1	Public Opinion Taking the pulse of the people Polls are a snapshot of opinion-a point in time Consensus Polarization Factors: Intensity-the fervor of people’s beliefs varies greatly Merely as a potential, may not have crystallized- yet important Concerns issues (drugs, crime, health care, education) change over time
2	Agents of Political Socialization Family Schools Mass Media Religion Ethnic and racial attitudes
3	Participation Voting-most often engaged Registration-discourages voting-varies from state to state National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter) 1. Allows people to register when applying for a renewal of driver’s license 2. States can also use schools/libraries/city/county offices as registration sites 3. States can permit mail registration 4. Most registered claim to be Independents—thus neither party helped 5. Does not appear to have increased turnout
4	Turnout 1. Turnout is highest in presidential general elections 2. Turnout is higher in general elections than in primary elections and higher in primary elections than in special elections 3. Turnout is higher in presidential general elections than in midterm general elections and higher in presidential primary elections than in midterm primary elections 4. Turnout is higher in elections in which candidates for federal office are on the ballot than in state elections in years when there are no federal contests 5. Local or municipal elections have lower turnout than state elections, and municipal primaries have even lower rates of participation 6. In 1960, turnout peaked at almost 65 percent of persons over 21 years of age, but it has since declined to 36 percent in 1998 and 51 percent in 2000 7. 85 million Americans failed to vote in recent presidential elections; (despite the electorate growing wealthier and more educated)
5	Why is turnout so low? 1. Voter registration appears to be the major block to voting 2. Too young; election did not seem important; disinterested in the candidates; inconvenient 3. American parties are too weak—nonvoter had no contact with party or organization
6	Who votes? 1. Educational level a. As education increases, so does voting 2. Race and ethnic background a. Blacks vote at lower rates than whites b. Women voters exceed that of men 3. Income and age a. Those with higher family incomes are more likely to vote than those with lower incomes b. Those with higher-status careers are more likely to vote than those with lower-status jobs c. Older people, unless they are very old and perhaps infirm, are more likely to vote than younger people d. Persons 18 to 24 years of age have a poor voting record; so do persons over 70
7	How serious is nonvoting? 1. Some argue that nonvoting is not a critical problem; why make it easy for apathetic, lazy people to vote? 2. Some argue that nonvoting is a critical problem and cite the "class bias" of those who do vote 3. The poor do not use their electoral power 4. But nonvoters are not more egalitarian or more in favor of government ownership 5. Lower voter turnout could be seen as a sign of approval 6. If large nonvoter population decided to vote, political balance of power could shift 7. Need for electoral reform noted after 2000 election—machines, ballots, standards for recounts, ensuring the voting process is open to all citizens, concerns about the news 8.media projecting winners before the polls close