Voter Turnout

This work presents an alternative empirical theory of voter turnout. Named the Mobilization/Demobilization Theory, it analyzes voter turnout of different segments of the voting age population in terms of barriers created to prevent participation and efforts to stimulate participation. Avey challenges the theory that the characteristics of nonvoters, low levels of education and political apathy, are the root causes of poor voter turnout among persons of low socioeconomic status, arguing instead that nonvoting results from the behavior of politicians, political elites, and the political system.

"Why Americans Don't Vote is a well-crafted and well-executed piece of research. It stands as the best treatment of the topic, a topic that has received a good deal of attention. I recommend this book highly, both to those interested in understanding political participation and to those interested in modelling change in attitudes and behaviors generally." Contemporary Sociology

This volume addresses a recurring and seemingly intractable problem of the U.S. political system: the nonparticipation of significant numbers of citizens in the political process. Eight chapters examine specific issues surrounding voter turnout levels including the influence of registration practices, the role of the Supreme Court, the impact of election timing and specific electoral arrangements, the policy consequences of non-voting, and the weak participation of under-represented groups.

Southern politics has changed dramatically during the past half century. While new developments have touched virtually every aspect of the region's politics, change has been especially marked in the South's political party and electoral systems. Southern Parties and Elections explores the contemporary developments in party realignment and examines the relationship between regional party change and electoral behavior and the larger patterns in national politics.

In the past quarter century, presidential nominating contests have become as exciting as the presidential election. The mass media devote more time, space, and staff to cover the presidential primaries and Iowa caucuses than on the general election itself. Each week from late February to early June, the TV networks headline these contests, especially in the challenging party. The stakes are high, for the winner of these contests will invariably be the party nominee. This sourcebook provides the reader with a comprehensive and convenient resource for following and understanding the presidential primary and the three- or four-tier caucus-convention system used throughout the 50 states to send delegates to the quadrennial national nominating conventions. Historical perspectives as well as precedents are documented. Statistical tables and a glossary provide helpful tools for augmenting the reader's understanding.

Addressing America's manipulation by the political process, the author surveys the existing public record on voting patterns, campaign promises, and all manner of electioneering to come up with this engaging mix of analysis, factoids, and cartoons about politics.