91B0FBB4-04A9-D5D7-16F0F3976AA697ED
C9A22247-E776-B892-2D807E7555171534

Philip Klinkner, the James S. Sherman Associate Professor of Government, was interviewed for this article about the lack of black voters in the California recall election. According to the article, "Only 6 percent of registered African-American voters participated." Klinkner said, "There is a defensiveness in voting. People with a stake are much more likely to vote. White people feel they had a stake in California." 

In the article, Klinkner noted that language barriers and the fact that many Hispanics are not citizens and thus cannot vote have a major effect on voter turnout among them. Klinkner also noted that cultural differences play a role in civic participation. "If they are coming from a place where civic duty is not as strong as it is here, they might not participate," he said. "Maybe family tends to be more important."

Klinkner also suggested that Schwarzenegger--who scored well among Hispanic voters despite Bustamante's presence on the ballot--could have appealed to them because of his background as an immigrant.

 

Help us provide an accessible education, offer innovative resources and programs, and foster intellectual exploration.

Site Search