POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND VOTING

Internet Exercise

Ace Practice Test

I. Levels of Participation  (2004 Data)

        A. Apathetic       

        B. Spectator

•  Exposing oneself to political stimuli 
• Wearing a button or putting a sticker on the car
• Attempting to talk another into voting a certain way
• Initiating a political discussion
• Exposing oneself to political stimuli 
• Voting

        C. Transitional       

• Attending a political meeting or rally
• Making a monetary contribution to a party or candidate
• Contacting a public official or a political leader

        D. Gladiatorial

            1. conventional       

• Holding public and party office
• Being a candidate for office
• Soliciting political funds
• Attending a caucus or strategy meeting
• Becoming an active member in a political party
• Contributing time in a political campaign

            2. unconventional

•  picketing

•  attending a protest march/rally

•  engaging in violence/destructive actions

II. Significance and Nature of the Franchise

        A. Linkage

        B. Policy Shaping

        C. Legitimizing

        D. Extension

        E. Ballot Form

            1.    Office List-Example (single member plurality systems)

            2.     Party List  

            3.   Relative Strengths and Weaknesses

III. Voting Rate - Causal Factors

        A.  Individual Traits (education & voting - p. 5)

        B. Nature of the Political Conflict

        C. Personal Characteristics of Candidates

        D. Type of Election

`        1.     National/State/Local

         2.     Executive/Legislative/Judicial

        E.  Frequency of Elections

        F. Issue Intensity

        G. Candidate Appeal

        H. Registration Procedures and Requirements

Key Web Sites

Electoral Systems

Federal Election Commission

Center for Voting and Democracy

Glossary of Electoral Terms