We'll use this blog for academic discussions of news, politics, and other relevant class issues.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Who Votes?
In SOCCOM, we've talked about how the profile of typical voters feels out of place for some of us; some students even talked about how the "likely voter sounds like my grandma." We strategized about how to increase voter turnout, but I'm curious:
Does the part of the population that votes accurately reflect America? Why or why not?
81 comments:
Anonymous
said...
No, the poeple that vote do not represent the people of America because there are plenty of people who don't vote, who would represent the polls more. They don't represent America because if everyone would vote than who is elected could be changed, but they don't so that person is elected.
No, the voters of America do not represent the whole of America's people because there are citizens who are not registered to vote, and some of the registered voters do not place their vote. The typical voter description is not an accurate statement.
No, because there is other people in America that doesn't vote. The people that do vote are just the people that are more outspoken. I agree with Emily, because there are a magorety of people that are able to vote but don't.
No, because not a lot of the people in America who don't vote. they don't represent America because, if every person in America voted, it would be more likely that the results of elections would be different.
No, the people who vote do not represent America because they are mostly just the people from the higher classes, and therefore not representing America. For example many people who work at fast food places such as McDonald's or Burger King who do not vote are not helping to represent America in the election. Also when people don't vote America becomes less and less of a democracy.
No, the people that vote are not an accurate representation of America because most of the people in America don't vote, and the people that do vote are similar to each other. So, the outcome of the votes would most likely be the same.
A believe that the people who vote do not represent the people of America becasue there are some non voters who could vote and could make a difference but chose not to and also if more non voters would vote there would be a large change but becaue they are not, America is represented poorly.
I don't think the population of America that votes accurately reflects America. According to the US Census Bureau in two-thousand the average age of a person is thirty-eight and three tenths and the age group with the highest voter participation was sixty-five to seventy-four years old. So people that vote tend to be older than average Americans and wouldn't represent the country very well. The Americans that vote could not represent America because not everyone is votes.
I do not think that it represents America because everyone that is at the extremes of each category (gender, income, age, etc.) either get well represented or barely represented at all. For example, the typical voter is rich, old (60-70 years), and are highly educated. On the other hand, the typical non-voter has lower income ($20,000 or less/year)young (18-25 years or so), and barely has any education. THose are pretty much opposites! It might be a good thing in this case because the less educated people wouldn't be very educated about the government, so it saves a lot of uneducated votes.
No the average voter does not represent America. In America everyone has the right to vote but just because they don't that doesn't mean that they don't represent America the same way a typical voter does. For some people it is hard to vote because they don't have time or don't understand the importance of voting, but that doesn't mean that they don't represent America!
No, the "typical voter" does not represent America because there are not that many "typical voters" in the U.S. As well, the "typical voter" is an older person, and the majority of America's people is not very old. Also, there are many people who do not vote, and therefore if they did so, then then the representation would change.
Of course not! Only 56.69% of people voted in the last election, and 56.69% isn't enough to represent the whole US population. If more people voted, then it would represent the population better.
All the voters of america are represented in government; however, not everyone votes. The more votes that are cast a more representative result comes in, which is good because if only a certain percent of people vote, there could be a chance that a majority of that percent vote for one person over the other when the non voters would vote for the other candidate.
This is kind've random, but let's say i vote for Mccain and Obama wins. Wouldn't that mean i'm technically not represented?
I do not think that the people who vote represent America. They don't represent America because the whole population is not represented because some people choose not to vote. By not voting, thoose people take away the whole point of a democracy because a democracy is for the people and by the people. If you have the power to choose who will lead your country, then you should seize the opportunity and vote so your beliefs can be heard.
No. The population that votes acurately does not reflect America. Some registered voters don't vote. either they are to lazy and they don't care, or they are undecided. Because usually, younger people over 18, and under 30 don't vote because they are still young and they aren't totally sure who or what to vote for, or against. And as Logan said, it would be good if the younger people didn't vote unless they were educated on the government. Because you wouldn't want people just being foolish and just voting for someone they think is good looking or something like that. Alexander Lorenz period 7
No, because not everyone votes therefore the whole country isnt deciding on who should be president. If more people voted then maybe a diffrent person would win.
...which is exactly why I posted the percentages. It's really pitiful, seeing that only around 60% of perfectly legal voters actually vote. Depressing.
anny why are you always involved in these random conversations?
I believe that the group of people who vote do not represent the United States because they are one "type" of people. It would be different if the people who voted were a mixture of young, old, low income, high income, white, black, Asian, ect... Alexander made a good point that the people who vote probably care more, but sometimes those who don't vote do not have the time to go to a polling station. We need people from all parts of the country and everyone to see what the people really want. That is why it is important to get people to vote and to encourage regestration so the don't complain about their president and they didn't even vote!! We need to educate people on politics and, like Parker said, the election could change if everyone was educated on the canidates and everyone voted.
Anny, You seem to be like the only other person on the blog so i'll ask you. Can you make the stats on chandler's comment clearer, I don't really understand.
He's saying that in the 2000 Census, the average age of all the people in the US is around 38, but the average voting age is 65-74. This doesn't accurately reflect all of the people in the US.
Thank you very much. now I understand. I have to eat dinner. I'm leaving, but i'll be back after dinner. we're watching walker, Texas ranger on the tv. its awesome!!! jk
No, because the whole country of people dont vote, so therefore the voters do not represent the American voters. If more people voted according to their own beliefs, then maybe there would be a greater chance of someone else winning the race.
No, the people that vote do not represent the people of America because some people that are registered to vote do not, and others that are not regisistered to vote might still represent the people of America better than registered voters.
While it may not accurately reflect the outcome if all americans voted, it does reflect the decision of people who cared enough to vote; Therefore, I believe that the outcome is as accurate as it can be because in every democracy, not everyone will vote.
I agree with Parker, Emily, and almost everyone else. I think that the typical voter and the typical american are completely different. Because many americans do not vote, they are not incorporated into the description of the "average" voter. So, the people who do vote, however different they may be, create the image of the average voter. That is why the average american and the average voter are completely different.
I think that is a very good point (that if everyone voted there may have been different outcomes). I wonder what it would be like now if George Bush wasn't elected in 2000 and 2004
Most of the people that vote don't represent america because most people in america don't earn $100,000 a year or more. Rather than most people that don't vote are the larger population.
Truly in america there is no upper class because everybody has the same rights. Rather than in england a little over a 1,000 years ago only the king and queen got to do things that the lower class citizens wouldn't be able to do.
No,most voters don't vote because they don't feel connected to the issues at stake and the politicians.Americas decision for president is not what the majority of the people think.I think if politicians were more honest and got more done a greater amount of people would vote and this would make the voting process better because "less power to any one person."
I do not think so because not all of us are the "typical voter". For example, my votes and hs is not 65-74 and is a man but is "caucasion not hispanic" so it does represent him in some way -Ligan hensley (dingle)
I agree with Parker and basically everybody else, that the people who vote have a bigger impact/say in the election because there are less people who vote total; therefore, each vote is worth more. Also, since not all people who can vote do vote, so the polls and outcome are based on the people who do vote. But wait, you said that the part of the population that votes, doe- oh! No, then the population that votes accurately doesn't represent all of america.
i disagree w/chandler... children aren't smart enough to vote... they are very much changed by their parents and don't think like adults.... it is important they don't vote!!!!
Angelo responce towards Logans comment. I totally and utterly agree with logan because there is "less power to any one person" if the vwhole nation does not vote.
Yes, in general terms the popular vote usually gives the direction to the electoral college as to what the american public wants. The electoral college helps represent the minority interest.
No, I do not think that the voting public represents all of the Americans vote, and also the people that are in the higher voting percentage have higher income and that does not represent the average Joe American, and only 63% of Americans voted. Although this is a significant increase from past years it is still not a very good percent of the people how voted. And the majority of the adverage Americans did not vote so it did not represent all of the American people. i agree with all of the other people.
No, because a lot of people do not vote because they do not care as much or they just don't want to. And if those citizens voted, it would effect the election majorly, and it would lessen the power of the people voting already.
It's actually kinda mathematical. For example, if you have ten people in all, and four of them don't vote, the remaining six get a bigger fraction of the votes. If all ten people had voted, then they each count as 1/10 of the final decision, whereas if you only had six, then they each get 1/6 of the final decision.
No the typical voter does NOT represent America because when you only have people you have good sturdy jobs and have a high income so they may not consider the people in poverty [ which is the majority of our country]. Also you want more voters because the less voters you have the more their vote counts
No, because if we based all of america by one persons profile, than we would all be ethier moderate in money, very low in money, or very high in money. We aree sll different and can't be compared.
81 comments:
No, the poeple that vote do not represent the people of America because there are plenty of people who don't vote, who would represent the polls more. They don't represent America because if everyone would vote than who is elected could be changed, but they don't so that person is elected.
No, because all the people who have the ability to vote don't so the people who do vote are the ones that the polls are based on.
No, because the people that do show up are a good representation of parts of the United States but not all of the United States.
So i pretty much agree with Parker
No, the voters of America do not represent the whole of America's people because there are citizens who are not registered to vote, and some of the registered voters do not place their vote. The typical voter description is not an accurate statement.
No, because there is other people in America that doesn't vote. The people that do vote are just the people that are more outspoken. I agree with Emily, because there are a magorety of people that are able to vote but don't.
No, because not a lot of the people in America who don't vote. they don't represent America because, if every person in America voted, it would be more likely that the results of elections would be different.
No, the people who vote do not represent America because they are mostly just the people from the higher classes, and therefore not representing America. For example many people who work at fast food places such as McDonald's or Burger King who do not vote are not helping to represent America in the election. Also when people don't vote America becomes less and less of a democracy.
- Nan Ash 2nd period
No, the people that vote are not an accurate representation of America because most of the people in America don't vote, and the people that do vote are similar to each other. So, the outcome of the votes would most likely be the same.
A believe that the people who vote do not represent the people of America becasue there are some non voters who could vote and could make a difference but chose not to and also if more non voters would vote there would be a large change but becaue they are not, America is represented poorly.
I don't think the population of America that votes accurately reflects America. According to the US Census Bureau in two-thousand the average age of a person is thirty-eight and three tenths and the age group with the highest voter participation was sixty-five to seventy-four years old. So people that vote tend to be older than average Americans and wouldn't represent the country very well. The Americans that vote could not represent America because not everyone is votes.
I do not think that it represents America because everyone that is at the extremes of each category (gender, income, age, etc.) either get well represented or barely represented at all. For example, the typical voter is rich, old (60-70 years), and are highly educated. On the other hand, the typical non-voter has lower income ($20,000 or less/year)young (18-25 years or so), and barely has any education. THose are pretty much opposites! It might be a good thing in this case because the less educated people wouldn't be very educated about the government, so it saves a lot of uneducated votes.
No the average voter does not represent America. In America everyone has the right to vote but just because they don't that doesn't mean that they don't represent America the same way a typical voter does. For some people it is hard to vote because they don't have time or don't understand the importance of voting, but that doesn't mean that they don't represent America!
-Rachel Kahn
No, the "typical voter" does not represent America because there are not that many "typical voters" in the U.S. As well, the "typical voter" is an older person, and the majority of America's people is not very old. Also, there are many people who do not vote, and therefore if they did so, then then the representation would change.
Sorry about the two "then"s in my paragraph. There's only supposed to be one.
Not everyone who's eligible to vote actually does vote, and this is the group of people decides to follow through on it.
Of course not! Only 56.69% of people voted in the last election, and 56.69% isn't enough to represent the whole US population. If more people voted, then it would represent the population better.
Visit my blog @ flutepipes.blogspot.com!
Interesting last sentence, Logan. I like your point.
All the voters of america are represented in government; however, not everyone votes. The more votes that are cast a more representative result comes in, which is good because if only a certain percent of people vote, there could be a chance that a majority of that percent vote for one person over the other when the non voters would vote for the other candidate.
This is kind've random, but let's say i vote for Mccain and Obama wins. Wouldn't that mean i'm technically not represented?
I do not think that the people who vote represent America. They don't represent America because the whole population is not represented because some people choose not to vote. By not voting, thoose people take away the whole point of a democracy because a democracy is for the people and by the people. If you have the power to choose who will lead your country, then you should seize the opportunity and vote so your beliefs can be heard.
No. The population that votes acurately does not reflect America. Some registered voters don't vote. either they are to lazy and they don't care, or they are undecided. Because usually, younger people over 18, and under 30 don't vote because they are still young and they aren't totally sure who or what to vote for, or against. And as Logan said, it would be good if the younger people didn't vote unless they were educated on the government. Because you wouldn't want people just being foolish and just voting for someone they think is good looking or something like that. Alexander Lorenz period 7
Anny, your blogspot is wierd.
Good point (in your last sentence), Muffins.
...
-no comment-
Just joking anny its really cool. Thank you for the complement.
No, because not everyone votes therefore the whole country isnt deciding on who should be president. If more people voted then maybe a diffrent person would win.
I consider "weird" a compliment. ;)
Jeez you guys are always off topic.
Okay okay, I'll get back on topic.
CJ, your last sentence was really well-phrased. I like the points you made. ;)
Anny, good point on the percentges. I never knew that. that is hardly half of the whole country!!!!
...which is exactly why I posted the percentages. It's really pitiful, seeing that only around 60% of perfectly legal voters actually vote. Depressing.
anny why are you always involved in these random conversations?
I believe that the group of people who vote do not represent the United States because they are one "type" of people. It would be different if the people who voted were a mixture of young, old, low income, high income, white, black, Asian, ect... Alexander made a good point that the people who vote probably care more, but sometimes those who don't vote do not have the time to go to a polling station. We need people from all parts of the country and everyone to see what the people really want. That is why it is important to get people to vote and to encourage regestration so the don't complain about their president and they didn't even vote!! We need to educate people on politics and, like Parker said, the election could change if everyone was educated on the canidates and everyone voted.
:) sorry i wrote a lot (again).
Anny... thank you for putting up the percentages... it is truly pitiful. :)
I dunno, Delaney.
Thanks. :D
Anny when you say i dunno, are you answering to delaneys question on why do you go on the blog so much?
I have a new picture!!!!
Yes. Nice pic.
Good point about the age, Chandler. And America also has children. Children don't vote. What about the neglection of the population of children!
Anny, You seem to be like the only other person on the blog so i'll ask you. Can you make the stats on chandler's comment clearer, I don't really understand.
He's saying that in the 2000 Census, the average age of all the people in the US is around 38, but the average voting age is 65-74. This doesn't accurately reflect all of the people in the US.
That took awhile to understand.
Thank you very much. now I understand. I have to eat dinner. I'm leaving, but i'll be back after dinner. we're watching walker, Texas ranger on the tv. its awesome!!! jk
Later (seriously)
No, because not every person votes so the population in America that are most likely to vote don't always represent or reflect America in any way.
I do agree with Parker!!!
I also agree with Delany!!!
No, because the whole country of people dont vote, so therefore the voters do not represent the American voters. If more people voted according to their own beliefs, then maybe there would be a greater chance of someone else winning the race.
No, the people that vote do not represent the people of America because some people that are registered to vote do not, and others that are not regisistered to vote might still represent the people of America better than registered voters.
haha! Nice picture Alexander.
Thank you kristen.
If you haven't seen it yet, everybody check their e-mail. I sent you the schedule for next week. Next week is spirit week.
While it may not accurately reflect the outcome if all americans voted, it does reflect the decision of people who cared enough to vote; Therefore, I believe that the outcome is as accurate as it can be because in every democracy, not everyone will vote.
Cool picture Muffins!!!
No, because many people DON'T vote, so there is no way that the percentage of actual voters reprsents all of America.
So many people still haven't blogged! Everybody check your e-mail!!!
I agree with parker it is imposable to say that everyone who votes represents America because not everyone votes.
I agree with parker it is imposable to say that everyone who votes represents America because not everyone votes.
I agree with parker it is imposable to say that everyone who votes represents America because not everyone votes.
sorry about the multiple comments i hit the button to many times
I agree with Parker, Emily, and almost everyone else. I think that the typical voter and the typical american are completely different. Because many americans do not vote, they are not incorporated into the description of the "average" voter. So, the people who do vote, however different they may be, create the image of the average voter. That is why the average american and the average voter are completely different.
- To Nan -
Although it said that the average voter has a good income, it never said that they are from the upper class.
I do admit, however, that wealthy people tend to vote much more than others.
- To Rachel P -
I think that is a very good point (that if everyone voted there may have been different outcomes). I wonder what it would be like now if George Bush wasn't elected in 2000 and 2004
Most of the people that vote don't represent america because most people in america don't earn $100,000 a year or more. Rather than most people that don't vote are the larger population.
I agree with eric that most people blogged what I blogged just now.
Responding to nan ash
Truly in america there is no upper class because everybody has the same rights. Rather than in england a little over a 1,000 years ago only the king and queen got to do things that the lower class citizens wouldn't be able to do.
No,most voters don't vote because they don't feel connected to the issues at stake and the politicians.Americas decision for president is not what the majority of the people think.I think if politicians were more honest and got more done a greater amount of people would vote and this would make the voting process better because "less power to any one person."
I do not think so because not all of us are the "typical voter". For example, my votes and hs is not 65-74 and is a man but is "caucasion not hispanic" so it does represent him in some way
-Ligan hensley (dingle)
America is not represented by the whole nation because not everybody votes.
I agree with Parker and basically everybody else, that the people who vote have a bigger impact/say in the election because there are less people who vote total; therefore, each vote is worth more. Also, since not all people who can vote do vote, so the polls and outcome are based on the people who do vote. But wait, you said that the part of the population that votes, doe- oh! No, then the population that votes accurately doesn't represent all of america.
I agree with Angello because he points out how lots of people don't vote.
i disagree w/chandler... children aren't smart enough to vote... they are very much changed by their parents and don't think like adults.... it is important they don't vote!!!!
I pretty much agree with Emily and Parker on this. Also, the poll demonstrates only a portion of the people who vote, not everyone.
Angelo
responce towards Logans comment.
I totally and utterly agree with
logan because there is "less power to any one person" if the vwhole nation does not vote.
Yes, in general terms the popular vote usually gives the direction to the electoral college as to what the american public wants. The electoral college helps represent the minority interest.
gosh, alexander! ive checked my email! now calm down....
No, I do not think that the voting public represents all of the Americans vote, and also the people that are in the higher voting percentage have higher income and that does not represent the average Joe American, and only 63% of Americans voted. Although this is a significant increase from past years it is still not a very good percent of the people how voted. And the majority of the adverage Americans did not vote so it did not represent all of the American people. i agree with all of the other people.
No, because a lot of people do not vote because they do not care as much or they just don't want to. And if those citizens voted, it would effect the election majorly, and it would lessen the power of the people voting already.
Agree with XhiDae majorly, lots of people that are eligible to vote do not vote.
Great point Sam, i agree strongly with you.
It's actually kinda mathematical. For example, if you have ten people in all, and four of them don't vote, the remaining six get a bigger fraction of the votes. If all ten people had voted, then they each count as 1/10 of the final decision, whereas if you only had six, then they each get 1/6 of the final decision.
Did I confuse you all?
But Ben, Joe isn't "average". He must own this gigantic plumbing company to make that much money!
No the typical voter does NOT represent America because when you only have people you have good sturdy jobs and have a high income so they may not consider the people in poverty [ which is the majority of our country]. Also you want more voters because the less voters you have the more their vote counts
No, because if we based all of america by one persons profile, than we would all be ethier moderate in money, very low in money, or very high in money. We aree sll different and can't be compared.
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