To begin, young American's develop attitudes and form opinions that allow them to get along with society. These beliefs affect the political views they hold dear later in life. This is a result of the phenomenon known as political socialization. The strongest socializing agent in political socialization is the family. That is, most children eventually adopt the beliefs of their family. Therefore, most people believe in and vote for issues that are important to members of their preceding generation, especially their mothers. Additionally, the extent to which an individual is involved in the political process is shaped by his or her family's level of involvement. If a child is raised in a house that never votes, it is quite unlike

Next, there may be several temporary factors that contribute to American voting behavior, but party identification has always been a long-term regularity. Nearly two thirds of the electorate belongs to either the Republican or Democratic Party. These parties represent different beliefs. Democrats have long been known as the liberal party who encourage government spending programs, pro-choice legislation, and gun control, while the GOP has been conservative, warning of the adverse affects of government, supporting pro-life legislation, and absolute freedom of the second amendment. In the past, certain groups have consistently identified with certain parties. Catholics and women have always favored Democrats, while Anglo Saxon Protestants and the wealthy have supported the GOP. Voters tend to remain loyal to the party they identify with. With lack of a credible reason, a staunch Democrat or Republican will turn a blind eye to an unattractive intervening variable because long-term regularity, party ID, holds more significance. History has shown that massive shifts in party ID do occur. Before the 1932 critical Presidential election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a Republican era had swept the national. Roosevelt, the Democratic candidate, realigned the country. He brought forth a democratic era that has lasted to this day, which explains why more Americans identify with the democratic, rather than republican party. (Although a greater percentage of Democrats than Republicans choose not to vote)

In conclusion, voting is an important democratic tool, which is, in many cases, not utilized properly. To understand voting behavior is key to political success. The behavior of American voting, in my opinion, is in dire need of change.

Moreover, statistics show that certain group's turnout to vote in greater numbers than others. Individuals who are well educated, Jewish, elderly, or wealthy tend to turnout in high numbers. Turnout among Hispanics has increased recently, a fact evident to politicians who have been campaigning for their vote. Poor people, Southern African Americans, and the uneducated have low turnout numbers.

Some elected officials use political polling in an attempt to determine where the public stands on certain issues. It is key to realize that some polls give way to many inconsistencies. In limited cases, polls are inconsistent due to selection bias; they intentionally include or exclude those with distinct attitudes. If I were to ask only those who were members of the NRA if they believed in gun control, the poll would obviously be biased. Pollsters must also watch the way they frame questions, a fact evident with the "Holocaust Poll Fiasco" which showed that twenty two percent of American's thought that the Holocaust could be mere fiction. (According to America's New Democracy) Questions must be clear, worded properly, and never contain a double negative. If everything goes well, p

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1988
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)