Chapter 8

In this chapter, we discussed the role that voting and elections play in our polity. First, we saw the historical evolution of American elections through the lenses of an increasingly enfranchised electorate; however this was offset by the decline in voter turnout experienced during the twentieth century. Second, determinants—especially socio-economic status (SES)—were identified as influencers on who votes and who does not. Basically, a higher SES, especially education, is the single greatest determinant on the likelihood of a person’s participation in American electoral politics.

Third, the determinants of actual vote choice—who one votes for—were discussed. Party identification is the number one influencer on individual vote choice, but since the electorate’s decline in partisanship issues, candidates and events have become increasingly prescient as vote influencers. Fourth, other socio-demographic indicators, as well as issues and ideological positioning, are party specified and hence provide useful heuristics for potential voters to choose from the list of parties and candidates in any given election.

Fifth, both congressional and presidential elections were examined as cases with incumbency advantage highlighted in congressional races, as was the increased role of money within presidential primary and general elections. The focus of these efforts was placed on the recent 2008 electoral campaigns, especially at the presidential level resulting in Barak Obama’s historic victory over John McCain. Additionally, commentary was provided regarding the BCRA’s (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, a.k.a McCain-Feingold) role as a campaign finance regime to check the influence of soft money in national elections. In particular, the decline of the BCRA in the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions was highlighted as a potentially decisive factor in influencing the conduct of future campaigns.

Also, the Electoral College system for presidential election was discussed as the principal guiding feature for strategizing in presidential campaigns because it is based on a plurality principle and the states are awarded electors based on both population and equality principles (2 plus 1 or more electors per state depending on the size of its population; more populous states have more electoral votes than less populous ones).

Are you registered to vote? If not, think about doing so, but before you do, find out about the procedures: the act of registering itself. What happens when you move, if you are ever convicted of a felony, if you serve in the military, etc.? If you do this you will get a sense of some of the complex issues dealing with this almost sacred act of representative democracy: the right to vote! Write a report about some of the states' various voter registration requirements as well as some of their specific rules governing voting privileges and ballot processes. In your analysis identify a number of differences in these practices across a select sample of states, in particular, the states that are closest to the one you live in. Utilize your home state as your point of reference when making comparisons: What is the same and what is different between your state and nearby states relative to voting registration, ballot access, and electoral procedures?

This Nation:Voting in America

This page deals with the complexities of who in America can and cannot vote.

Project Vote Smart

Project Vote Smart is a non-partisan voting information system that provides viewers with updated evaluations of candidates voting records and summaries of their positions on the issues. Also, contains an introductory video clip that summarizes the purpose of the organization in a scenic narrative style.

Vote Trust USA

This site is for an interest group called Vote Trust whose agenda is to alter local voting laws and regulations to eliminate institutional barriers to vote and ballot access.

Federal Election Commission

This is the home page of the Federal Elections Commission, which is charged with regulating the electoral process for federal offices including the presidency, vice-presidency, Senators, and Congressmen. It includes interactive features that allow for topical based research and has an interactive electoral map of the nation that can be set for specific recent electoral cycles. You can also access electoral reports on campaign finance totals as well as look at specific races.

The Heartland Institute--E-Voting

This site contains a generally positive discussion of the potential for e-voting to solve some of the issues relating to ballot access inequalities by one of its adherents. The parent organization which sponsors the site is an interest group that is dedicated to spreading information based technologies as electoral instruments such as voting via the Internet.

2012 Presidential Election

This site at NBC News contains polling data with regard to the 2012 presidential election, including political as well as social economic and other categories of data.

Open Secrets Organization

This site is the homepage for an interest group dedicated to critically analyzing the role that campaign finance plays in our electoral processes. It also contains electoral and polling analyses of various electoral cycles, including the 2012 presidential race. The site’s empirical analyses are simplistic but informative, it does promote a normative agenda and the viewer should keep that in mind when reviewing its content. The site also contains a video clip discussing the issue of excessive money in our electoral system.

2014 Mid-Term Congressional, Gubernatorial, and other Elections

This site contains 40 maps and charts that explain the 2014 midterm elections, including races for House, Senate, governor, state legislature, and local office, along with a variety of important ballot measures.

The Disability PAC

http://thedisabilitypac.org/

Analysis of the president's impact on 2010 mid-terms

This video contains an interview with Bart Kerremans, a scholar of American politics at Catholic University, who answers questions regarding the perceived and real impact that peoples’ perceptions of the president will have on the outcome of the 2010 congressional races.

President Obama advertises for Democrats in 2010

This video is an advertisement given by President Obama on behalf of himself and his Democratic Party stating their respective achievements, criticizing the Republicans, and calling for popular support in the 2010 mid-term elections. Obviously, this is a biased presentation but it can be used to show case the direct involvement of the presidency in the modern electoral process and serve as a talking point for class discussion.