Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• Why do you think the U.S. has a low
rate of voter turnout?
• Why does the U.S. have a lower voter
turnout than most other industrialized
democracies?
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Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• Is low voter turnout a sign of “political
disease” or political “good health”?
• Who had the right to vote at the signing of the
Constitution?
• How did voting go from state to federal
control?
• What amendments have impacted voting?
• How did southern states get around the 15th
amendment?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th
• Why has voter turnout in the U.S.
declined in the last century?
•Decline in popular interest in
politics
•Decline in political party strength
•Less fraud
•Increased registration
requirements
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
Do Now:
Why does the U.S. have a lower
voter turnout than most other
industrialized democracies?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
DO NOW:
• Why does the U.S. have a lower rate of
voter turnout than most other
industrialized democracies?
• Why has voter turnout declined in the
last century?
• What factors contribute to one’s
likelihood to vote?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
Who is more likely to vote?
• Schooling
• Age
• Race
• Church-going
• Men/women
• Rich v. poor
• Regions
CHECK YOUR SKILLS (Activity: Voter
Perspective)
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
Why has voter turnout declined
since the 1960s?
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Youthfulness
Race
Political parties not as effective
People feel elections don’t matter
Increased apathy
Mistrust of government (???)
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
DO NOW:
• What factors contribute to one’s
likelihood to vote? (Big 3)
• Why has voter turnout declined since
the 1960s?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
What evidence is there that even though
we are voting less, we are participating
more?
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Polls show increase in:
Campaigning
Donating to campaigns
Contacting government officials working on
community issues
• Public demonstrations
• Protest marches more common
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• Do you believe that people misreport
their level of political participation?
• How politically active will you be?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
Where are you likely to fall?
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Inactives (22%)
complete activists (1%)
voting specialists (21%)
campaigners (15%)
Communalists (20%)
parochial participants (4%)
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• Identify 2 measures employed by
certain states to get around the 15th
Amendment.
• What is the significance of the 17th
Amendment? How did it modify the
original Constitution?
• What is the significance of the 26th
Amendment? What historical
circumstances contributed to its
ratification? How has it impacted voter
turnout?
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• What is the range of voter turnout in
presidential elections since the 1930s?
…in “midterms”?
• Why were the rates higher in the 19th
century (1860-1900)?
• Identify 2 institutional factors
contributing to non-voting.
• Identify 3 demographic factors
contributing to non-voting.
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• What has happened to voter turnout
since the 1960s? Why?
• What is the Motor Voter Act? Which
party opposed its passage? Why?
• Which party has benefited most from
the Motor Voter Act?
• How would same day registration affect
voter turnout? (at least 9 states have it
currently)
Aim: How can American political
participation be characterized?
• Identify two institutional factors that
contribute to non-voting in the United
States.
• Identify three demographic factors that
contribute to non-voting in the United
States.
• Why has voter turnout declined over
that last century?
Aim: Should voter
registration/voting requirements be
eased or strengthened?
DO NOW:
1. Identify two institutional factors that
contribute to non-voting in the United
States.
2. Identify three demographic factors
that contribute to non-voting in the
United States.
3. Why has voter turnout declined over
that last century?
Aim: Should voter
registration/voting requirements be
eased or strengthened?
Motor Voter Act (1995)
• Allows individuals to register to vote
while at the DMV (or any government
agency)
• Goal – increase voter registration
• Political Party supporting – ??
• Effect on registration- ???
• Effect on voter turnout - ???
Aim: Should voter registration
requirements be eased or
strengthened?
• Mail-in Registration
• Same Day Registration (in 10
states)
Aim: Should voter
registration/voting requirements be
eased or strengthened?
Voter ID laws
• Have been passed in several states
• Eliminate voter fraud
(impersonation)
• Party supporting - ?
• Party opposed - ? – why?
Aim: Should voter
registration/voting requirements be
eased or strengthened?
Eased
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Strengthened Status quo
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