federalism with a little layered and marble cake. as a work on our what does it , c-spanbe american student camera documentaries. thanks to our -- middle school, showcasing their student camera project. john garner tweeted kicking off their student camera final project, answering the question, what does it mean to be an american? harrisburg academy tweeted my g7 student on a outing thursday morning. students are able to get some pictures for the classroom student camera documentary. this year for student camera, where asking middleton high school students to produce a five to six minute documentary. we are awarded $100,000 in cash prizes. including a grand prize of $5,000. the deadline is generate 20th.

-- january 20. >> election day is getting closer. we are joined by a professor of public affairs and government at american university here nation's capital. why people choose not to vote in inctions, in general it is the midterm elections. why do people give reasons for not voting? >> it a lot of times the reports of it have information about the election. they don't care of it all have -- or have anything to do with politics. the midtermt cutouts lower than the presidential elections. have you always been the case? have trout levels in the united states the low?

test turnout levels in the u.s. been low? >> there is a lower turnout in midterms compared to presidential elections. there is far less information and campaign excitement. and mobilization activities in those midterms. historically presidential elections, the turnout house not declined systematically, but tends to go up a little bit are down a little bit depending on the campaign. but the issues of the day. whether the economy is good or not and other factors influencing individuals decisions. on the election avenue president 2016 and the issues surrounding the 2014 midterms, what is your sense looking at it of how a turnout will be this year? most people are expecting a high turnout, the question is, whether the will be a partisan difference? oftentimes is, where the supporters and the presidential

election of the winning party, they stay home. satisfied or even disappointed by what happened. so they don't go to the extra effort to make it to the polls in the midterms. often times, turnout is higher for the opposing party. the out party. his activists and voters simply want to make a difference. any data to support or to show the effect of a couple of things where voter id is required or states where there are fewer polling places the may be historically had been , or any data on the impact of hacking and other tampering election systems. >> we don't have any systematic that causeting laws

we collect a fair amount of evidence that's it is of these changes make it more difficult. whether the change in precinct, having them further away from your home or place of business, can have a negative effect on turnout. photo id laws. often times have a negative effect on turnout. you're making it more difficult for people to turn out. it is easier to stay home. the interesting thing about for a id is often times, there is a counter mobilization effect. it becomes a political issue. while the adoption of the lot might -- law might have a turnout, you will see people respond to that third. >> where do we compare to the rest of the world in terms of voter turnout? >> are turnout is generally lower but that has to do with details about election laws and

election districts. especially, we are different but that's. >> she is a professor of government and public affairs and school of government at a american university. joining us to talk for the upcoming election and why people don't vote. we want to hear from you in particular. here is a phone line to use. host: we will look to hear from you and love to hear why you choose not to vote in elections. if you go ines are some elections, and if you always. particularly those of you who did not vote. would also to hear from you on twitter or on our facebook page. the washington post had a story

that shows their poll that appears voters appear ready to beat 2014. the criticalefore midterm election, voters are expressing significantly more interest in turning up they were four years ago. they've been up across all demographic groups. they are greater among younger adults. who say they are in favor for democrats in the house. they are younger and nonwhite voters are underrepresented. >> young voters are underrepresented. when you compare voters and presidential elections in younger voters who actually lose their voting power because the turnout rates are so much lower than those of older adults. that has been a historical

pattern temporarily changed. there is a bump up and younger turnouts. in obama's first election. that was about it. today, 29 million hispanics are a little -- eligible to vote. elections,'s midterm making a 12 point 8% of all eligible folders at all-time high. it could prove critical. congressth chambers of right that that overall increases tempered by the fact that hispanics have underperformed on election day compared with white and black voters. we have calls waiting. on our line for those who sometimes though, will you hear from charles. caller: good morning. i vote almost every chance i

can. i did 10 years and afghanistan and i was not always able to get my absentee ballot time but otherin than that i almost always vote. is peopleam i to say realize that the reason we build the first tuesday in november is so that the farmers can get their crops in at the end of the summer. voting on the weekends is a sin. i would like to see election date moved to april 15 to help focus the mind on the election. in 1900father was born worried -- 1900. he thought that roosevelt hung the moon. outside voting was very important. host: change the election day is

a reason for wide is the first tuesday in november. >> your historical details are excellent. why we have done elections when we have. , there was just a letter in the washington post this week proposing that academics have proposed and started a group. move to makeoup to election day holiday. -- election is on a weekend or a holiday or people have off of work. if we want higher turnout, making it easier, can make a difference. host: good morning. because ialways vote

think that is one of the only things, actually voting and jury that are one of two things we can do as citizens. , having served my military, was a huge responsibility. it would behold on us as citizens to do our duty as american citizens. asking to vote and serve on jury duty. when i hear people say that they do not vote, for whatever reason, then why are you a citizen of the united states? there's not a constitutional obligation to vote, but is it your sense that throughout history there has been a civic duty to vote. guest: it is a widely held

belief in older individuals, we are seeing a generational difference here. a shift in thinking. citizenship and responsibility being a member of his community. among younger individuals, there is not nearly a notion. thes a choice you make one might take her not take. is one unique or duty-bound about cassie that your vote. now, this is a look at the turnout by author elections come up going back from 1974 all the way through 2010. to 75.e group, 61 right here at the top in terms

of office year election turnout, and 18 to 24, down here. these seem to be the same flow when you look at income and the slight decline of turnaround from the midterms here. we do not have 2014 in there. we are seeking a downward trend. that reflect the issues of the day. election alsoal theysizes the more effort put into getting people to vote because of the issues at stake. or control of the house at stake. whatever the politics of it is when elite candidates and parties, independent groups, tell people they need to vote and ask people, try to give them information. then we see an increase in turnout. power,s the party at a

didn't have an upper hand in terms of the enthusiasm for turning out the vote. policies and actions of the party in power over the past previous two years have either threaten them or they stand in opposition of those actions. they can step up and do something about that. host: this set aside a line of those you who do not vote. vote?s why you did not caller: i do not trust the system. technology that we have today. i just don't trust the system. i don't know how common -- tech knowledge he technology is, but it is confusing and frustrating. each state is different.

some states to spend more money for local voting. trying to do their best to make it easy and safe. and secure for individuals. it can be frustrating. to know how the system is set up in that particular precinct. we'll hear from dominik too is a regular voter. i think this is more important than any other because we have congress and the senate but just want to stop this every chance they get. i am begging my kids. they're all democrats. we cannot stop the trump agenda, everybody is doing well. i had a father's day party at my house in everybody -- every person that came was worried about losing their home.

everything is going well. getave to go out there and this agenda moving. i hope everyone does the right thing in both republican -- and those republican. host: you are on the line go ahead. caller: first, thank you for c-span and washington journal. i called in on the sometimes vote lined and although i'm calling from connecticut, at or to vote in manhattan. isetimes the candidate that up for election because of the number of registered democrats in manhattan, it is almost futile to vote. that is why i sometimes would not vote.

macron to representative, my prediction is that he will win the upcoming election by 75%. it is a lopsided situation. i would like to say that for those people interested in voter participation, donald trump is going to increase voter neveripation to heights seen before. that increasing the voter participation today, i think in. think -- thank him. guest: one of the things donald trump has done in a distinctive way, but with the color suggested, he is giving individuals a choice on some policies in the variety of important public policies on immigration and the economy. he is making very clear choices

and take a different stance and it past president of candidates they were not willing to make the claims or offer arguments that he is made. you to do number students who may be voted for the first time. american university has highly engaged undergraduate student body and they this year are quite enthusiastic about getting out to vote. and voting. they will be there. tweet year says we should make registration automatic with the drivers license and the store on that, the success of that in georgia, voters havelf of been registered including an increase in the voters in the

ranks of women. much of that increase is the result of a change to drivers license forms in two years ago. under a republican with the change, new applicants are automatically rested to vote unless they opt out. popular across the country. guest: has been adopted by a number of states. it has some slight effect of automatic registration. but have to remember, just because you make it automatic to be registered, it doesn't connected to the candidates are the issues in the campaign. importanta case is a ae, where stacey abrams has lot of resources and door-to-door mobilization of getting those registered voters to test their ballots. you have to have both of those things in place to have your voice heard.

host: this from the associated press in a story about voting in terms of re-registering the tyga by woman who try to preregister by a month left before the race her application was sitting on hold. on it like it many people on that list which is predominantly african, may not even know their voter registration has been held. the secretary of state is a republican candidate for governor. guest: the registration is on hold because they do not exactly match identification. voter list are notoriously error filled in very difficult to match to drivers licenses. especially for unique names. there are a lot of issues

getting the exact match. host: go ahead. caller: i am a second year law student and i have always voted. one of the things i've studied in my undergrad degree was judicial elections and how there are few people participate. that begs the question of whether it is a democratic contest. the same thing with the midterms and the presidential but he only have 40% or less of the actual electorate turning out, is that a democratic contest? those who do not vote are really abdicating civic duties. host: what is your thought on his take on the election? guest: elections are tough. you have a shift from appointments to having elections

, are often times given by spending and we do not know exactly who is doing the spending. individuals on a daily basis have very little information in the media or in communities about the actions or decisions or effectiveness of judges. one might argue that they are on a appointment system. superior to a low turnout election which might not represent the full body of potential voters. host: good morning. caller: good morning. i tried calling to talk to you. i am a 60-year-old white male. i've never voted there are all

of the years, shame on me. but because of everything that i have seen going on throughout the past year, especially from the democratic seniors. atm totally disgusted and -- their behavior. ineel a need to do my part opposing my vote and the could do it through the computer. you can do it in person. so i urge everybody, please get out and vote. host: are you going to do it in person or on line? a better part of it online but i will be receiving paperwork. i'm disabled. i will mail it back in. host: there is no president on

the ballot. what is the status of the absentee programs across the country? whose programs are lacking? guest: the programs are widely .upported and valued the state election officials really know how to manage those in be very effective. one of the challenges of getting the ballots back on time so that they are and will be counted. some citizens are doubtful. one interesting trend we are seeking his citizens are more likely to drop ballots off at election boxes or election locations. was it but that in the mel watt, there are not sure if they will arrive. experience, ithe

was to my children into the booth is me and explained that fulfilling one of the two duties of citizenship, voting and jury duty. they understood that. good morning. caller: good morning. it is amazing to me how the same bad ideas keep -- improving elections. the only answer to really restore democracy is to rename election day procrastination day. i believe other states have. is a now election day three-hour window for 40 million people. the latter two hours long. hour-long.re too

the case has not been made that basically democracy is a sham and that a lot of people are deprived of the opportunity to vote just because the window is so short. a repeated suggestion about election day being a holiday, that would cost the economy billions of dollars for a state to provide a election season, costing them millions of dollars. guest: election officials are individuals trying to -- winning -- when all the people will show up. making it easier for citizens to vote.

mother the practical issue. it is a practical issue. maryland has a extensive early voting season. one of the interesting implications in this is 33 single election day. and election day with a community event. you knew the members in your community. why the consequences of these election reforms. at home with your absentee ballot, a connection to the local community. which changes the experience. host: the co-author of who votes now. we'll get one more call. this is daniel who does not vote. group as a

republican never voted because it seemed like it doesn't really matter? year, the presidency and after this whole kavanaugh duty andelt it was my i allowed -- had a lot of friends that never voted. where it's a much of how the democrats will out win on the voting days. but i'm not seeing it in my area. everybody is all fired up to go voting. the question was, why is it such a big issue to have a photo id to be able to vote. that?you are in favor of caller: i don't understand what

that is an issue. host: to have that in indiana? ,uest: one of the challenges for many people, is not summon that we already have. -- something that we already have. havee who do not drive or more rural residents, older in their 70'so and 80's, might not have the paperwork that they need or have official documentation. of what they have to go to to secure the information might not seem as easy is what you might expect. frustrated -- about sending in line on election day, imagine trying to sort out your records to get the foot id and

to have to do that a month in advance. for many people, a photo id is just part of modern life. the two colors who said they didn't vote but the first election they are going to vote thing we arer going to see an uptick? caller: yes. it is about the politics. host: they you for being with us this morning. starting live here shortly on c-span we are at the cartridge foundation today. a discussion about the first amendment and whether hate speech should be outlawed. we'll be hearing from a law professor who is the author of : why we should resist it with free speech not censorship."