National Political Processes At The State Level

Many scholars believe that falling civic organization membership and the general decline in our Social Capital has negatively impacted voter turnout.” (Kaufmann. 145) To summarize, people in the United States are “less involved” with other groups and other people as a whole, so it is only logical to feel they would be less involved or interest in our political and governmental future.

Voting in elections is the most important form of participation in American politics. Even though this is true, America has a very low voter turnout. This is defined as the percentage of eligible voters who actually show up to vote. Only 6 out of 10 Americans vote in the presidential election, and it is even lower for midterm and local elections (Ginsberg, 306, 2013). Voter participation today is substantially lower than it was in the 19th century. Although, the number of people that could vote was lower than it is now, considering that women and other minorities were not allowed to vote until later in the century (Schulman, n.d). Age, gender, education, income, ethnicity, and religious affiliation all have differing effects on voter turnout rates. Education and income are the top factors that determine whether someone votes or not. Someone with a higher income and educational knowledge about voting are more likely to vote verses someone with a lower income and no education. If citizens do not have any knowledge about the voting process or candidates, they become discouraged and do not turnout to vote. Also, Texas is one of the states with the lowest voter turnout rates in the country and ranks in the bottom third of voter participation (Ginsberg, 821). Reasons for this are because Texas has a lower average age than the national average, and young citizens are more likely not to vote. Also, Texas has a political culture that is traditionalistic and individualistic. In a traditionalistic political culture, the political and economic elite discourage voting. In an individualistic political culture, the people choose not to vote because of “ real or perceived corruption in government” (Ginsberg, 821). Texas has a tradition of keeping a decentralized government, which causes numerous elections. Voters become overwhelmed with the

America is facing an all-time low in voter participation. Since 2014 the voting population has decreased by “thirty-six and four-tenths percent” (DelReal). Many theories explain the stigma of voting in America. According to the Wolfgang “the leading theory is: many minority voters are discriminated upon and do not believe their vote will count.” Many laws created infringe on the rights of Americans, however, when citizens do not vote the government seizes control on controversial issues , which in turn creates solutions that are less than satisfactory to the civilians.

This Federalist arguments on the limitations of mass participation also has its merits in a modern context, where voters are often indifferent, uninformed, and easily manipulated in an increasingly technological world. What Fishkin defines as “rational ignorance,” in which citizens are not motivated to go out of their way to learn and form rational opinions on policies, supports Madison’s fears. One aspect of rational ignorance illustrates the tendency of voters to vote only on policy issues relevant to them. For instance, farmers under a mass participatory system may vote only on issues related to agriculture, while remaining ignorant on other issues

The State governments mostly have powers that can affect within their state, meaning their powers mostly affect their state. For instance, one of their powers are to regulate trade, but only within their state, again regulating trade is just making laws so that trading laws aren't unfair if they are. Furthermore, they also have the power to conduct elections (Chapter 4, The Constitution, pg. 222). To add on, they are allowed to form voting events to elect a president, like how our states had an election on who should be president and our states voted for Trump. Now our new president is Trump, States are allowed to form these events so that we do have a president. Another power that State governments have is the power to establish public school systems. In other words, they make the main layout of how public schools should work. The last power that State governments have is establishing local government

There are many more ways people can participate in politics other than by voting. In the United States, the second highest form of activity is by participating in community work in local communities. The

What appeared most interesting was the lack of public peoples present, especially in an environment where they may have the greatest influence on public policy. In this present age, where political polarization is only growing, one would expect a greater public presence at the assembling of local governing bodies. Perhaps it is because people are too lazy, do not care, or think that their voice does not matter; at times a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whatever the case, if Americans wish for any type of favorable change to occur in their Governing bodies they must inform and involve themselves to champion said

Living in a nation based on democracy, where a citizen’s voice is the equivalent of casting a vote in political elections, the majority of American citizens eligible to vote do not participate in elections. The rationale behind voter non-participation varies among individuals and demographic groups; however, they all share a connection regarding their feelings towards their treatment by the country's political system. Minority voters such as blacks and hispanics are a demographic group highly faced with disenfranchisement in regards to political elections due to oppression. North Carolina’s Voter ID laws are a prime example of how minority voters are being shut out.

There are two major parties (Democrat and republican) that organized at the national, county and precinct levels. In order to ensure that the states and local party organizations have the opportunity to decide their positions on party issues each majority party is loosely organized. Furthermore Texas Election Code mandates that the two major parties are very similar in make up.

I am writing to inform you of how important it is, in any free country or democratic republic, civic and political participation is absolutely crucial because without it, decisions about the affairs of the state would be left to a select few, who could enact laws that aren't in the best interests of the people.

Government jobs all have important roles many of those take place in jobs like officeholders, which are state representatives, state senators, or state elected officials. They hold a job in which they acquire knowledge about. The person who holds a position in trust is the most likely to get appointed towards that specific office. A state representative must be about twenty-one years of age. That state representative should find ways to have their district succeed; they must also listen to constitutes with any concerns they might have. However, a state senator is elected by the citizens of the state and serves four years in their office positions without any term limitations. The location of the state senate is at Austin, the Texas capital.

While many people criticize the voting turnout rates in national and local elections, a federal system creates a surprisingly large amount of activism and local governmental participation, which is rarely seen on a national level. As an example, millions of people joined across the country and the globe in the Women's March on January 21st, the day after Donald Trump's inauguration. The Women's March was the start of a progressive revolution, protesting for human rights and progressive ideas; to make a difference and to see change in America. With the level of power given to state/local governments, people feel closer to the structure of power and would be more capable of making important changes when it is necessary. From activism by individuals to statewide and non-profit organizations, citizens are brought closer to the power with federalism in

Red and Blue states stand for the United States whose residents vote for the Republican Party (red) or Democratic Party (blue) presidential candidates. The Blue and Red states idea was more common since the 2000 presidential election. It has been known by media and society since that year. Red states which are the Republican states tend to be more conservative. Blue states which represent Democracy most likely are more liberal. In this paper it is shown a comparison between a Red state, Texas and a Blue state, New York.

Visiting the Vermont State House seems to be an exercise in finding order in chaos. What I am sure is the methodical adherence to a complicated set of rules seems to an outsider like me to be madness. The following are a few observations of what I saw in relation to Squire and Moncrief’s book State Legislatures Today.

When voters elect representatives, they elect the leaders who will mold the future of the society. This is the reason why elections entitle an ordinary resident; it allows people to influence the future policies of the government, and people’s future. The United States relies on a complex system of government, where the national government is central but state and local governments utilize control over affairs that are not meant for the federal government. State and local governments have varying degrees of independence in how the organize elections within their jurisdiction, but they hold frequent and self-administered elections.