AP US Government: Voter Turnout & Behavior - The Night Before 🌃

Hey! Let's get you totally prepped for the exam. We're going to break down voter turnout and behavior, making sure everything clicks. Let's do this!

Factors Affecting Voter Turnout

• Federalism & Elections: Remember, states have significant power 💪 over election laws (time, place, ballots, registration, district lines), but the federal government also plays a role (constitutional amendments, civil rights, campaign finance).
  • State Control: States determine the specifics of elections within their borders.
  • Federal Oversight: The federal government sets broad rules and protects voting rights.
• National vs. State Elections: National elections (presidential) usually have higher turnout due to more media coverage and public interest. 📣
  • Presidential Elections: Higher turnout due to increased media attention and public interest.
  • Midterm Elections: Lower turnout compared to presidential elections.

Voter Registration Laws and Procedures

• National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Law) 🚙: Requires states to allow voter registration at motor vehicle departments and other agencies, making it easier to register.
  • Goal: Increase voter participation in federal elections.
• Impact of Registration Rules:
  • Registration Deadlines: Strict deadlines can decrease turnout. Same-day registration increases turnout. 🗓️
    • Example: Hawaii (30-day deadline) vs. Maine (same-day registration).
  • Voter ID Laws: Strict ID laws can lower turnout, especially among marginalized groups. 🆔
    • Example: Tennessee (photo ID required) vs. Minnesota (no photo ID).
  • Automatic Voter Registration (AVR): AVR increases turnout by making registration more convenient. 🚀
    • Example: Oklahoma (no AVR) vs. Colorado (AVR).
  • Online Registration: Online options tend to increase voter turnout. 💻
    • Example: Arkansas (no online registration) vs. Wisconsin (online registration).

Voting Incentives and Penalties

• Incentives: Rewards (monetary, time off) can increase turnout, but can also be seen as coercive. 🎁
• Penalties: Fines for not voting can increase turnout, but may decrease perceived political legitimacy. ⚖️
• Examples: Paid time off in California, free transport in Maryland, voter rewards in Seattle.

Midterm vs. Presidential Elections

• Presidential Elections: Significantly higher turnout than midterm elections.
• Midterm Elections: Lower turnout, often due to lower public interest and less media coverage.
• Political Efficacy: Low political efficacy (belief that one's vote doesn't matter) can decrease voter turnout. 😔
  • Example: Republicans in heavily Democratic states may feel their vote doesn't matter.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following is the most direct result of the passage of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993? (A) An increase in voter turnout in presidential elections (B) An increase in the number of registered voters (C) A decrease in the number of polling places (D) A decrease in the power of state governments to regulate elections

2. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the difference in voter turnout between presidential and midterm elections? (A) Midterm elections are held in the summer, when many people are on vacation. (B) Presidential elections are generally seen as more important and attract more media attention. (C) Midterm elections are only for the House of Representatives, while presidential elections are for both the House and the Senate. (D) Presidential elections are held in even-numbered years, while midterm elections are held in odd-numbered years.

Free Response Question:

Explain how the following factors influence voter turnout:

• State voter registration laws
• The type of election (presidential vs. midterm)
• Political efficacy

Scoring Rubric:

• 1 point for explaining how state voter registration laws can affect voter turnout (e.g., strict deadlines can decrease turnout, same-day registration can increase turnout).
• 1 point for explaining how the type of election (presidential vs. midterm) can affect voter turnout (e.g., presidential elections have higher turnout than midterm elections due to increased media coverage and public interest).
• 1 point for explaining how political efficacy can affect voter turnout (e.g., low political efficacy can decrease voter turnout).

Factors Influencing Voter Choice

Core Influences

• Family Upbringing & Political Ideology: Major factors shaping voting behavior from a young age. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Political Efficacy: Belief that one's vote matters greatly influences participation. 💡
• Culture & Political Awareness: The more informed voters are, the more likely they are to vote.
• Party Identification: Strong party ties increase voter turnout. 🐘 🐴

Candidate Characteristics

• Candidate-Centered Elections: Elections are increasingly about the candidate's image and message, not just the party. 🌟
• Voter Response: Voters respond to candidates' image, campaign slogans, and overall vision.

Contemporary Political Issues

• Current Issues: Hot-button issues strongly influence turnout (e.g., racial tensions, COVID-19 in 2020). 🔥

Socio-Demographic Factors

• Gender Gap: Women vote slightly more than men and tend to support Democrats. ♀️ ♂️
  • Women: Often support Democrats due to views on social welfare and opposition to the death penalty.
  • Men: Often support Republicans due to views on criminal punishment and conservative fiscal policy.
• Age: Older voters have the highest turnout; younger voters (18-30) have the lowest. 👴 👶
  • Older Voters: More informed and have more to lose (investments, social security).
• Race & Ethnicity:
  • Black, Hispanic, Asian Voters: Tend to support Democratic candidates. 🟦
  • White Voters: Tend to support Republican candidates. 🟥
• Religion:
  • Protestant Evangelicals: Strong Republican support due to anti-abortion views and other social issues. ⛪
  • Catholics: Historically Democratic, but shifting towards Republican in some years.

Practice Question

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of the following demographic groups is most likely to vote for a Democratic candidate? (A) White evangelical Christians (B) Men over the age of 65 (C) African American women (D) People with high incomes

2. Which of the following best describes the concept of political efficacy? (A) The ability of a political party to win elections (B) The belief that one's vote can make a difference (C) The level of involvement in political campaigns (D) The degree to which voters are informed about political issues

Short Answer Question:

Explain how the following demographic factors influence voter choice:

• Gender
• Age
• Religion

Scoring Rubric:

• 1 point for explaining how gender can influence voter choice (e.g., women tend to vote more for Democrats, men tend to vote more for Republicans).
• 1 point for explaining how age can influence voter choice (e.g., older voters have higher turnout and tend to vote more for Republicans, younger voters have lower turnout).
• 1 point for explaining how religion can influence voter choice (e.g., Protestant evangelicals tend to support Republicans, Catholics have historically supported Democrats but are shifting).

• High-Priority Topics:
  • State and federal powers over elections.
  • Impact of voter registration laws (deadlines, ID laws, AVR, online registration).
  • Factors influencing voter turnout (political efficacy, demographics).
  • Differences between presidential and midterm elections.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple Choice: Expect questions on the effects of specific laws and demographic trends.
  • Short Answer: Be ready to explain how different factors influence voter turnout and choice.
  • Free Response: Analyze the interplay between state/federal laws, voter behavior, and political efficacy.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Skim questions first, prioritize what you know well.
  • Common Pitfalls: Don't get bogged down on one question; move on if you're stuck.
  • Strategies: Use process of elimination on MCQs; plan your FRQ response before writing.

You've got this! Go crush that exam! 💪🎉