Political Participation and the 2022 Elections
Political participation can take many forms. One form that usually is a good predictor for what will happen in an election is campaign donations. When one party’s candidates are receiving a larger number of donations than the other, that is usually a sign that party has momentum going into the election. While there was plenty of talk among political pundits about a “red wave” forming, the donations data did not point in that direction; Democrats heavily outraised Republicans in 2022. In addition, Democrats received a boost in fundraising after the Dobbs decision showing they were gaining momentum. 2022 also many protests and rallies over the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson, another form of political participation. These protests were another signal that the Supreme Court decision was encouraging people to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: Political Participation and the 2022 Elections
Videos
News Articles
Dem Candidates Swamp GOP in House Fundraising
Politico
10/17/2022
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/10/17/democratic-candidates-house-fundraising-00062110
Congressional Fundraising Climate Favors Democrats
Roll Call
10/17/2022
https://rollcall.com/2022/10/17/congressional-fundraising-climate-favors-democrats/
Senate Democrat’s Campaign Arm Sees Roe Surge, Outraises GOP Counterparts in Second Quarter
ABC News
07/20/2022
Thousands Protest End to Constitutional Right to an Abortion
New York Times
06/24/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/24/us/roe-wade-abortion-supreme-court
Republicans’ Small-Dollar Fundraising Sputters as Democrat’s Lead Grows
Washington Post
07/21/2022
GOP’s Lackluster Fundraising Spurs Post-Election Infighting
LA Times
11/21/2022
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-11-21/la-na-pol-gop-fundraising-infighting
Midterm Matchup: When It Comes to Fundraising, So Far Democrats Lead
Christian Science Monitor
08/11/2022
Assessment
Debate: Why would people want to donate money to political candidates?
What regulations on protest do you think should be allowed?
Poll: Do You Know Anyone That Attended a Protest After the Dobbs Decision?
Have you ever donated money to a political candidate?
Short Answer: What causes would you be willing to attend a protest to support?
