What Is Traditional Political Participation?

61% of the eligible electorate voted in the 1968 presidential election (Nicholas, 1969), while only 58.6% voted in the 2012 presidential election (Kernell et al., 2016, p. 450). Although national voting rates in 2008 and 2012 were lower than historical rates, voting rates among minorities were at an all time high. This suggests that there is an inverse relationship between national voting rates and minority voting rates, at least in the context of the 1968, 2008, and 2012 elections: if one rate rose, the other fell. Further research on why this occurs would be beneficial for future presidential elections. Voting rates among immigrants are still very low compared to native born voting rates, so efforts to encourage political participation among immigrants should be increased. Efforts to increase the national voting rate (including all races and ethnicities) should also be

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.

Indeed, gender and racial differences in participation in U.S. democracy have long been noted. For example, African Americans report feeling disengaged from the political process and frequently believe that their civic activities make little to no difference to their

When looking at political campaigns in recent years there has been increasing evidence in the parties’ campaigns for the support of this racial group as they are being targeted in the campaigns in a strategic manner, by campaigning in Spanish or supporting citizenship, or heavy focus on Hispanic candidates from the parties for examples the Republican focus was on candidates such as Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.

The presentation topic was to examine the impact of politics on Latino in United States by studying various factors such as- population, citizenship status, geographic location and age.

Since the majority of Latinos are not legal citizens; therefore, they cannot vote in an election (Ginsbert et al, 2013). For the Latinos that can vote are more likely to vote Democratic. Voters for the Democratic are seen as urban countries, with large minority population, older and native Texans (Ginsbert et al, 2013). Teachers, business men and women, and citizens with higher educations are more likely to vote depending on who is running and their platforms. Hispanics and African-American are seen voting more for the Democratic candidates and whites voting for the Republican candidates (Ginsbert et al, 2013). Women are move likely to vote Democratic than men (Ginsbert et al,

Verba and his co-authors examine the import of participation, both voting and non-voting, in our American society. According to their argument, the typical citizen activist “tend[s] to be drawn disproportionately from more advantaged groups–to be well-educated and well-heeled and to be White and male” (Verba et al., 1995: 231). Indeed, Verba et al. explore participation along both gender and racial lines and concludes that both women and minorities are comparatively less active than men, especially white men, who stand peerless both in terms of affiliation with a political organization, contributing to a campaign, contacting their Representatives, and more direct forms of participation like voting.

Not everyone is born free and equal, but everyone is made equal. Immigration across the United States has created many different perspectives and opinions over the movement. Social and political departments have created a discussion and issue for this subject. The most common or popular immigrants in the United States are Hispanics, but there is a vast migration of Asians as well. Stereotypes are created in order to censor the positive actions of each other and have created a platform that censors Asian immigrants in the immigration movement. These two cultures are created blinded influences and impacts in the United States. Anti-Immigration is rhetoric and bias

Some of the political implications of immigration could affect many states, such as they could become much more diverse. Becoming more diverse has led to Latino political leaders having a larger role in state politics, as well as Latino voters being courted heavily by both political parties. Because of population increase, Latinos elected to public office has risen from 1,466 in 1986 to 2,521 in 2011.

The exclusion of these groups is for the sake of clarity and focus; the topic of women and Hispanics and their effects on all aspects of American politics is deserving of concentrated studies separate from this one. In order to best present this argument, it is necessary to begin with an informative review of current and significant literature on the topic of the politics of race in the US Congress. This will provide a better understanding of the implications of race in Congressional constituencies. Following this literature review, a case study of four different House members and a comparison of their campaigning and constituency interaction will be presented.

In addition to contributing to the country’s increased economic output, Latinos are influencing the nation’s political structure as well. Historically, this influence dates back to 1898 when the Spanish-American war “not only changed America, but announced America as a world power” (Balkaran). This skirmish, while fought against Hispanics, raised the United States to a position of global dominance, earning them political favor among existing world powers. In more recent history, the Latino-American community has served the role of the “swing vote” population in many battleground states: “The Viva Kennedy Movement helped elect one of America’s promising leaders, John F. Kennedy, as well as the election and recent re-election of America’s first African American president” (Balkaran). Political science professor Stephen Balkaran continues with this idea, stating, “Without the

As population increases among the Hispanics the country hopes that so will the number of voters. It is important to make sure that the younger generation continues to voice their opinion in politics to ensure that a difference is made. Currently, only a small number of people vote, again, due to lack of income, education and a younger median age. Their main focus for change in politics are employment, education and health care security. If Hispanics want to run for office they are told to, “be visible and you need to engage in every aspect of the community” (Jacobson,

Many critics pointed out that the purpose behind letting Asian Americans immigrating in the country was only being a laborer and economical being (Chang 2001). This indicates that there was no intention of letting Asian Americans partake in the American political process. This process indicates how this race was a victim of systematic and unintentional racism. As Chang (2001) has stated, the Chinese were considered hyperpolitical. It was believed that eventually they will seek political power in the society and government in American Society. As it was viewed that Chinese involvement within the American political process would hurt America, not benefit it. Such views hindered Asian Americans political involvement when they attempt to engage in a political process was made by the Asian Americans. Additionally, one can engage within a political process through voting. However, the federal Chinese Exclusion Act was passed by congress in 1882 and the purpose behind it was to prohibit all immigration of Chinese laborers.During the process, explicit negative concerns were shown during that time when this legislation was being passed. After the Chinese Exclusion Act, Asiatic Barred Zone 1917 and enactment of the Immigration Act of 1924

Under the 15th amendment, there is a right to vote by every people who are the citizens of the United States even though; they are Latinos, African-American or Asian. Voting is the important issues in political process as well as for the people themselves to decide the upcoming government in election. Moreover that, immigrants citizen must be very concerned about voting as there are few candidate who shows interest in the favor of immigrants people. Among the immigrants, Hispanic or Latinos are the largest minority group i.e. 44.3 million or 15 percent according to the U.S. census bureau (2006) (Zulema Valdez). They got rights to choose a candidate as they can rely on for their needs to be fulfilled by that candidate. As shown, most of the Immigrants people are not utilizing their rights to vote even though, they are eligible to vote. Such kind of people who don’t participate to vote in the election, known as a voter apathy as their lack of interest in voting. Voter apathy is one of the main factors that impact the political process making very large difference in the upcoming government. A group-based discrimination has been the reason behind the voter apathy affecting the political participation. The political incorporation of immigrants or Latinos group is caused by the group based on resources or by their own perception for the election that’s the reason for not participating in the electoral political process which affect their political participation

When it comes to race we have come a long way for voting rights. Since the voting barriers have been eliminated the African American citizens vote at least as often as white citizens with the same economic status. African Americans are more involved in politics than other minorities in the US and have the highest level of voter registration and participation. The Latinos only average about 49% of eligible voters to vote. One of the big problems for them is the language barrier, but with the Latino population increasing there is a rise of Spanish campaigning being done alongside the English.