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

Age and TurnoutAge and Turnout

Role of Age and EducationRole of Age and Education

Who Voted in 2000?Who Voted in 2000?

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.