This chapter mainly discusses the forms and patterns of political participation and the factors that influence people to vote. There are two major categories of participation in politics: traditional and digital participation. People, who participate in politics not only in a way of voting but also in a way that attending various kinds of political events, rallies, or contributing money to the candidates, are considered as traditional political participants. The most common forms of participation today are lobbying, attending events, litigation, protest, and, most important, voting. As the technology develops, the Internet has expanded people’s ability to access to the political information. For example, people discuss political issues, exchange
…show more content…
People with high level of education, salary, and occupations are more likely to participate in politics. Also, the level of efforts by political institutions to mobilize people is an important factor to explain political participation. It means that people are more likely to participate in politics when they are mobilized by someone they know. Another factor is the state electoral laws that shape the electoral process (300). For example, there is an identification requirement for registration. Also, prisoners serving a felony sentence are not permitted to vote in 48 states. Elections holding on weekdays may prevent people from participating since people have to work. Besides the three factors, people would like to participate in politics when elections are competitive. Older people are more likely than young people to participate in voting since they care about the tax or other important policies. More and more African Americans tend to participate in politics since more and more black officials present in the government to represent the interest of black people. Similar to African Americans, Latinos participate in voting when living in states with increased representation in the state legislation. The gender gap, the increase in the number of women holding public office, and the importance of political issues on women are factors motivating women to participate in
People with high level of education, salary, and occupations are more likely to participate in politics. Also, the level of efforts by political institutions to mobilize people is an important factor to explain political participation. It means that people are more likely to participate in politics when they are mobilized by someone they know. Another factor is the state electoral laws that shape the electoral process (300). For example, there is an identification requirement for registration. Also, prisoners serving a felony sentence are not permitted to vote in 48 states. Elections holding on weekdays may prevent people from participating since people have to work. Besides the three factors, people would like to participate in politics when elections are competitive. Older people are more likely than young people to participate in voting since they care about the tax or other important policies. More and more African Americans tend to participate in politics since more and more black officials present in the government to represent the interest of black people. Similar to African Americans, Latinos participate in voting when living in states with increased representation in the state legislation. The gender gap, the increase in the number of women holding public office, and the importance of political issues on women are factors motivating women to participate in