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Final Paper

American democracy is celebrated globally as an example for all other democracies to model their governments upon. Despite this prestigious reputation, the United States has lower voter turnout rates than many other democracies.

During this summative assignment, students will analyze and compare voter turnout for Presidential elections over recent decades. Students will examine three recent election turnouts to assess voter behavior. The three voter turnout case studies to be examined are for the Presidential elections of 1996, 2000 and 2008. Each case study will compare and contrast the characteristics designated in the template below. After completing all three voter turnout case studies, students will evaluate what policies, efforts and actions were successful at increasing voter turnout. The complete assignment should be between eight to ten pages in length. Students should ensure they answer the following questions with respect to the election year case studies and follow this general outline:

Introduction
Case Study #1 Voter Turnout 1996

• What was the aggregate voter turnout for the 1996 election?
• Is this turnout level higher or lower than normal election turnout?
• Based on the outcome of the 1996 election (Bill Clinton elected), what key variable(s) might best explain the outcome; rules, political realities, strategies, or choices?
• Were there any demographic patterns that played a major factor in the selection of the winner?

Case Study #2 Voter Turnout 2000 

• What was the aggregate voter turnout for the 2000 election?
• Is this turnout level higher or lower than normal election turnout?
• Based on the outcome of the 2000 election (George W. Bush elected), what key variable(s) might best explain the outcome; rules, political realities, strategies, or choices?
• Were there any demographic patterns that played a major factor in the selection of the winner?

Case Study #3 Voter Turnout 2008

• What was the aggregate voter turnout for the 2008 election?
• Is this turnout level higher or lower than normal election turnout?
• Based on the outcome of the 2008 election (Barack Obama elected), what key variable(s) might best explain the outcome; rules, political realities, strategies, or choices?
• Were there any demographic patterns that played a major factor in the selection of the winner?

Compare, Contrast, and Conclude

• Describe the unique aspects of voter turnout based on each of the election case studies.
• Evaluate the demographic patterns and the effects of lower voter turnout based on each of the election case studies.
• Compare and contrast the voter turnout, and the effectiveness of major efforts (by political parties, interest groups, or the news media) to increase voter turnout, between the election case studies. Support your comparison with the similarities and differences of each case.
• Analyzes a variety of factors that impacted voter turnout in each election case study and/or could impact future election cycles. Support your analysis with examples of rules, political realities, strategies, and/or choices of political actors.

Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:

• Must be eight to ten double-spaced pages in length (excluding title and reference pages), and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a title page with the following:
  • Title of paper
  • Student’s name
  • Course name and number
  • Instructor’s name
  • Date submitted
• Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
• Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
• Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
• Must use at least five scholarly resources.
• Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
• Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.