Voting Patterns of the Electorate

Who votes for whom?

Who is more likely to go out and vote?

• Elderly or teenagers? Why?

• Higher or lower educated? Why?

• White or minority? Why?

• Lower or higher income? Why?

• Suburbs or rural? Why?

• Unmarried or married? Why?

Elderly, more time & more issues

Higher, know/aware more on issues

White, bigger % of population

Higher, want to keep money, usually more edu

Suburbs, more $ and more education

Married, encourage spouse to vote

Most Important Indicator:

Why?More Aware, more involved, care about issues, have time/ability to vote,

More Education lead to more money!!

What issues are important to:

• Elderly?−Social security, health care &

prescription drugs, driving rights, assisted living and nursing home care, fixed income ~ taxes.

• Women?−Child advocacy, education,

safety/security, equal opportunity, abortion, custody & divorce issues, health insurance

What issues are important to:

• Suburbs?−School districts, safety, drugs,

property taxes, commercial zoning, roads & sanitation

• Minorities?−Affirmative action in jobs & college,

due process of law, representation, gang influence on children

What issues are important to:

• Less Fortunate?−Welfare, food stamps, health

insurance, college assistance, jobs, home ownership

• 18-24 years old?−College loans, job market,

lowering the drinking age, representation, interest rates, health & car insurance

What issues are important to:

• Religious?−Anti-Abortion, Death Penalty,

Euthanasia, Prayer in Schools

• Unions?−Job security, health insurance,

retirement planning, worker’s compensation

• 30-40 years old?−Savings for retirement & children’s

future, mortgages, health & life insurance, job security, education,

How do politicians pick the issues they campaign on?

Politicians focus on issues that are important to people who go out and vote. Call, write a letter or send an email to your representatives and let them know what issues are important to you, the VOTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What is a democrat?a person who believes:

• in the political or social equality of all people.

• the government should have a bigger involvement in the lives of every citizen.

• there should be government funded programs to help those who cannot help themselves.

• there should be laws and regulations protecting the environment and natural resources.

What is a republican?

a person who believes:• in true capitalism, where the people own

business, earn as much as they want, with little government involvement.

• people need to take care of themselves and not rely heavily on government involvement.

• in the sanctity of marriage, innocent life, and strong family values.

• promoting the health of the economy, and business is more important than saving species and land.

Use these Characteristics1.Conservative

2.Urban (City)

3.Minorities

4.Big Business Owners

5.Unions

6.Public School Teachers

7.Wealthy

8. Elderly

9. Fundamental Christians

10. Immigrants

11. Environmentalists

12. Suburban (residential)

13. 18-24 year-olds

14. Less Fortunate

15. Military

16. Homosexuals

Who would most likely vote:

• Republican:

−Wealthy−Elderly−Conservative−Fundamental

Christians−Suburban

[residential]−Big Business

Owners−Military

• Democrat:

−Less Fortunate−Minorities−Immigrants−18-24 year olds−Urban [city]−Union−Environmentalists−Public School

Teachers−Homosexuals