PLS 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Jim Crow Laws, Nineteenth Amendment To The United States Constitution, Voting Age
Document Summary
Not guaranteed in constitution until 19th amendment in 1920. 26th amendment: legal voting age from 21 to 18. Denied voting rights to catholics, jews, native americans and freed slaves. *makes sense to demand the right to vote. *rational people will participate in voting when they can met he costs to do so and when they appreciate the benefits. Those with money, education, experience, free time and self-confidence find it easier to meet the costs and strong partisans receive greater benefits. Decline in efforts to mobilize voters (ask them to vote, help them register, etc. ) Preferences of voters and nonvoters aren"t very different. *negative campaigning: pointed personal criticism of the other candidate. Two problems: political equality but unequal distribution of money. Funded by private funds: suspicion that elected officials will serve contributors rather than voters. 527"s: individuals, pacs, own money, party organizations. *two finance systems: one regulated and one not. Ignore states that are locked up by either side.