why are so many young persons who have the right to vote, not voting? why are americans typically apathetic ab

Question

why are so many young persons who have the right to vote, not voting? why are americans typically apathetic about voting in general elections?

Answer 1

public education or lack thereof and apathetic parents are creating a generation of people who cant think for themselves........ political zombies

Answer 2

In many ways Americans are lazy today. The are also irresponsible, and don't take serious issues seriously. Many of the people I work with feel that "their votes don't count" and "it is too hard to learn about the issues/candidates" or even better "all the candidate's are corrupt and thieves anyway".

It makes me angry, I have always voted. I feel that if you don't vote, you aren't taking responsibility for living here...and what goes on here. If you don't like the candidates...then find someone you do like and help them run! If you don't like the issues then get involved and change things.

Thousands of Men and Women have died to give us the opportunity to govern ourselves. Thousands of Men and Women are still dieing to protect that right and help others achieve that right. How hard is it to pick up a newspaper or watch a debate? How hard is it to take 15 minutes out of your day once a year to go to the poles and VOTE? Voting is not just a right. It is a responsibility...one that should be taught in school, at home, at community events, and at every available opportunity.

Answer 3

Your 1st question: young people have always been apathetic about voting, it's nothing new. They also tend to go without health insurance. As they mature, they start to understand the consequences of whether they go to the voting booth.

Your 2nd question: Americans are apathetic about voting because it makes very little difference. Bush 41 said, "no new taxes" and we got new taxes. Clinton said, "the era of big government is over" and we got a bigger government. Bush 43 said we would have a smaller government and it's bigger than ever. The Republican Freshmen of 1994 said they would deliver a smaller, less onerous government and it ballooned into an even bigger bureaucracy.

Americans are apathetic about voting, but they are rationally apathetic.

Answer 4

I can only speak for myself, as I battle these feelings every election. We don't vote for the president. The electoral college does. So it feels like a survey. I usually don't like the options of politicians to vote for. I often know little to nothing about many candidates because advertising is big business and many people aren't willing or able to spend the money to announce their candidacy or expound their views. Usually, if I like a candidate, they aren't elected EVER, so it feels, again, more like a survey...this many people voted for this person AND LOST. I take the propositions a little more seriously and this is what keeps me hanging in there. With those our votes usually matter, unless of course a judge overturns it. Which, again, makes me wonder why bother? Just the feelings I go through and over come every election.

Answer 5

Because they don't care as much about the bread and butter issues, such as the economy, as most of them either aren't working or have just started working. And many don't feel their vote makes a difference (if anything, the last two elections should have taught us is that every vote counts).

And whoever thinks you don't vote for President and the Electoral College is somehow completely independent knows nothing about how the Electoral College works.

Answer 6

They are not voting for a very good reason. They don't have thoughtful opinions on the issues -- yet.

It is entirely natural that very young adults who have not lived and worked in the real world very long to not have answers to political questions.

They are being very responsible by NOT voting when they don't have a clue -- yet -- whats going on.

Most of them will vote when they feel they are ready. Give them a break.

Answer 7

I don't know about the young people but I can't vote in the primaries. I'm an independent besides, there isn't anyone worth voting for in the elections these days. They all should be thrown in jail or out of the country. They are (for the most part) criminal lawyers meaning that they are lawyers and they are criminals.

Answer 8

Why do people vote that do not know for who or for what they are voting for? Get informed before you vote, don't vote one way or another unless you know what you are voting for.

Answer 9

Do you REALLY want people who only watch shows like Jerry Springer voting?? Scary thought.

Answer 10

By giving up your opportunity to vote, you also give up your right to complain....