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
Likelihood of Voting Interest Low High
High Alienation or Intimidation Model Citizen
Low Apathy Manipulation
11
Is Low Turnout Bad?
YES Those who vote are different from those who
do not.
NO Increased voting is a sign of discontent.