Chapter 7
Political Participation
And
Voting
Voting
Suffrage: the political science term
referring to the right to vote
Voting is a form of political
participation
Voting
 At beginning of our country, not all could vote.
Women’s suffrage and the Voting Rights Act of 1964
would ensure all citizens the right.
 19th Amendment to Constitution (1920): women’s
right to Vote
Voting
 At beginning of our country, not all could vote.
 15th Amendment to Constitution (1870): provided
specifically that the right to vote shall not be denied
or abridged on the basis of race, ethnicity, etc.
Voting
 In reality, most minorities could not vote until the
Voters Rights Act of 1965 was passed.
 Jim Crow laws, Literacy tests, etc.
Voter Turnout
 Not mandated in the United States resulting in low
turnout (some countries do require citizens to vote)
 See chart on Page 229 of textbook
Voter Turnout
 Voter turnout refers to the proportion of adult
citizens who actually vote in a given election.
 Voter turnout is greater in Presidential election years.
Registration
 Registration began in 1900
 Motor Voter Law: was signed into effect by
United States President Clinton in 1993. This act
required state governments to make the voter
registration process easier by providing uniform
registration services through drivers' license
registration centers, disability centers, schools,
libraries, and mail-in registration.
 Must be registered before you can vote
Why Some Vote & Others Don’t
Age
Socio-economic status
Education
Why Vote?
 Frequency of elections and voter
fatigue (US holds more elections
than any other nation)
 Apathy
Alienation
 Two party system
Ways to Participate in Politics
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Vote
Campaign Support
Lobbying
Letter Writing
Ways to Participate
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Community Volunteering and Support
Following the news media
Surfing and reading the web
Social movements
Protest
Utilization of social capital