Why do so few people vote in the U.S.?

Question

Compare U.S. voting with foreign voting and it's not a pretty sight. Americans are less apt to vote than are people in other old democracies, in new ones, in dangerous places, dirt poor ones, freezing cold ones, stinking hot ones and highly dysfunctional ones.

Answer 1

At least part of it is apathy and laziness. Too many people don't really care, and feel that they can't make any difference, so why bother.

But at least part of it is because of the two-party system we've been locked into. Between congressional gerrymandering and the electoral college as implemented, all third-party candidates are largely shut out at the federal level, and don't get much support at local levels. So, many who would support a third-party candidate don't bother wasting their time, because their votes are literally not even counted.

Answer 2

Many Americans are foolish enough to believe that their one vote doesn't make a difference. It would definitely make a difference if all the non-voters got out and voted. They just don't get that. Plus there are a lot of lazy people in this country. Too busy watching television...

Answer 3

I think its because americans have gotten lazy over the years. They dont seem to think there vote will make a difference, but if you have 3000 people thinking that way, then it makes a huge impact. Also we take advantage of our freedoms and our democracy, we think it will always be there so why do we need to vote, our founding fathers had to work extremly hard to get us our freedoms and to set up tis democracy, we need to fight just as hard to keep it going!

Answer 4

Too many people have voter apathy. They believe that their vote is meaningless. Maybe the answer is to make people work to be able to vote. Pass a basic civics class or something along those lines. If they have to put some effort into it maybe they will start to value it a bit more.

Answer 5

Its sad that more people do not vote, considering blacks fought for their right to, and women as well. Really, all Americans fought for their right to vote at one time or another (revolutionary war) and still many sit at home on election day because they don't feel like starting up the car. Its dissapointing

Answer 6

The ones who do not vote are the ones who scream the loudest about the injustice in the judicial system, and in congress. If they voted, they wouldn`t have anything to cry, whine, and protest.

Answer 7

Because their votes do not make a difference,
because Repubs and Dems are now both the same it wont make any difference,
because Bush stole the last 2 elections despite the overwhelming evidence that said the Dems won,

So why bother? Its not likely to make a difference this election either.

Answer 8

Look at who you have had to pick from lately. It is not very motivating.

George carlin says you get to choose from 107 different breakfast cereals, but only two jokers for president. It gives the illusion that you have some choice, but not over things that are important.

Answer 9

i vote every time. you're right people don't vote here they should most people who don't vote are the ones that are calling the politician's names etc . i think one good reason is its not as easy here as you think the polls go up in schools . and alot of people are working . boss wont let you off traffic is bad etc most don't register because thats how they get you for jury duty . jury duty sucks. lawyers lie cheat and steal as bad as polititians. i could go on a and on

Answer 10

Americans are well fed and relatively safe. When people's basic needs are being well met, they tend to accept minor annoyances without too much of a fuss.