Who votes in the U.S.

Vote in the U.S. - Who Votes

Why doesn't anybody vote in the U.S.?

Turnout has been down since 1960, but it may be turning around (text first published back in 1995)

Women vote in greater numbers than men. White Americans vote more often than Blacks and Hispanics, and more senior citizens than than those in their 20s go to the polls. Yet as a nation, Americans are far more likely to avoid the ballot box than citizens of most other industrial democracies.

The greatest voter turnout in an American election was in 1980, when 63 percent of eligible voters went to the polls. Since then, voter turnout has slipped. The 1992 presidential election, however, was something of an aberration – 55 percent of eligible voters turned out, the highest percentage since 1960. Optimists cite the '92 vote as evidence of the renewed interest of the American electorate. Others aren't convinced. Off-year election turnout figures are significantly lower.

In Western Europe, turnouts of 75 to 90 percent are the norm. In May 1995, more than 85 percent of French voters went to the polls to choose a new president. Voter participation declines significantly in Germany between 1976 and 1990 from 91 percent to 76 percent – still significantly higher than the U.S. numbers. According to the Congressional Research Service of the U.S. Congress, which measured voter turnout in industrial nations in the mid-1980s, the United States was surpassed by only Switzerland (28.9 percent turnout in 1985) in voter lethargy. America was dwarfed by such civic-minded nations as Belgium (93.6 percent turnout in 1985) and Australia (94.2 percent turnout in 1994). Voting is compulsory in both countries.

Experts attribute the difference in voter participation partly to the fact that the United States is a less class-oriented society than Europe. Fewer Americans see the significance in the triumph of one party over another, as the American society doesn't have class-based parties. People think they can pick themselves up by their bootstraps, which lessens their stake in the outcome of elections.

A street in Manhattan. Photo by Elena

It probably doesn't help that historically it's been harder to register to vote in the United States. However, voter turnout rates have stayed lower even as it has gotten easier to cast a ballot. Civil rights legislation, of course, wiped out discriminatory voting requirements such as literacy tests.

The new Motor Voter law enacted at the beginning of 1995, which guarantees registration by mail and at cerrtain mobile sites, should make registration easier still in most states.

Besides, demographic trends seem to favor increased voter participation. Generally the higher the level of education, the greater the degree of residential stability, and the older the electorate, the higher the voter turnout will be. The U.S. Population generally is better educated, staying put, and graying - but, except for the 1992 blip, still shying away from the ballot box. Only one conclusion is left. You've got to say that the decline of participation has to do with motivation. In a word, apathy.

All segments of the American electorate, however, aren't equally apathetic. In every presidential election since 1980, both the number and proportion of eligible women voters that vote has exceeded those of men, according to figures from the Center for the American Woman and Politics at Rutgers University. And U.S. Census figures show that college-educated Americans are twice as likely to vote as those without a high school diploma.

What will motivate the rest of America to vote? Experts suggest that an attempt at civil political dialogue and voter education could help decrease the level of cynicism. Politicians who are in touch with and responsive to the needs of ordinary Americans might be just the ticket.

How to Get into Politics

Well, you might try voting – or giving money to the candidates of your choice

The process of registering to vote just got easier – at least for the residents of the 46 states to which the recently passed Motor Voter bill applies. The new law, which took effect on January 1, 1995, mandates states to allow eligible voters to register by mail, at motor vehicle registries by mail, at motor vehicle registries (hence the name), and at certain other state agencies including bureaux of public assistance. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming were exempt from the law because they offer Same day registration on Election Day already, according to Matt Farrey, Project Manager of the League of Women Voters Education Project in Washington, D.C., North Dakota, which does not bother registering its small voting population, also was exempt.

Three states, Virginia, Vermont and Arkansas, have been given an extra year to reconcile their state laws to be in compliance with the bill. Eight states – including California, Illinois and Pennsylvania – have filed suits against the law, claiming they can't afford to comply with it without federal funds, However, the California suit has already been rejected by a federal court, and the challenges are considered unlikely to prevail.

Eligible voters should contact their State Secretary's office, town hall or county election office, or local League of Women Voters branch for more information. For those who are housebound or will be out of their district on voting day, absentee ballots usually are available from the same sources.

So You Want to Give Money

Money seems to amplify the voice of the electorate substantially, so you may want to consider supporting the candidate that supports your views. But before you write a check to your favorite candidate or political party, you better know the rules limiting campaign donations.

According to Federal election laws, individuals may give no more than as follows: $1,000 to each candidate or candidate committee in an election (primaries and general elections count separately), $20,000 to a national party committee per calendar year, and $5,000 to any other political committee per calendar year. Foreign nationals are prohibited from donating to campaigns in the United States.