Title: Voting as Political Participation | Boundless Political Science
Headings: Voting as Political Participation
Voting as Political Participation
Voting as Political Participation
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Voting
Voter Registration: The First Step to Participation
Voter Turnout
Other Forms of Political Participation
Learning Objectives
Key Takeaways
Key Points
Key Terms
Contacting Public Officials
Donating Money, Time, and Resources to a Campaign
Running for Office
Participating by Protesting
Being a Part of Civil Society
Participating in Support Activities
Symbolic Participation and Symbolic Non-Participation

Content: Voter turnout in the current era has not fluctuated much since voting participation during universal suffrage in 1920. Forty-nine percent of the voting-age public cast a ballot in the 1924 presidential contest, the same percentage as in 1996. Turnout in presidential elections in the 1960s was over 60 percent. More voters were mobilized during this period of political upheaval and people focused on issues of race relations, social welfare, and the Vietnam War. Turnout was lower in the 1980s and 1990s, when the political climate was less tumultuous. There has been a steady increase in turnout since the 2000 presidential election, in which 51 percent of the voting-age public cast a ballot. Turnout in the 2008 election was greater than usual, at 57 percent. 2008 Election: Participation in the 2008 presidential election was greater than usual, as people were motivated by the open race and the candidate choices. Other Forms of Political Participation
Besides voting, there are many other ways to take part in politics, each involving varying amounts of skill, time, and resources.