Figure 1.8. Voter turnout as a percentage of voting age
population for Albuquerque and other
comparable cities, 1974–1989.

25

Figure 1.9. Typical voter turnout levels for various
elections, highest office on ballot.

26

Figure 1.10. Knowledge of presidential candidates’
issue positions, 2004.

31

Figure 1.11. Measures of public cynicism.

35

Figure 1.12. Confidence in major institutions: Percent
with a great deal or quite a lot of confidence.

36

Figure 2.1. Diagnosis of U.S. elections’ illness.

47

Figure 2.2. Competitive and uncompetitive U.S.
House races, 1982–2008.

57

Figure 2.3. Challenger spending as a percentage
of incumbent spending for U.S. House
and Senate races from 1976–2008
(general election candidates only).

61

Figure 2.4. State House and Senate challenger revenues
as a percent of incumbent revenues, 2004.

62

Figure 2.5. Average spending (in millions) in
gubernatorial elections by incumbent
governors and challengers, 1997–2004.

63