How can we improve voter turnout in the U.S.?

Which of the following is least likely to vote?

• An unemployed, 21 year-old, white, single, high school dropout from Savannah, Georgia.

• A 40 year-old African American postal worker, married w/children from Detroit.

• A 38 year-old white attorney, married w/children from Boston.

Which is most likely to vote?

Registering to vote in Bloomington

Qualifications▫ 18 years old.▫ Resident of state for 30

days.▫ U.S. citizen.▫ Not in jail.▫ Not claim the right to

vote elsewhere.Go to Government Center

▫ County Clerk’s OfficeFill out FORM

Voters in the late 1700s

•White•Male•Property Owners

•Christians•Over 21 years old

•Tax Payer

Extending Suffrage

5. The 26th Amendment (1971) lowered the voting age to 18.

1. During the early 1800s, religious, property, and tax payment qualifications were gradually eliminated.

2. The 15th Amendment (1870) was intended to end race-based voting requirements.

3. In 1920, the 19th Amendment prohibited the denial of the right to vote because of sex.

4. The 1960s:

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 guaranteed the right to vote for minorities.

• The 23rd Amendment (1961) granted citizens of the District of Columbia the right to vote for presidential electors.

• The 24th Amendment (1964) eliminated the poll tax.

Voters in the 2000s

•Over 18 years of age

•U.S. citizen•Not in jail

Voter Turnout

Why people don’t vote.Cannot Voters

•In jail•Traveling•Religious

opposition•Ill •Mental illness

(institutionalized•Alien status

Do Not Voters•Inconvenient•Doesn’t matter•Lack of knowledge•I hate politicians•I don’t care

Characteristics of voters/non-voters

Voters• Higher level of income• Higher level of education• White• 35 years old or older• Married• White collar• Urban/Suburban• Northeast/Mid-West/West• Homeowner• Catholic or Jewish

Non-Voters• Lower level of income• Lower level of education• Nonwhite• Younger than 35• Single• Protestant• Blue Collar• Rural• South• Transient