Another offering of the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population survey, November 2008 . Pertains to voting patterns as they are related to family income levels. It shows the clear potential for the issues and values of those in upper income levels being forced upon those at lower income levels. But, it also show how easy it would be to change that if those in the lower income levels were more active in voting.

Voting Patterns as They Relate to Income:

Family Income Level

Population Percent & Count of Group (in thousands)

Percent Registered & Count (in thousands)

Percent Registered that Reported They Voted & Count (in thousands)

All levels

100% (168,032)

66.00% (110,901)

59.70% (66,208)

Less than $10,000

3.12% (5,239)

52.10% (2,730)

41.30% (1,127)

$10,000 to $14,999

3.25% (5,461)

50.70% (2,769)

41.20% (1,141)

$15,000 to $19,999

3.03% (5,084)

52.60% (2,674)

44.30% (1,185)

$20,000 to $29,999

8.18% (13,749)

57.20% (7,864)

48.00% (3775)

$30,000 to $39,999

9.61% (16,150)

62.20% (10,045)

54.40% (5,465)

$40,000 to $49,999

7.4% (12,547)

65.40% (8,206)

58.20% (4,776)

$50,000 to $74,999

17.83% (29,959)

72.70% (21,780)

65.90% (14,353)

$75,000 to $99,999

11.35% (19,075)

77.80% (14,840)

72.60% (10,774)

$100,000 to 149,999

10.92% (18,344)

82.20% (15,079)

74.90% (11,294)

$150,000 and over

7.83% (13,151)

82.30% (10,823)

78.10% (8,453)

Income not reported

17.4% (29,272)

49.50% (14,490)

45.40% (6,578)

This information gives a better picture when the scope is broadened. While the Census Bureau has the data in percent, I find that by looking at the actual counts you get a better picture of what is actually going on.

Roughly half of the population can be found within the $75,00 to $99,999 family income group, the $100,000 to $149,999 family income group, the $150,000 and over income group, and the Income not reported group. Three of these four groups also represent the highest percentage of registered voters. Given that the percentage is based upon the number of individual within that group (not of all voters), that means that more than 1/2 of all registered voters are represented by those same groups (55,232 of 110,901). They also represent the highest number of those reporting that they voted, again by more than 1/2 (37,099 of 66,208).

The lower registration rate and voting rate of those in the Less than $10,000 through the $74,999 brackets result in the majority of voting power belonging to those in the $75,000 and higher or not reported group. Thus, it is those voters in families reporting incomes of $75,000 and higher that are ‘dictating the dance’ for those in lower income brackets. Their fates ultimately reside in the attitudes and values of the larger voting block. However, encouraging these individuals to register and to vote could turn the tables on this and lead to a better representation of the population. (You won’t get a standard curve on the existing data!)

If you or someone you know is one of the representatives of the lower income level groups, take the time to consider registering to vote it you haven’t, talk to others and encourage them to register, then…MOST IMPORTANT…get out and vote. Simply increasing the percentage of participation in the voting process could create a shift towards equal representation regardless of income.

Oh…what next in this little data quest?:) Race? Sex? Marital Status? Education level? So many choices:)