5.2

Standard 5A

Factors associated with political ideology, efficacy, structural barriers, and demographics influence the nature and degree of political participation.

Learning Objective

Explain the roles that individual choice and state laws play in voter turnout in elections.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

Structural barriers, political efficacy, and demographics can predict differences in voter turnout in the U.S., and the following can influence voter turnout among democracies worldwide:

• National versus state-controlled elections

• Voter registration laws and procedures

• Voting incentives or penalties or fines

• Election type (midterm or presidential)

Demographic characteristics and political efficacy or engagement are used to predict the likelihood of whether an individual will vote.

Factors influencing voter choice include:

• Party identification and ideological orientation

• Candidate characteristics

• Contemporary political issues

• Religious beliefs or affiliation, gender, race and ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics