicals often vote as a bloc.

    • Women are more likely to vote Democrat, while men are more likely to vote Republican. These are observed trends.