Who Votes

1
Who Votes?

• Govt 311 Lecture 4

2
Vote-B-Gone Cartoon

• http//www.pbs.org/pov/pov2004/election/cartoons/c
  artoon.html

3
Why Do Young People Not Vote?

• Erikson Tedin p.50

4
An Economic Way of Thinking About Voting
A person will vote if the benefit is greater than
the cost
Probability of casting decisive vote x Benefit

• Benefit

Cost lt
Duty
PrDecisive x Benefit
C lt PB D
5
2008 General Election Turnout Rates
6
Why Do People Vote?

• Significance of office (FZ p.44)
• Contact by political parties
• Coverage by media
• A clear choice between candidates
• Competitive elections

7
Who Votes?

• High Socio-Economic Status or SES.
• High Income Education (Homeowners)
• The socially connected who are a part of their
  community.
• Older People
• Married Persons
• Labor Unions, Government Workers, Farmers
• Frequent Church Attendance
• People who are registered to vote

8
Turnout Should be Going Up

• According to Richard Brody
• There are higher levels of socio-economic
  status (SES) in the society
• It is easier for people to register to vote

9
Lower Costs Higher Turnout?

• Registration Deadlines Have Decreased
• Residency Requirements Have Decreased
• Some States Permit Election Day Registration
• Motor Voter (1993 NVRA)
• Provisional Balloting (2002 HAVA)
• Absentee and Early Voting

10
A Typology of Participation
11
Is Low Turnout Bad?
YES Those who vote are different from those who
do not.
NO Increased voting is a sign of discontent.