UNIT 5 POLITICAL PARTICIPATION

Unit V: Political Participation

5.1 Voting Rights & Models of Voting Behavior

  • 2020 vs 2024: Major Youth Gender Gap

    • National vote choice of youth ages 18-29 in presidential elections:

    • 2024:

      • Harris: Young Women: 58%, Young Men: 43%, Nonbinary/Other Youth: 82%

      • Trump: Young Men: 41%, Young Women: 41%

    • 2020:

      • Biden: Young Women: 65%, Young Men: 56%

      • Data for nonbinary youth in 2020 is not available; may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

5.1 Learning Objectives

  • Voting Rights Protections:

    • Describe voting rights protections in the Constitution and legislation.

  • Voting Behavior Models:

    • Describe different models of voting behavior.

The Voting Amendments

  • 14th Amendment: Granted citizenship to all persons born/naturalized in the U.S., including formerly enslaved people.

  • 15th Amendment: Granted African American men the right to vote.

  • 17th Amendment: Changed method of electing Senators to direct vote by the people.

  • 19th Amendment: Granted women the right to vote.

  • 24th Amendment: Eliminated poll taxes, a barrier to voting.

  • 26th Amendment: Lowered the voting age to 18.

The Expanding Electorate

Structural Barriers & Progress Through Law

  • Literacy Test: Outlawed by the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

  • Poll Tax: Outlawed by the 24th Amendment.

  • Grandfather Clause: Outlawed by the Supreme Court in 1915.

  • White Primary: Outlawed by the Supreme Court in 1944.

Key Legislation

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964: Outlaws arbitrary discrimination in voter registration practices.

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965: Includes a preclearance provision later ruled unnecessary in Shelby County v. Holder (2013).

Voting Models

Rational Choice Voting

  • Voter examines issues/candidates and evaluates campaign promises to decide how to vote.

    • Example: Senior citizens voting in favor of Social Security benefits.

    • Note that some vote against self-interest due to larger issues.

    • Example: Non-college-educated wage earners support Trump despite potential harm from policy.

Retrospective Voting

  • Voters evaluate a candidate based on their voting record and past accomplishments.

  • In open seats, voters will consider party performance or candidates' previous jobs.

  • Current economic conditions influence voting; bad economies favor opposition parties.

Prospective Voting

  • Citizens anticipate the future impact of candidates’ policies.

  • Example: Bernie Sanders's platform of free college tuition and a $15 minimum wage garnered support based on future benefits.

Straight Ticket Voting

  • Voters with party loyalty tend to vote for candidates from their registered party.

  • Registration with a party can make it easier to predict voting habits.

    • Statistics:

    • 95% of Democrats voted for Biden.

    • 94% of Republicans voted for Trump.

Candidates and Issues Impacting Voter Choice

  • Candidate characteristics, personality, integrity, competence affect voting.

  • Candidate-centered campaigns often focus on individual achievements rather than party loyalty.

  • Example: In the Alabama Senate Race (2016), candidate Roy Moore faced allegations of misconduct that shifted public opinion and allowed Democrat Doug Jones to win.

5.2 Voter Turnout
Learning Objective

  • Explain the roles of individual choice and state laws in voter turnout.

Essential Knowledge

  • Structural Barriers:

    • Impact of polling hours, absentee ballot availability, etc. on voter turnout.

  • Political Efficacy: The belief that participation matters can influence turnout.

  • Demographics: Differences in voter turnout influenced by age, gender, political engagement, etc.

    • State election differences include poll hours, voter ID laws, registration procedures, and election types (higher turnout in presidential elections).

5.2 Voter Turnout (Statistics)

  • November 2024 General Election: 153 million people voted, 64% of eligible voters.

  • Patterns of turnout across elections (2018-2022):

    • Influence of party affiliation on voting:

    • Democratic and Lean Democratic: 37% who voted in all three elections.

    • Republican and Lean Republican: 49% who voted.

Voting & Nonvoting

  • Voter turnout defined: Actual votes cast vs. total voting-age population.

  • Turnout rates historically around 50% (1972-2000); surged to 66-67% for the 2020 election.

  • Trends in demographics:

    • Suburban voters for Biden.

    • Trump increased appeal among Hispanic voters.

    • Electoral coalitions for Biden resemble Hillary Clinton's coalition.

    • In presidential elections, turnout is highest compared to midterms.

    • 36% in 2014 midterms; 52% in 2022 midterms.

Why People Do Not Vote

  • Reasons include illness, childcare, lack of ID, voter apathy, and long lines.

  • Low political efficacy often leads to feelings of disenfranchisement.

  • Satisfied with the government or past support for losing candidates can contribute.

    • Democrats believe that increasing voter turnout could benefit their party.

Demographics

Gender

  • The gender gap reflects political view differences:

    • Women oppose the death penalty, favor government spending more, and tend to vote Democratic.

    • Historical trends show women voting at higher rates than men since 1980.

    • Male voting percentage in 2020: 50% Trump, 48% Biden; 55% women for Biden.

Age

  • Young voters (18-29) have the lowest turnout due to undeveloped views and lack of investment in political issues.

  • Notable turnout spike in 2008 (46% for ages 18-30).

Voting Patterns Among Young Voters

  • Increasing diversity in voting preferences over generations.

    • Patterns indicate shifts towards Democratic support although less than in past elections.

Senior Citizens' Voting Trends

  • Senior citizens exhibit high voting turnout, often due to more at stake (Medicare, Social Security).

  • 76% turnout for the 2020 election.

  • Distribution of votes: 52% for Trump, 48% for Biden.

Voter Turnout by Ethnic Groups

  • Majority of Biden’s votes came from younger, racially diverse voters:

    • 2020 Election Composition: 67% for Biden; various demographics noted across generations.

Voter Patterns in Elections (2016, 2018, 2020)

General Observations

  • Minorities show an increasing turnout trend, with varying support across ethnic lines.

  • For example, Latino and Asian American turnout increased significantly.

Voter Registration and ID Laws

  • National Voter Registration Act (1993) simplified voter registration, allowing registration at the DMV.

  • 34 states have some form of ID laws; criticism arises as these laws can disenfranchise lower socio-economic groups.

Government Policies Affecting Voting

  • The Help America Vote Act (2002) set standards for election processes and introduced electronic voting measures.

Conclusion**

  • Understanding the evolution of voting rights and behavior models is crucial in analyzing American politics and ensuring equitable access to the democratic process.