The concept of voter turnout
Explain the concept of voter turnout and describe trends in voter turnout over time in the United States. Describe some of the factors that influence rates of voter turnout. Why do voting rates in the United States lag significantly behind those in most other developed countries. What reforms might be pursued in the United States to increase voter turnout in elections? Do you think reforms should be implemented in an effort to increase voter turnout in the United Sates? Please explain your answer.
Sample Solution
Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible citizens who participate in a given election. In the United States, voter turnout has fluctuated over time with an overall trend of declining participation rates since the 1960s (McDonald, 2015). This trend can be attributed to several factors that impact how likely people are to vote:
The first factor is socio-economic status. Generally speaking, those with lower incomes and less education tend to have reduced access to voting opportunities due to barriers such as lack of transportation or limited knowledge on registration/voting procedures (Krogstad & Lopez, 2016). Additionally, people of color are also more likely than their white counterparts to face additional challenges when trying to cast their ballots – such as language barriers or intimidation tactics used by poll workers against certain communities.
Another factor that influences voter turnout is age. Younger voters tend not participate at the same rate as older members of our society due issues such as apathy towards politics or feeling disenchanted from our democratic systems altogether (Erikson & Pevehouse, 2018). Furthermore, media campaigns aimed at younger generations may be ineffective if messages don’t target specific interests such as environmental protection or student loan reform.
Finally – geography comes into play when discussing voter turnout rates. Rural areas typically have lower overall participation levels compared with urban centers due lack of resources available in certain parts country which can make it harder for individuals living in these locations access polls on Election Day.
Overall – while there has been a general decline in voter turnout over time within the United States – multiple factors come into play when discussing why some people choose not take part in elections including socio-economic status and demographic characteristics. Thus – strategies should aim address these various issues order increase engagement amongst all eligible citizens regardless income level, race/ethnicity, political background etc.
