Chapter Nine
VOTING AND
ELECTIONS
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Learning Outcomes
2
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the electoral
process in the United States, and explain how it
relates to democratic theory.
2. Discuss the factors that influence voter turnout in
the United States, and compare American voter
turnout to that of other nations.
3. Describe historical restrictions on the vote in the
United States, and explain how these restrictions
have been ended.
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Learning Outcomes
3
4. Describe the types of elections held in the United
States, and explain the constitutional reasons for
so many elections.
5. Discuss the impact of the mechanics and
technology of voting on voting turnout, vote fraud,
and the ability of citizens to trust the process.
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Introduction to Voting and Elections
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 U.S. is representative democracy
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Free and open elections
Most votes wins
Too many elections?
Voter turnout rates declining

Votes count more in local races, but these have
consistently lower turnout
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Turning Out to Vote
5
 Voting age population = 235 million people


About 55% actually go to polls
Therefore, winner of close presidential election
chosen by only one-fourth of voting-age
population
 1960 last year for good voter turnout (65%)


Presidential elections affect congressional and
gubernatorial races
Lowest turnout in local elections
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Elected by a Majority?
6
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Elected by a Majority?
7
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Turning Out to Vote
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 Effect of low voter turnout

Threat to representative democratic government
OR

Satisfaction with status quo
 Is voter turnout declining?



Actual voters
Voting age population
Eligible voters
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Voter Turnout for Presidential and
Congressional Elections, 1940-2012
9
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Turning Out to Vote
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 Factors influencing who votes
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Age
Educational attainment
Minority status
Income level
Two-party competition
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Voting in the 2008 Presidential Elections
by Age Group
11
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Turning Out to Vote
12
 Why people do not vote

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Uninformative media coverage
Negative campaigning
Rational ignorance effect

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Lack of incentive to obtain “costly” information about
politicians and political issues
Believe individual vote not important
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Voting in the 2008 Presidential Elections
by Educational Level
13
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Turning Out to Vote
14
 Improving voter turnout

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Mail-in voting
Easier registration
Early voting
Unrestricted absentee ballot
Election Day holiday
Sunday voting
National registration
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Legal Restrictions on Voting
15
 Historical restrictions:
 Property requirements
 Race
 Gender
 Age
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Legal Restrictions on Voting
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 Current eligibility/registration requirements

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Citizenship
Age 18 or older
Residency (varies by state)
Significant variance state to state
 Extension of the Voting Rights Act

2006 extension helps ensure continued voting
participation by minority groups
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Primary Elections, General Elections,
and More
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 Federal system means state and local
elections
 Nomination required to appear on ballot


By political party (caucus or convention)
By petition
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Primary Elections, General Elections,
and More
18
 Primary elections (selects candidates)
 Closed
 Open
 Blanket
 Runoff
 General elections (selects officeholders)
 Other elections
 Special elections
 Recall elections
 Constitutional or referendums
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Turnout in Selected Countries
Most Recent National Election
19
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How Are Elections Conducted?
20
 United States uses
Australian ballot


Office-block ballot
Party-column ballot
 Voting by mail
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How Are Elections Conducted?
21
 Vote fraud
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Phony registrations
Absentee voting
Relaxed registration laws
 Mistakes by officials
 Importance of the voting machine


2000 presidential election and “butterfly” ballot
Help America Vote Act
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The Electoral College
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 Choice of electors
 State’s number of senators (two) plus number of
representatives
 District of Columbia gets three
 Total number = 538
 Electors’ commitment
 Pledged to vote for party’s candidate
 Ballots counted and certified before joint session
 Candidates need 270 electoral votes to win
 If no majority, decision goes to House
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Electoral Votes by State
23
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The Electoral College
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 Criticisms of Electoral College

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Founders envisioned independent electors
Elitist to not let people directly elect president
Presidential campaigning focuses on states with
most electors
System favors smaller states
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The Electoral College
25
 Those who favor electoral system


Major parties
Less-populous states
 National Popular Vote movement
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To Vote, You Must Register
26
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