Why does the world's greatest democracy only get 50% turnout even during a presidential election year?

Question

For all you comedians, I mean the United States.

Answer 1

The Democrats and Republicans love to perpetuate the myth that it's a matter of "apathy." This is nonsense. The true reason is the lack of a real choice.

The fact is there is no significant difference between the "two" parties. On all but a few hot-button issues, they are no more than a few degrees apart. On those hot-button issues (abortion, gay rights, etc.), they manage to consistently create a situation where these issues are always a handful (at most) of votes from a clear resolution, so they can be recycled for the next election.

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Answer 2

Many of the low income voters feel there vote will not matter. Regardless which part wins all Congress men have a higher pay than middle income and htye all have good insurance. If Congress had no medical insurance they would be getting everyone insurance. There have never been a poor person in Congress or President in a long time. Even Lincoln started out poor but became a lawyer. Not a average occupation. Poor people feel ever election no one actually wants to help poor. They don't want to taxe the rich more.

Answer 3

I don't think anyone cares anymore. The folks in the cities are apathetic, jaded, and their kids are on anti-depressants and stuff that actually increase their likelihood of insanity, rather than doing anything helpful. They feel like no matter what they build, the money they make(If they can make it!), and whom they elect, they aren't going to make any difference, and they're tired... So tired.

Those of us in the rural or semi-rural, with parents who are breaking their backs in factories or factory farms, struggling to maintain their own farm, or hunting on 'subsistence living', just can't see the point. Our canidates never win, so no one cares. Most folks I know just vote Republican because it's easiest, and even then don't have much conviction.

In short... America's electorate is dying, I figure. We can't have that; we are the world's greatest democracy, I think, and we've got a lot to be proud of. So, I reckon that we should do something to get back in action, and take the ballots by storm!... When I figure out what this is, though, I'll get back to you.

Answer 4

For the USA, most of them don't realize it's not just a right to vote, it's a privilage. Other countries don't have this. The ones that don't vote say they support our troops. How can they when they don't make their voice be heard in any election? You realize that the Army National Guard is governed by the STATE not the federal. Get out there and VOTE. YOUR VOTE DOES COUNT! YOU MUST MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD FIRST IN THE POLLS!!!!!

Answer 5

Some people have better things to do than vote. Some people have no idea what the issues are or who is running for what office. Thank God we live in a country that does not force people to vote at the point of a gun

Answer 6

Why? Because we can.

We have the right to vote. We also have the right to stay home.

I've never missed a ballot in my life, but there have been times I've had to hold my nose. I also know of people who can't be bothered to vote. Others fear that registering will make them eligible for jury duty, and there are a myriad of other excuses. What it boils down to is what I said before, "because we can."

Answer 7

with electronic voting, that number will drop, as more and more people (correctly) perceive the system as a bigger scam than ever.

The two-party hegemony works together to prevent people from having any real choices, and now even the voting results are easier than ever to rig.

I was a dedicated voter from age 18 on, but no longer do. As far as I'm concerned, our right to vote is merely a sham, and I refuse to aid and abet fraud by any party.

Answer 8

Because of the control of the two major parties, the candidates are all pretty much the same and the voters do not really have any choices.

Answer 9

Because the other 50% understand that the democracy isn't so great when your choices are sh.it or cr.ap

Big-bro, you need to reevaluate your avatar that consists of a 10 gallon cowboy hat and cheesy 'cop shades', are you president of Odessa's Official W fan club?

Answer 10

That's a good question! One reason, I believe, is apathy and a sense of entitlement. We take everything we have for granted and figure it will continue without any personal effort to participate in the democratric process.