Voter Statistics Sites

http://elections.gmu.edu/voter_turnout.htm

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/socdemo/voting/index.html

http://www.esri.com/industries/elections/business/demographics.html

http://democracysouth.org/vcmwp/?p=53

Project Campaign Finance

Each student selects a House race from 2004 (this way they have complete information), preferably a district that they have some familiarity with, and looks for information to answer the following questions:

How much money did each candidate raise?
What proportion of funds came from individual contributions?
What were the occupations of individual contributors?
What proportion of the district's population contributed to candidates in the House race?
In what part of the district did most individual contributors live?
What sorts of organizations provided funding? Were they related to the district?
If there was an incumbent, how did the level and sources of contributions for challengers compare with the incumbent's resources?
Did the candidate with the most money win?

Based on the information collected, students should discuss the following questions:

If money is important to representation, then who is more likely to be represented in the district?

Is it possible to represent noncontributors?

Contributing to campaigns is a form of free speech. Do you think contributors in your district are speaking with a "louder" voice? Why or why not?

How similar or different are the candidates' socioeconomic status levels to that of the district?
Does the present campaign finance system ensure fair elections and a choice? If yes, explain the characteristics that promote fair elections and real choices. If no, describe an alternative campaign finance system that would accomplish these goals.


Here are four Web sites that students can use to answer the questions.
Federal Election CommissionThe federal government's official site contains a description of present campaign finance laws. Students can search information on campaign contributions in several ways. For example, they can search a particular candidate's campaign contribution receipts and sources, access a list of individual contributors and amounts to any campaign by zip code, and find campaign receipts by various campaign committees. The site also posts the latest rulings on campaign finance violations. Individuals can subscribe to podcasts of FEC meetings. Federal Election Commission

Opensecrets.orgThe site provides good graphical representation of campaign finance sources by type -- individuals, interest groups, and in-state and out-of-state contributions. opensecrets.org

Fund Race 2004This is limited to information on the 2004 presidential race. What makes the site interesting is the ability to see who in your neighborhood contributed to the 2004 presidential campaigns. The site presents a national map of contributions based on county, three-digit zip codes, and state. Fund Race 2004

Campaign Finance Information CenterThe site has links to state government organizations responsible for reporting campaign contributions in state elections. The quality of the information and ease of access varies by state. Campaign Finance Organization Center

Reading Assignments

Original Meanings: Chapter IV

Federalists and Antifederalists: Chapter I

The Bill of Rights: Chapter III