Why do some Americans not participate in politics?

S3 Modern Studies

Need to know

• Some groups in America participate more than others

• The reasons for this

Turnout at US elections

• “Voter turnout” = % of people eligible to vote who actually voted

• Average turnout in USA is often low compared to UK

• Turnout among ethnic minorities is even lower• E.g. 2004 Presidential Election Turnout

– Average: 60.7%– White: 60%– Black: 56%– Hispanic: 28%

What influences turnout?

• Education – higher level of education = more likely to vote

• Employment – employed people vote more than unemployed

• Age – 18-24s vote less than over 24s

• Type & frequency of election – Some states have frequent elections – puts people off– Turnout is higher in Presidential election years

• Ethnic origin – EM participation is lower than Whites

Reasons for lower ethnic minority participation

• Lack of Education= harder to understand political issues = less likely to

take an interest– Voting process + ballot paper can be confusing– average education level of Blacks + Hispanics is

lower than Whites

• Lack of EM candidates– EMs are under-represented at all levels of gov’t – Might feel that White candidates don’t understand the

needs of EMs– puts off some voters

• Apathy – Some voters are apathetic = not interested in

politics– Many EMs have poor life chances (e.g.

poverty, unemployment, bad housing) – Do not believe gov’t will improve their lives =>

no point in participating

• Language barrier (Hispanics)– Most campaigning, media coverage and gov’t

docs are in English– Non-English speakers might not understand

or feel excluded– E.g. many Hispanics speak Spanish as 1st

language

• Did not register to vote– Americans must register weeks in advance– Registration is voluntary NOT automatic

=> have to be motivated to do it– Registration is lower among EMs due to

education, apathy, lack of faith in politicians…