Voting and Elections Study Notes

Chapter Outline

  • 7.1 Voter Registration
  • 7.2 Voter Turnout
  • 7.3 Elections
  • 7.4 Campaigns and Voting
  • 7.5 Direct Democracy

7.1 Voter Registration

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify ways the U.S. government has promoted voter rights and registration.
  • Summarize similarities and differences in states’ voter registration methods.
  • Analyze ways states increase voter registration and decrease fraud.
Overview of Voter Registration
  • All voters must register to vote, often varying greatly in complexity by state.
  • Registration purposes: helps determine eligible citizens to vote and ensure integrity of elections.
  • Irony: while governments push for increased voter participation, registration processes can hinder accessibility.
State-by-State Voter Registration
  • Voter registration laws vary significantly by state due to differing political cultures.
    • E.g., California or Florida may simplify registration while Texas or Indiana may require strict ID verification.
  • Historical context: Post-Civil War, Southern states employed barriers like literacy tests and poll taxes to suppress Black voting.
    • The Voting Rights Act (1965) aimed to end such discriminatory practices, but later court rulings diminished its effectiveness (e.g., Shelby County v. Holder in 2013).
Innovations in Voter Registration
  • Various methods introduced to enhance voter registration:
    • Oregon: Automatic registration at 18 years.
    • Arizona: First state to offer online voter registration in 2002.
  • Each state has unique logistics, costs, and security measures involved in voter registration processes.
How to Register to Vote
  • Application needed in all states (except North Dakota).
  • Requirements generally include: name, residency, sometimes party affiliation, and verification of competency.
  • Timeliness of registration varies; some allow same-day registration while others require registration up to 30 days prior to voting.
Challenges in Voter Registration
  • The National Voter Registration Act (1993) facilitated voter registration but didn't significantly boost turnout.
  • Automatic registration in states like Oregon aims to improve registration accuracy and participation.
Who Can Register?
  • Must be citizen, resident of state, and at least 18 years old.
  • Some states impose additional restrictions on felons and certain other groups.

7.2 Voter Turnout

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify factors motivating registered voters to vote.
  • Discuss circumstances preventing citizens from voting.
  • Analyze reasons for low voter turnout in the U.S.
Factors Influencing Voter Turnout
  • Voter turnout varies by demographics (age, education, income).
  • Turnout is influenced by various factors, including voting laws and political mobilization efforts (e.g., Fair Fight Action).
Measuring Voter Turnout
  • Various methods exist to calculate turnout, highlighting different electoral system issues (VAP, VEP, registered voters).
  • In the 2020 presidential election, 77% of registered voters participated, equating to 48% of total U.S. population.
Motivating High Turnout
  • Various organizations aim to mobilize specific demographics, notably youth.
  • Participation spikes in cycles with interactive and engaging campaigns (e.g., Barack Obama's 2008 campaign).
Barriers to Voting
  • Low turnout is attributed to non-mandatory voting systems, stringent registration laws, and voter ID requirements.

7.3 Elections

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the stages in the election process.
  • Compare the primary and caucus systems.
  • Summarize how primary election returns lead to the nomination of party candidates.
Stages in the Election Process
  • Elections enable citizens to select both party nominees and office holders.
  • Critical stages: candidate decision-making, navigating fundraising, primaries/caucuses, general election campaigning, and the Electoral College.
Fundraising and Campaigning
  • Candidates raise substantial amounts of money, affecting whom can effectively campaign.
  • Campaign strategies differ between initial primaries (focusing on name recognition & visibility) and general elections (contesting overall voter bases).
The Electoral College
  • Process for electing the president requires majority electoral votes (270 of 538 total).
  • Electoral votes allocated based on state population as determined by the census.

7.4 Campaigns and Voting

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Compare campaign methods for elections.
  • Identify strategies campaign managers use to reach voters.
  • Analyze the factors that typically affect a voter’s decision.
Campaign Strategies
  • Emphasis on fundraising and early contributions helps candidates build stronger campaigns.
  • Campaigning in primary elections is complex; candidates must build recognition and demonstrate issue positions effectively.
Voter Decision Making
  • Voters utilize shortcuts (party affiliation, demographic cues) for decision-making, alongside rational considerations of candidates’ past behaviors and future promises.

7.5 Direct Democracy

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Identify the different forms of and reasons for direct democracy.
  • Summarize the steps needed to place initiatives on a ballot.
  • Explain the rationale for some policies being enacted by elected representatives and others by voters.
Overview of Direct Democracy
  • Direct democracy allows citizens to propose laws, amend constitutions, remove officials, and hold referendums.
  • The effectiveness is based on citizens engaging actively in the legislative process, although it can lead to issues like misinformation or influence from wealthy interest groups.