Why Americans Don’t Vote (and What to Do About It) | NYT Opinion

Summary

The video explores the paradox of low voter turnout in the U.S., despite Americans' reverence for the founding fathers and democracy. It identifies three key reasons for this: the belief that voting doesn't matter, the discouragement caused by the system, and confusion around voting requirements. The script highlights how low-income and young voters are especially affected, and how this leads to disenfranchisement. It also suggests solutions like automatic voter registration and early voting, drawing inspiration from other democracies to improve voter engagement and participation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Americans have a contradictory relationship with voting, admiring the founding fathers but often not participating in the democracy they pioneered.
• 😀 The U.S. has one of the lowest voter turnout rates among developed countries, ranking 26th out of 32.
• 😀 If 'Didn't Vote' were a candidate in the 2016 election, it would have won by a landslide.
• 😀 Over 100 million Americans didn't vote in the 2016 election, with only about 56% of eligible voters casting a ballot.
• 😀 Many non-voters believe that voting doesn't make a difference, with younger voters particularly feeling that the system is corrupt.
• 😀 Two-thirds of non-voters report that they don't pay attention to politics due to its corrupt nature, which perpetuates the lack of participation.
• 😀 The U.S. system discourages participation, with wealthier, more educated individuals voting at higher rates than low-income, uneducated individuals.
• 😀 Low-income communities are often underrepresented in government due to systemic barriers like gerrymandering and restrictive voter ID laws.
• 😀 Confusion about voting requirements, such as registration deadlines and ID laws, makes it difficult for potential voters, especially young ones, to participate.
• 😀 Younger voters, especially those aged 18-29, have extremely low voter turnout, with only 16% of eligible voters in this age group participating in the 2014 midterms.
• 😀 The core issue is a lack of trust in the political system, but solutions like automatic voter registration, early voting access, and online voting could improve turnout.
• 😀 In other developed democracies, shorter election cycles, weekend elections, and online voting have helped increase voter participation.

Q & A

Why is voter turnout in the United States so low compared to other developed countries?

Voter turnout in the U.S. is low due to several factors, including political disillusionment, systemic discouragement, and confusion about voting requirements. These issues, combined with deliberate efforts to limit access to voting in certain communities, contribute to low participation.

What would have happened if 'Didn’t Vote' had been a candidate in the 2016 election?

'Didn’t Vote' would have won by a landslide, as it represents the over 100 million eligible voters who did not participate in the election. This trend of non-voting would have led to a victory in every U.S. presidential election over the last 100 years.

What is the main reason why many people, especially young voters, choose not to vote?

The primary reason is a belief that voting doesn't make a difference. Many non-voters, especially the youth, feel that politics is corrupt and that their vote won’t impact the outcome.

How does the two-party system contribute to voter disengagement?

The two-party system leads to a lack of representation for many Americans, as only 22% of voters believe it reflects the will of the people. This sense of misrepresentation further discourages people from participating in the electoral process.

What role does education and income play in voter turnout?

Education and income are the most accurate predictors of whether someone will vote. Wealthier, college-educated individuals tend to vote at higher rates than low-income or less-educated individuals, leading to unequal representation in government.

How do efforts by lawmakers affect voter turnout?

Lawmakers, particularly Republicans in certain states, have implemented laws to lower voter turnout among low-income communities and minorities. This includes measures like gerrymandering, restrictive voter I.D. laws, and limiting access to early voting, which disproportionately impact Democrats.

Why is voter confusion a barrier to participation?

Voter confusion arises because each state has different registration deadlines, voter I.D. requirements, and early voting schedules. This lack of uniformity, especially for younger voters who are often transient due to college or work, makes it harder for many to know how or when to vote.

How does the transient nature of younger voters affect their likelihood to vote?

Young voters, particularly those in college or moving for work, often feel disconnected from local politics, which, combined with low enthusiasm for politics in general, leads to significantly lower voter turnout among this demographic.

What are some examples of solutions to boost voter turnout?

Solutions that have been shown to boost voter turnout include automatic voter registration, easier access to early voting, shorter election cycles, online voting, and weekend elections. These approaches have been successful in various states and countries.

How can a democracy be improved through voting?

In a democracy, voting is a critical tool for the people to change the system. By participating in elections, citizens can influence political outcomes and ensure that their voices are heard, which in turn strengthens the democratic process.