On July 1, 1971 the 26th Amendment passed. This lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, adding nearly 11 million potential voters to the electorate. The 1972 presidential election remains the highest ever recorded turnout for youth voters. Why?
Category Archives: elections
Data Bites – brief posts about public opinion. What Independents think?
Several results from a recent YouGov Survey caught my eye. Thought you might find them interesting. I examined Independent voters…
A Vigorous and Strong Democracy?
In my last post, I examined increases in voter turnout and concluded that American democracy appeared strong and vigorous. Critics, however, dispute this claim by comparing U.S. voter turnout to other developed countries. The comparison typically draws a much less favorable portrait of American democracy. So let’s consider that comparison. Voter turnout by countryContinue reading “A Vigorous and Strong Democracy?”
Evaluating Democracy by Voter Turnout
As we edge closer to the fall elections, let’s consider this question: What will voter turnout be in November? The answer offers important clues about the quality of elections and the health of our democracy.
Victory in November?
Lately, I have read and watched a surprising number of Democratic elites – politicians, pollsters, pundits and media folk – confidently promise victory. The narrative goes something like this. November marks the end of Donald Trump’s four-year reign. Joe Biden needs only to select a running mate, receive formal nomination, and run aContinue reading “Victory in November?”
Will protestors vote?
After witnessing several weeks of protests – and sometimes violent clashes with police, I am curious whether that energy translates into votes. Most protestors are in their late teens and 20s, an age that typically does not show well on Election Day. Will summer protests deliver young voters in November? Young protesters vote TheContinue reading “Will protestors vote?”
Joe Biden’s Dilemma
Will Joe Biden side with the surging progressive wing of his Party? Or, will he follow the moderate course of recent Democratic nominees? He promised to decide by early August. How to select a VP Research shows nominees balance the ticket. They look for a running mate that unifies the party and boosts chancesContinue reading “Joe Biden’s Dilemma”
Polling Locations: Yes, a Partisan Advantage
Several days before the special congressional election in California’s 25th Congressional District, Los Angeles County election officials decided to add an in-person voting center in Lancaster, one of the more diverse cities in the district. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are very few in-person polling sites and the election is largely a mail-in ballotContinue reading “Polling Locations: Yes, a Partisan Advantage”
Gun Sales and Voter Choice – A Potential Connection?
Coronavirus fears have emptied supermarkets. Now, they are depleting gun stores. Gun buyers anticipate civil unrest caused by the extended health crisis and a looming economic collapse. Amid the uncertainty, they turn to guns. According to FBI figures, 3.7 million background checks were conducted last month, which translated to roughly 2 million guns sold. TheContinue reading “Gun Sales and Voter Choice – A Potential Connection?”
