Voting In Politics

Voting is an expression of who people believe they are. Political ideologies are related to our values and we use politics as a way to share our values. Voting symbolizes our connection to a larger societal group. Studies also point to the idea that voting becomes a habit. Social pressure is a major influence on people's voting decisions; many people vote a particular way to fit in with a group. Social pressure that influences our political decisions may come from spouses, friends, parents, or religious leaders. The physical attractiveness of candidates is very important to their popularity. Other influencing factors look for are candidates they feels are confident, optimistic, trustworthy, experienced, friendly, emotionally sensitive but strong, and assert a plan of action. People's voting is also influenced by well known public figures like actors they view as intelligent and credible. Highly covered news events like Rep. Gabrielle Gifford and school shootings elicit public emotions and draw attention to certain issues like gun regulation and candidates who support it. People are inclined to vote for candidates they believe will best protect the country, their freedoms and ideals. Saddam Hussein being captured in 2003 boosted public opinion and support for George W. Bush in the 2004 election; Hurricane Katrina had the opposite effect. Positive or negative media coverage plays a big roll in how people view events and politicians.

There are many factor that people consider when casting their vote on a ballot. Household income is one important voting influence, income is in turn influenced by other factors such as a person's profession, the job market, and political economic policies. If people feel the rich are not paying enou...

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...t is ever brought to a vote. Her study shows that political contributions carry more weight in the states with higher paid legislators. Money also has greater influence in states where the advantage of the majority party could be lost in either a close race or because an incumbent has aspiration of running for higher office. Campaign donations carry less power in states that have more educated voters and term limits; it can predict how much time legislators spend on personal and party fundraising. The need for more fundraising means interests groups spend more time with legislators, and it logically follows that they are more likely to listen and be swayed by the concerns of the interests groups. Thus the more evenly divided the electorate between parties in a state or county, like swing states, the more influence money has on politicians, bills, and public policy.