Voter Turnout

Next, one has to consider whether institutional or attitudinal electoral influences is more persuasive when explaining the voter turnout decline observed since the 1960’s. Piven and Cloward’s notion that party systems, electoral practices, and institutional barriers discourage and limit voting, as seen with the and Motor Voter Act, can remain true, but should be analyzed through the lens of registration. The Motor Voter Act was successful in regards to increasing registration and interest in voting. However, there was no significant increase in the voter turnout after the Motor Voter Law was implemented. Concerning Powell’s studies that voter turnout is disadvantaged by party systems, registration requirements, distance to voting location,

While higher education has not stimulated voter turnout as expected, it has still had an effect on maintaining some voters. Education teaches one a sense of civic duty, a need to uphold democratic ideals, and simply the basis of understanding politics. Additionally, many of the explanations discussed in this paper have opposing complementary effects; meaning, the reasons for why people do not vote are also rationale for why some still do. Politicians and their parties have mobilization strategies to engage certain voters, and if you are in their demographic, then the election comes to you instead of you needing to seek it out. Likewise, electoral barriers do not impact everyone. On the social side of this conundrum, lies the fact that some still value partisanship, social capital, and the benefits of voting. Even though they are all on the decline does not mean they are removed altogether. Similar to what the Civic Voluntarism Model proposes, if one has the time, money, ability, a preference, and efficacy to vote, then many continue to do

When California voter turnout rates were at a record low, the state elections chief pleaded, “It’s not a right to vote, it’s a special gift, bestowed to our country by our forefathers and paid for with blood of many generations of our ancestors.” If the government is already aiming to please the elites, the fact that the poor, uneducated, and even the masses, are not voting, only adds to the the problem. Lawmakers need to appeal to their constituents, especially to certain group’s needs, but can only do so if they are participating. An easy fix would be to enact compulsory voting to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. Former California Secretary of State, Bill Jones, called this notion “un-American,” but I would argue that Putnam, Piven and Cloward, and Teixeira view a low and declining voter turnout as just as