Post on 25-Dec-2015
American Government American Government and Organizationand Organization
PS1301PS1301
Tuesday, 16 SeptemberTuesday, 16 September
OutlineOutline
Midterm one week from todayMidterm one week from today
Please bring Orange scantrons.Please bring Orange scantrons.
The problem of low voter turnoutThe problem of low voter turnout
Reforms to increase turnoutReforms to increase turnout
Vote ChoiceVote Choice
Sample Question #1Sample Question #1
The framers of the U.S. Constitution wanted to a. ensure majority rule over the minority. b. prevent the suppression of minority rights. c. keep the states more powerful than the
federal government. d. both b and c.
Sample Question #2Sample Question #2
Which of the following protects minority rights? a. Two-thirds vote in both houses for passing
constitutional amendment b. Separation of powers c. Bi-cameral legislature d. Federal system e. All of the above
Sample Question #3Sample Question #3
The American political system is based on the principle of a. Majority rule b. Preservation of minority rights c. Direct democracy d. All of the above
Sample Question #4Sample Question #4
Liberals are more likely to support policies which: a. retract government efforts to achieve
greater equality b. call for totalitarian rule c. restrict suffrage to only non-conservatives d. actively promote individual equality e. all of the above
Role of PartiesRole of Parties
Link to Link to George Bush’s websitGeorge Bush’s websitee
The John Kerry campThe John Kerry campaignaign
Why is voter turnout so low?Why is voter turnout so low?
Difficulty of registrationDifficulty of registration
Lack of convenienceLack of convenience Early votingEarly voting Absentee votingAbsentee voting Vote by mailVote by mail
Voter AttitudesVoter Attitudes
Electoral SystemElectoral System
Changing demographicsChanging demographics
Why then would anyone vote?Why then would anyone vote?
Voting is the most common form of political Voting is the most common form of political participationparticipationMany people also talk about politics and try to Many people also talk about politics and try to persuade others to votepersuade others to voteVery few participate in any other specific way.Very few participate in any other specific way.
Types of ReformsTypes of Reforms
Increase Convenience, Reduce CostsIncrease Convenience, Reduce Costs
Liberalize Absentee LawsLiberalize Absentee Laws
Vote only by MailVote only by Mail
Same day registrationSame day registration
Compulsory voting (increase costs of not voting)Compulsory voting (increase costs of not voting)
Increase Voting Efficacy – make people feel better about Increase Voting Efficacy – make people feel better about votingvoting
Term limitsTerm limits
Change Electoral System (to PR)Change Electoral System (to PR)
Intended ConsequencesIntended Consequences
Increase overall turnoutIncrease overall turnout
Reduce inequalitiesReduce inequalities
Improve efficacyImprove efficacy
Enhance legitimacyEnhance legitimacy
Voting by MailVoting by Mail
OregonOregon Already high proportion of absentee votingAlready high proportion of absentee voting
Makes voting more convenientMakes voting more convenient
Does it increase turnout?Does it increase turnout? Sometimes – (in low saliency elections)Sometimes – (in low saliency elections)
Among which groups does it increase turnout?Among which groups does it increase turnout?
What is likely effect of Internet voting?What is likely effect of Internet voting?
Comparing Turnout in Vote only by Mail and Polling Comparing Turnout in Vote only by Mail and Polling Place Elections (1986-2000)Place Elections (1986-2000)
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Presidential MidtermGeneral
PresidentialPrimary
MidtermPrimary
SpecialStatewide
(ballotmeasures)
Local RacesCandidates and
Issues
Polling Place Vote Only by Mail
Registration RequirementsRegistration RequirementsSame day registration MN, ME, WI, ID, NH, WY
No registration North Dakota
30 days prior to elections Alaska, Arkansas, Dist. of Columbia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Pennsylvania
Between 15 – 29 days before election California, Kansas, South Dakota, Delaware, Massachusetts, Utah, West Virginia, Maryland, Oregon, New York, North, Carolina, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Virginia, Colorado, Vermont
Other registration requirementsOther registration requirements
Must be resident of state in which you register Must be resident of state in which you register (sometime municipality)(sometime municipality) E.g. Utah requires must be a resident for 30 days E.g. Utah requires must be a resident for 30 days
prior to electionprior to election
Texas requirementsTexas requirements Must be resident of co. in which apply for registrationMust be resident of co. in which apply for registration Must be 17 and 10 months to register and 18 to voteMust be 17 and 10 months to register and 18 to vote Must not be finally convicted of a felony. May register Must not be finally convicted of a felony. May register
if pardoned, after discharge from correction institution, if pardoned, after discharge from correction institution, or after period of probation.or after period of probation.
Registration Requirements and Registration Requirements and TurnoutTurnout
Registration seen as a barrier to higher turnout; Reforms Registration seen as a barrier to higher turnout; Reforms intended to relax registration requirementsintended to relax registration requirementsNational Voter Registration Act, 1993 (Motor Voter Bill)National Voter Registration Act, 1993 (Motor Voter Bill)
mandating states to offer on- the-spot voter registration at mandating states to offer on- the-spot voter registration at various government agencies various government agencies
Same Day RegistrationSame Day Registration The six states with same-day registration (MN, ME, WI, ID, NH, The six states with same-day registration (MN, ME, WI, ID, NH,
WY) in general have higher levels of turnoutWY) in general have higher levels of turnout If campaign becomes close/interesting in final 30 days, citizens If campaign becomes close/interesting in final 30 days, citizens
do not have chance to registerdo not have chance to register But concern about voter fraudBut concern about voter fraud
Compulsory VotingCompulsory Voting
Examples of Countries:Examples of Countries:Australia (1924)Australia (1924)
GreeceGreece
Belgium (1892)Belgium (1892)
LuxembourgLuxembourg
MexicoMexico
Netherlands (1917-1967)Netherlands (1917-1967)
Belgium and Australia have strict Belgium and Australia have strict enforcement, Mexico and Greece weakenforcement, Mexico and Greece weak
Impact of Compulsory Voting on Impact of Compulsory Voting on Turnout in AustraliaTurnout in Australia
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
10019
01
1906
1913
1917
1922
1928
1931
1937
1943
1949
1954
1958
1963
1969
1974
1977
1983
1987
1993
1998
First Compulsory Voting Election
Sanctions for non-voting in Sanctions for non-voting in compulsory voting countriescompulsory voting countries
The numbers listed in the column for Type of Sanction stands for different types of The numbers listed in the column for Type of Sanction stands for different types of sanctions. These are as follows:sanctions. These are as follows:1. Explanation. The non-voter has to provide a legitimate reason for his/her 1. Explanation. The non-voter has to provide a legitimate reason for his/her abstention to avoid further sanctions, if any exist. abstention to avoid further sanctions, if any exist. 2. Fine. The amount varies between the countries, for example 3 Swiss Francs in 2. Fine. The amount varies between the countries, for example 3 Swiss Francs in Swtzerland, between 300 and 3 000 ATS in Austria, Swtzerland, between 300 and 3 000 ATS in Austria, 3. Possible imprisonment. The non-voter may face imprisonment as a sanction, 3. Possible imprisonment. The non-voter may face imprisonment as a sanction, however, we do not know of any documented cases. This can also happen in however, we do not know of any documented cases. This can also happen in countries such as Australia where a fine sanction is common. countries such as Australia where a fine sanction is common. 4. Infringements of civil rights or disenfranchisement. It is for example possible that 4. Infringements of civil rights or disenfranchisement. It is for example possible that the non-voter, after not voting in at least four elections within 15 years will be the non-voter, after not voting in at least four elections within 15 years will be disenfranchised in Belgium. In Bolivia the voter is given a card when he/she has disenfranchised in Belgium. In Bolivia the voter is given a card when he/she has voted so that he/she can proof the participation. The voter would not be able to voted so that he/she can proof the participation. The voter would not be able to receive his/her salary from the bank if he/she can not show the proof of voting during receive his/her salary from the bank if he/she can not show the proof of voting during three months after the election.three months after the election.5. Other. For example in Belgium it might be difficult getting a job within the public 5. Other. For example in Belgium it might be difficult getting a job within the public sector if you are non-voter, or difficulties obtaining a new passport or driver's license sector if you are non-voter, or difficulties obtaining a new passport or driver's license in Greece. There are no formal sanctions Mexico or Italy but possible arbitrary or in Greece. There are no formal sanctions Mexico or Italy but possible arbitrary or social sanctions. This is called the "innocuous sanction" in Italy, where it might for social sanctions. This is called the "innocuous sanction" in Italy, where it might for example be difficult to get a daycare place for your child or similar but this is not example be difficult to get a daycare place for your child or similar but this is not formalised in any way at all. formalised in any way at all.