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4d. Participating in GovernmentCitizens gather in massive groups as a way to show that they support a particular idea or agenda, in hopes that they will influence the political process. Marches, letter-writing campaigns, and political rallies (like this one for Al Gore) are all methods of participating in government. People may participate in politics in many ways. They can write their Representative or Senator, or work in for a candidate or political party. They can make presentations to their local school board or city council, or call the police to complain about the neighbor's dog. Partly because of our federalist system, people have many opportunities to participate in our democracy on federal, state, and local levels. Some forms of participation are more common than others and some citizens participate more than others, but almost everyone has a voice in government. Who Participates and Why?Experts have found several social and economic characteristics to be strongly associated with high levels of political participation:
One way citizens can participate in government is by protesting ideas, policies, or agencies. Here, some high school students protest inhumane labor practices around the world by taking off their shirts to reveal slogans, rather than wearing clothes made by sweatshop labor.
Declining Voter TurnoutSince the beginning of the 20th century, American voter turnout has been on the decline. Fewer than 50% of eligible voters went to the polls during the 1996 presidential election. Smaller percentages are routinely reported for congressional elections, and even fewer Americans bother to vote for their local representatives. The United States ranks near the bottom of modern democratic nations who measure voter turnout. There are many factors that could contribute to low voter turnout. Many analysts cite growing alienation among voters. The scandals of the past several decades have engendered a cynicism that has led to a decrease in political interest, particularly among the nation's young voting population. There tends to be a correlation between self-efficacy — or the belief that an individual can actually make a difference — and voting. Some observers believe that the decline in voter turnout indicates that Americans feel less certain that they can have an impact than Americans of the 19th century. The League of Women Voters encourages people to "take a friend to vote" when they go to the polls as a way of increasing voter turnout and participation in government. Other analysts feel differently. They argue that American nonvoting may be a passive vote of confidence. Since many Americans are pleased with economic progress, they may feel reluctant to make a change, so they stay at home on Election Day. Also, American participation in political activities other than voting exceeds that of other modern democracies. More Americans report the willingness to participate in community projects, attend school board meetings, or contact their representatives directly than European citizens. Participation takes may forms. The American democracy enables its people to join a political party, work on a campaign, or contribute money toward a political cause. More locally, citizens form action groups, draw up petitions, and send mail to their representatives. Although American voter turnout has been declining, these other avenues of participation remain strong. NES: National Election Studies Report broken link CPS: Center for Political Studies Report broken link Federal Election Commission — About Elections and Voting Report broken link The Future of Internet Voting Report broken link Citizen Participation in Government Report broken link If you like our content, please share it on social media!Which of the following factors contribute to the low levels of political participation in Texas quizlet?Which of the following factors may account for the relatively low level of political participation in Texas? The age distribution in Texas is relatively younger than the national average. Which of the following developments might lead to an increase in voter participation rates in Texas?
Why is Texas voter turnout so low quizlet?The reason why voter turnout is so low is because compared to other states TX income levels are lower, age distribution is younger and levels of educational achievment are below average.
What are some factors that contribute to low voter turnout among Latino Texans quizlet?What are some factors that contribute to low voter turnout among Latino Texans? -A significant number of Latinos in Texas are not citizens and cannot vote. -Many Latinos are too young to vote.
What are some reasons for low voter turnout?Older people tend to vote more than youths, so societies where the average age is somewhat higher, such as Europe; have higher turnouts than somewhat younger countries such as the United States. Populations that are more mobile and those that have lower marriage rates tend to have lower turnout.
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