“The Traditional Right”

Support Bush 72%-17%US should use preemptive strikeGay relationships are “morally wrong”Religion should play more important role in governmentOppose affirmative actionTax cuts are best way to stimulate economy

LiberalLiberal ConservativeConservative

SecularSecular

ReligiousReligious

“Traditional Conservatives”16%

“The Traditional Left”

LiberalLiberal ConservativeConservative

SecularSecular

ReligiousReligious

Support Kerry 79%-8%US should not use preemptive strikeSupport gay rightsPro-immigrationPro-affirmative actionOppose tax cuts as economic policyBasic health insurance is a right

““Traditional Liberals”Traditional Liberals”32%32%

“The Secular Center”

“Secular Centrists”29%

LiberalLiberal ConservativeConservative

SecularSecular

ReligiousReligious

Split evenly for President (42% Bush, 41% Kerry)Strongly supports gay rightsSupports free tradeBelieves strongly in separation of church and stateOppose affirmative actionLess supportive of environmentLess likely to believe basic health insurance is a right

“The Religious Center”

““Religious Centrists”Religious Centrists”23%23%

Lean Bush 51%-34%Support affirmative actionSupport the environmentGay relationships are “morally wrong”Religion should play more important role in governmentHighest concentration of African Americans and Latinos

LiberalLiberal ConservativeConservative

SecularSecular

ReligiousReligious

The Political Personality of a New Generation

“Traditional Liberals”32%

“Traditional Conservatives”16%

“Religious Centrists”23%

“Secular Centrists”29%

LiberalLiberal ConservativeConservative

SecularSecular

ReligiousReligious

Politically Inactive LL CCSS

Pessimistic OptimisticLL CCRRSS

Democrat RepublicanLL CCRRSS

Liberal ConservativeLL CCRRSS

Political Personality Index

RR Politically Active

L=Traditional LiberalsR=Traditional ConservativesR=Religious CentristsS=Secular Centrists

Gay Rights

ConservativeCCRRSSGay Rights

Liberal

Not Religious ReligiousLL CC RRSS

Foreign PolicyLiberal

Foreign PolicyConservative

LL CCRRSS

Economic PolicyLiberal

Economic PolicyConservative

LL CCRRSS

Domestic PolicyLiberal

Domestic PolicyConservative

LL CCRRSS

Political Personality Index

LL

What are Voters Looking For?

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“How to Rig an Election”The Economist

Redistricting

“In a normal democracy, voters choose their representatives. In America, it is rapidly becoming the other way around.”

• Most countries hand over redistricting to an independent board

• America: Every 10 years after a census, state legislature redraw congressional boundaries to be approved by the state’s governor

Effect of Voting Rights Act

• Majority-minority districts– Goal: chance for minorities to elect a

candidate of the same race

Partisan Redistricting

• Software allows for detailed electoral maps, geographic information systems

• Goal of incumbent protection: safety first• Reelection rate of 98%• Lack of competition depresses voter turnout• Categories of districts

1. Safe seats where incumbent almost assured of victory

2. Competitive districts where the parties focus their resources