Unit 5

Unit 5: Political Participation

Chapters 15-20

Chapter 15: Voting Rights and Voting Behavior

• Voting in the Early Republic

  • In the early years of American democracy, voting was initially limited to white male property owners.

  • Expanding suffrage was a significant aspect of the political evolution in the United States.

• 15th Amendment

  • Ratified in 1870, this amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

• 19th Amendment

  • Ratified in 1920, this amendment granted women the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the women’s suffrage movement.

• 23rd Amendment

  • Ratified in 1961, this amendment grants residents of the District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections by allocating electors in the Electoral College.

• 24th Amendment

  • Ratified in 1964, this amendment prohibits the use of poll taxes in federal elections, ensuring that voting rights cannot be restricted through financial barriers.

• 26th Amendment

  • Ratified in 1971, this amendment lowers the voting age from 21 to 18 years, reflecting changing societal views on youth participation in democracy.

• Rational Choice Voting

  • This voting theory posits that voters make their choices based on a comparison of the expected outcomes and personal benefits. Voters calculate the costs and benefits involved in voting, considering the likelihood of their vote impacting the election.

• Retrospective Voting

  • This voting behavior relies on the evaluation of a candidate's past performance. Voters assess how well a candidate or party has performed and make decisions based on that assessment, often asking "Are we better off now than we were?".

• Prospective Voting

  • Unlike retrospective voting, prospective voting focuses on future policies and what candidates promise to do if elected. Voters look forward and evaluate which candidate's platform aligns best with their future expectations.

• Party-Line Voting

  • This occurs when voters choose candidates solely based on their affiliation with political parties. For instance, voters may consistently support Democratic or Republican candidates in elections regardless of individual candidate qualities or positions.

• Voter Turnout

  • Refers to the percentage of eligible voters who participate in elections. Voter turnout is influenced by various factors, including election importance, voter registration, and socioeconomic status.

• National Voter Registration Act (NVRA)

  • Enacted in 1993, the NVRA aims to enhance opportunities for every American to register to vote and to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. It requires states to provide voter registration services at the same time as applying for a driver's license or certain social services.

• Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

  • Passed in 2002 in response to the contested 2000 presidential election, HAVA provides funds to states to help them improve their voting systems and to ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. The act aims to make voting more accessible and to reduce the potential for electoral fraud.

• Voter ID Laws

  • These laws require individuals to present specific forms of identification before they are allowed to vote. The rationale behind these laws is to prevent voter impersonation and increase public confidence in elections. However, they have been criticized for potentially disenfranchising certain groups of voters, particularly minorities and low-income individuals.

• Crawford v. Marion County Election Board

  • A landmark Supreme Court case involving Indiana's voter ID law, where the court upheld the law, ruling that state interests in preventing voter fraud justified the requirement for photo identification. The decision raised important discussions about the balance between election integrity and voter access.