Unit 5: Political Participation Study Guide

Political Participation Study Guide

Voter Rights and Behavior
The Franchise

The term "franchise" refers to the right to vote, also known as suffrage. This foundational aspect of democracy has evolved through various amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Constitutional Amendments Related to Voting

  • 14th Amendment: This amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and ensures equal protection under the law. It laid the groundwork for expanding civil rights and served as a legal basis for several landmark cases against discriminatory voting practices.

  • 15th Amendment: Enacted after the Civil War, this amendment prohibits states from denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, primarily aimed at enfranchising formerly enslaved men.

  • 17th Amendment: This amendment established the direct election of U.S. senators by popular vote, enhancing the responsiveness of the Senate to the electorate.

  • 19th Amendment: Ratified in 1920, it granted women the right to vote, marking a significant expansion of the electorate and the culmination of the women’s suffrage movement.

  • 24th Amendment: Banned poll taxes in federal elections, which were used to disenfranchise low-income voters, especially among African American communities.

  • 26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, reflecting the argument that those eligible for the draft should also have the right to vote.

Voting Models

Voting models explain the various theories behind voter behavior:

  • Rational Choice Voting: Voters select the candidate they believe will provide the most benefit to them based on their policies or outcomes.

  • Retrospective Voting: Decisions are based on the past performance of candidates or parties; voters evaluate previous actions and results.

  • Prospective Voting: Voters choose candidates based on their promises and proposed future actions.

  • Straight Ticket Voting: Reflects party loyalty where voters select all candidates from one political party on the ballot.

Voter Turnout

Voter turnout pertains to the percentage of eligible voters who cast ballots during elections. It can be influenced by several factors, including:

  • Interest in the election

  • Registration requirements

  • Demographic characteristics such as age, race, and education.

Structural Barriers to Voting

Structural barriers are systemic hindrances that complicate voter participation:

  • Voter ID laws

  • Limited availability of polling locations

  • Complex registration processes

Political Efficacy

Political efficacy is the belief that one's participation can make a difference in political matters. Higher levels of political efficacy often lead to increased voter turnout.

Demographics

Demographics involve characteristics of the population like age, race, income, and education, significantly impacting voting behavior:

  • Party Identification: Refers to long-term loyalty to a party, a strong predictor of voting behavior.

  • Candidate Character: Traits such as integrity and leadership qualities influence voters' decisions.

  • Contemporary Issues: Current events and significant policy debates (e.g., healthcare, climate change) affect voting.

  • Social Demographics: Patterns relating to race, class, religion, and geography shape political alignment and participation.

Linkage Institutions

Linkage institutions connect citizens to their government by shaping public opinion, selecting candidates, and influencing policy:

  • Political Parties: Transform political beliefs into platforms and facilitate electoral choices.

  • Interest Groups: Aim to influence policy by advocacy and lobbying efforts.

  • Media: Plays a crucial role in informing the public and shaping political debates.

  • Elections: Provide a mechanism for citizen participation and representation in government.

Campaigning and Elections

The electoral process involves a series of steps through which candidates must navigate:

  • Primary Elections: State-level elections help parties choose candidates for the general election, which can be open (anyone can vote) or closed (only registered party members vote).

  • General Elections: The main event where voters decide on candidates across various offices.

  • Election Day: Held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, this day determines the outcome of elections and electors through the Electoral College.

Campaign Finance

Campaign finance involves the regulation of monetary contributions to candidates. Important components include:

  • Hard Money: Regulated funds directly contributing to candidate campaigns.

  • Soft Money: Unregulated contributions for party-building activities that are banned at the national level by laws such as the BCRA.

  • Super PACs: Independent expenditure-only committees that can raise unlimited funds but cannot coordinate with candidates directly.

Media's Role in Politics

The media functions as an essential channel for political engagement by providing information, scrutinizing political actors, and shaping public discourse. However, it can also contribute to misinformation and polarization.

Supreme Court Case: FEC v. Citizens United

Facts: Citizens United aimed to air a film critical of a candidate and argued against restrictions on political spending.
Ruling: The Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend unlimited money on independent political expenditures, emphasizing political spending as free speech under the First Amendment.
Impact: This decision led to the rise of Super PACs and heightened concerns about influence in elections.