7: Voting and Elections
- Page ID
- 284317
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 7.0: Introduction
- This page details Andy Beshear's political journey as Kentucky's attorney general, where he gained prominence by challenging Governor Matt Bevin and addressing the opioid crisis through lawsuits. Beshear, a Democrat, won the 2019 gubernatorial election against Bevin by attracting a broad coalition of voters. In 2023, he secured reelection with a larger victory, making him and Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman the only Democratic statewide officials in a Republican-dominated Kentucky.
- 7.1: Voter Registration
- This page explores the U.S. voter registration process, detailing state-by-state differences, historical barriers, and the influence of the Voting Rights Act. It highlights modern practices like online and automatic registration, particularly Oregon's initiative that boosts youth participation. Challenges for college students and felons' voting rights are also discussed, alongside reforms aimed at accuracy and accessibility in voter rolls.
- 7.2: Voter Turnout
- This page analyzes factors affecting voter turnout in the U.S., including motivations, barriers, and demographic influences such as age, education, and income. It highlights organizations working to boost voter registration among young and underrepresented groups. The removal of federal approval for voting law changes has led to increased voter ID laws that complicate access for minorities.
- 7.3: Elections
- This page outlines the U.S. election process, detailing the stages, primary and caucus differences, and nomination challenges, particularly for women. It discusses campaign finance laws, PAC contributions, and nomination methods, including issues like frontloading. The dynamics of primary campaigns favor extreme positions, leading to inexperienced candidates. Effective candidate strategies, including preparation for debates, influence voter perception.
- 7.4: Campaigns and Voting
- This page outlines the strategies and factors in election campaigns, emphasizing voter outreach, fundraising, and the evolution of campaign tactics from negative advertising to social media engagement. It highlights the rising costs and negativity in campaigns, with significant investments from super PACs.
- 7.5: Direct Democracy
- This page outlines direct democracy in the U.S., contrasting it with indirect democracy and detailing its forms like initiatives, referendums, and recalls. It highlights both the empowerment of citizens to enact change, particularly on contentious issues like marijuana legalization, and the challenges they face, including conflicting federal laws, the burden of making informed decisions, potential confusion, and the influence of wealthy special interests on the processes.
- 7.6: Key Terms
- This page offers definitions for electoral terms including "ballot fatigue," "caucus," "incumbency advantage," and the "Electoral College." It elaborates on various electoral processes such as primaries, voting systems, and direct democracy mechanisms including initiatives and referendums.
- 7.7: Summary
- This page discusses U.S. voter registration laws, influenced by the Voting Rights Act and Help America Vote Act, which aim to improve access and accuracy. Voter turnout is affected by demographics, with older, wealthier people more likely to participate. It also covers the evolution of campaign finance, super PACs, and the nomination process through primaries or caucuses.
- 7.8: Review Questions
- This page covers multiple-choice questions and prompts on voter registration and electoral processes in the U.S. and other nations. It addresses the National Voter Registration Act, challenges for demographics like college students, voter age effects, and international turnout comparisons. It also examines voting behaviors, the primary election process, incumbency advantages, and direct democracy through initiatives and referendums.
- 7.9: Critical Thinking Questions
- This page explores factors affecting voter turnout and electoral participation in U.S. elections, such as primary elections' role in partisanship, social media's impact on campaigns, and the legitimacy of direct democracy via ballot initiatives. It also examines strategies to enhance voter engagement and their implications for the political landscape.
- 7.10: Suggestions for Further Study
- This page provides a comprehensive list of references on American politics and elections, covering themes such as the Hispanic electorate, presidential campaigns, political parties, voting behavior, and electoral strategies. Key authors include Marisa A. Abrajano, Morris Fiorina, and Thomas Frank, while organizations like the Center for American Women and Politics and PolitiFact contribute resources on political trends and electoral integrity.