The Power of Civic Engagement
Voting/ civic participation
Who is this?
Who is this?
Popular sovereignty
How do Americans participate?Why do Americans participate?Self – governmentParticipation is attachment to:
CommunityStatesCountry
Active participation on civic life
Voluntary Associations
Unpaid groups that solve community problems and take care of one anotherReligious organizationsSocial organizationService and business organizationsNongovernmental organizations
NGO’s
Participation in National Government
Political PartiesTwo majorThird parties
Public PolicyPublic opinionVoting
Electoral College
Voter TurnoutAccording to US Census 2012
According to US Census 2008
73.3% registered voters
63.6% voter turnout White 64% (non-
Hispanic) African Americans
65% Hispanic 45% Asians 42% Age 45 and higher
70% Young adults (18 – 24)
48.5% Men 61.5% Women 65.7%
71.1% register voter 61.8% voter turnout White 64% (non-
Hispanic) African American 66% Hispanic 48% Asians 47% Age 45 and higher
63.8% Young adults (18-24)
41.2% Men 59.7% Women 63.7%
Elections are administrated at the state and local levels
Almost all states required voters to register with country officials
National Voter Registration Act (1993)Early votingAbsentee ballots
Mail-in ballots
To increase voting turnout people have suggestedNational Election Day24hrs polling places