Voting_Usa

A) Explain the term split-ticket voting in the US politics. The term split-ticket voting is the practice of castings votes for the candidates of at least two different political parties at the same election, for example, voting for the Democratic candidate for the White House and for a Republican as Senator or Representative. The trend has intensified in recent years, in part a reflection of the decline in traditional voter attachments, but also an indication that many Americans prefer to divide power to prevent an undue concentration in the hands of one party. There was about 19% of Americans that were split-ticket voters towards the 2008 election, 9% voted a Democratic president/Republican congressman and 10% voted a Republican president/Democratic congressman this shows that some of the electorate were split-ticket voting. B) The USA has one of the lowest levels of electoral participation in any democracy. Why do so few participate in the electoral process' The USA has had the lowest levels of electoral participation ever since the 1960’s; the reason for this could be by the increase of independent voters that respond differently towards issues and the candidates up for nomination. Reasons why the electoral may not participate might be because they may have been alienated toward the elections, the difficulties of registration; some people believe that voting won’t make a change toward the US so there is no point voting these people become apathy. Also, there are issues like the parties and their policies. However, the recent 2008 election it has been said that it has had the highest level of turnout ever since 1968. Participation is a key event to happen during an election, the reason why is because, it allows any person above 18 years old to have a say towards the election, and who they want to be govern by. Isn’t that what democracy is all about, everyone having a fair say on things' Firstly, it could be argued that there is low turnout in the US because of the candidates up for nomination. The US has a two-party system it only allows the 2 main parties to be in the main focus, so it narrows the electorate’s choice of the candidate’s if they want their votes to count and make a difference. By it narrowing the public’s choice it may make people feel alienated toward other candidates because they may know that if they vote for third-party candidates their votes may not make a change toward the election. Another reason why might the US has a low apathy level might be because, of the events that occur in the years that follow on to the general election for example Iraq War may have changed the public view towards politics. Finally, there are low levels of turnout because there may be difficulties by registration; the older generation may not know how to register since the new technology has created new ways in registering toward the electorate, again this could lead to alienation since no one seems to be helping the older generation, to gain their votes. However, others argue and believe that the US doesn’t have the lowers turnout in any democracy; the reason for this is because in 2009 only 34.7% of the electorate in the UK voted towards the European Elections, this shows that the UK had the lowers turnout compared to the US. Also, it was to believe that the turnout in the 2008 elections was the highest level of turnout ever since 1968 with 63%. Overall, the level of turnout could be increased if voters perceive real contest especially in swing states like Florida as opposed to safe states like Texas as in 2004 compared to 2000. Another way in which participation could be increase would be by using the media, this could raise the profile on the elections and may gain more participation. However, it could be judged that one of the reasons why the US may have low apathy may be the fact that the media is too expensive to broadcast or advertise the elections to the public. To concluded, it would be correct to say that there might not be a high level of turnout in the US because it’s a big country and so it may be hard to get to every person in that country to participate to vote in the election. But why would the public not vote, even if they live in a democracy' Wouldn’t they at least want a say toward US politics' Make a change'