VOTING CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS Behavioral Focus Approaches to Understanding Voting Behavior 2011 Taylor amp Francis Three Schools of American Voting Behavior Columbia School Stresses the role of group influences sociological factors on voting ID: 193335
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Chapter 8VOTING, CAMPAIGNS, AND ELECTIONS
Behavioral Focus: Approaches to Understanding Voting Behavior
© 2011 Taylor & FrancisSlide2
Three Schools of American Voting Behavior
Columbia School—Stresses the role of group influences (sociological factors) on voting.Rational Choice Theory— (economized logic based calculations
).
Individuals vote for those candidates who will maximize benefits; conversely, the cost of voting must be reduced. This is premised on the assumption of a rational voter.
University of Michigan School—Attitudes (psychological attachments) affect voting.
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Columbia School
Stresses the role of group influences (sociological factors) on votingRelies on group identification (remember collective action from Chapter 6)Individual preferences have little impact on voting
Political campaigns are unlikely to persuade voters to change their support or radically alter their choices of candidates.
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Rational Choice Theory
Individuals vote for those candidates who will maximize benefits; conversely, the cost of voting must be reduced.Voter evaluates candidate based upon retrospective voting (one election cycle) to determine if he/she will maximize self-interests (the benefits).
Considers voting myopic or concerned with
short-term
benefitsThe probability of supporting a candidate is determined by the sum of subtracting the
benefits
from the
costs
. Therefore:
If sum is positive, voter will support the candidate.
If sum is negative, candidate will not receive the individual’s vote.
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Rational Choice Theory
Civic duty (social responsibility) of a citizen voting is considered a benefit.Rational choice theory states it is rational for a person to abstain from voting if the costs of voting outweigh the benefits of supporting any one candidate.
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University of Michigan School
Attitudes (psychological attachments) affect votingParty identification significantly influences an individual’s vote.Psychological attachments are formed early in life and thus party attachment and voting trends may be seen as long-term associations.
Yet, short-term factors (economic
downturns
or other crisis) may also influence voting
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Voting Turnout in the U.S.Slide8
Voting Turnout in the U.S. cont.Slide9
How do Voters Make Up Their Minds?
Two types of voting:Sophisticated voters: Individuals cast their vote based upon understanding the issues and knowing the candidate’s stance on the issues. Unsophisticated voters: Individuals vote, not according to issues, but based upon their perceptions of the candidate.
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How do Voters Make Up Their Minds?
Information: Heuristics—voting cues; shortcuts to gain information on a candidate’s position or ideology.Party identificationIdeology
schema:
an established
“package” of ideas re candidateCandidate appearance
Endorsements (newspaper editorials, organizations, individuals)
Polling (issues)
Issue knowledge
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In the U.S. Voter Turnout is LowSlide12Slide13
What are Some Ways to Improve Voting?
Premise: a democratic government relies upon citizen participation to be successful Political scientists believe that voter turnout will be more likely to increase if the cost of voting is reduced.
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History of Voter Turnout in American ElectionsSlide15
What are Some Ways to Improve Voting?
Some institutional changes or mechanisms that have led to increased voter turnout in other countries:Compulsory
voting
Fines for
not voting
Changing the day of voting
Multiple days for voting
Have all elections on one day per year
Accessibility of information
Increase the numbers of political parties
Easier voter registration
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What are Some Ways to Improve Voting?
Registering to vote is the most significant impairment to increased levels of voting in the United States. Congress reduced the burden of registering to vote by passing the National Voter Registration Act (Motor Voter Bill) of 1993
So, what are other avenues to increase voter turnout in the United States?
© 2011 Taylor & Francis