Why are so many young people not voting today?
345509
Young people have never been particularly good at voting. In 1972, 52% of people aged 18-24 voted, compared to 47% of 18-24 year-olds in 2004. Youth simply don't have the experience to know what they want and have not gotten beyond their own self-centeredness.
779223
That is honestly a good question!! \n\nYour very correct in your statement. Americans are too lazy to go vote!! Hopefully all of America has learned the lesson of staying home on election day. \n\nBecause when less than half of ALL Americans show up to vote, we get a President like George W. Bush and a congress like the congress we have....and so on.... \n\nAnd we can't make this mistake ever again!!\n\nWhat we as a country have become, we are not about, and have never been about..
777736
This is very funny, thinking about it makes me laugh, because all the technology that is out there, you can vote for American Idol on-line or through the phone. Why not vote for president? We still have these old machines for Voting that are rusted and very noisy.  If they would have voting through the phones or the Internet, I believe a bigger % of the population will vote, because a lot of people don't vote because they don't feel like going out there everyday routing to wait in line to vote.
580840
Believe it or not, we reach more Americans this way, especially the thinking ones.\n\nThe internet is the new communication media of choice for thinking people. TV is on the way out. Too many commercials. No reality.\n\nI as one voting person will reach millions of voters with this note. One person in that crowd of criminals will reach noone that matters or can or cares to vote.\n\nThis is my anti-protest, and it has far more impact than you can ever imagine.
863797
Well first of all, I think it needs to be easier for people to find more unbiased info about the candidates and anything else on the ballot. Now the way for people to get this information should be publicized a good deal so that it will be well known and trusted.\n\nFor young voters, many issues important to them are often not addressed due to the high turnout of older voters. Perhaps by promoting group gatherings for young people who are old enough to vote at places they frequently go to, they could be encouraged to register and to address and discuss issues important to them.\n\nAfter all of this is achieved, the next step is to push these issues to candidates running for election, along with those still in office. Once they are pushed enough to be key issues in a campaign and those in office actually do something to address them, I think more young people would be encouraged by knowing that their votes and accomplishing what they believe is important would made a difference.\n\nMaking it mandatory and making it a crime to not vote would be a bad idea. It should be something we choose to do. Otherwise the right to vote would not mean as much. It should be something we  have the freedom to decide to do or not.\n\nEDIT: They do have mail-in ballots. They are called absentee ballots for those that can not go to the polls on election day. However, you must be eligible to receive one.\n\nFor more info on them go to the site below:\n\nhttp://www.fvap.gov/pubs/onlinefwab.html
1117030
Simple. People already don't get out and vote. Voter turn out is always poor. So if we charge even less people will turn out and vote.
1149993
They aren't viewed as being matured enough.  Although there probably are a few that would be able to make better choices, it's just that the majority wouldn't seem to know, or care about the political topics.
759373
I think most people can vote. Presumably those over twenty as that seems to be the age of majority here. However, the government is such a bureautic one party system that it doesn't seem like they get much of choice. They more vote for the leader of the party I think.
673932
Just like I'm 20, and I believe I should be able to drink alcohol. The people that make the laws feel that people aren't mature enough to make smart decisions. For the most part, younger people shouldn't vote because a lot of them aren't even aware of what's going on, or understand the importance of things. It may not be fair to you, but you're time will come. I'm not sure how old you are, but it usually goes by fast!
1178832
I always vote, and I agree with you. \n\nI have no idea why people do not vote... but they generally are the first to complain about the person elected.
396071
Because lately, people are getting more and more coward.\nThanks to the chaotic World scenery, people are afraid to stand up and fight for the right things...\n\nShame on us.
192555
Isn't because they couldn't vote?
26334
I have voted in all Federal State and Local elections since I became eligible in 1996, but living in Alabama my primary vote is usless (some would say my democrat votes in general elections in this state are usless as well). Mine is the first generation to be totally disallusioned in the process. We grew up in the aftermath of Watergate and it has been nothing but scandal ever since. We have never had a strong national leader that speaks to us, and even if we did I don't believe we would trust him or her. My generation has never had a feeling of empowerment in society that WWII, and the Anti-War movement in the 60's and 70's gave previous generations. We feel left behind and that nothing we do can change it, which is why the boomers will rule into their 90's. God help us all.
500335
this is really good question and an important one. \n\nI am a member of town government and there have been 2x we have gotten more then 13%-20% of community members out to vote.The first is has to do with "self interest". Services and/or programs that community members DIRECTLY benefit from would be cut due to budget constraints. Second, local businesses wanted a vote to pass regarding an issue. They contributed enough money to be fund a major campaign: radio ads, newspaper ads, fliers.\n\nIt takes A LOT to get people's attention. Additionally it takes even more to keep them engaged. You don't "win the battle" the first time...they give up.It is always, "I am too busy", Ya what ever", "they are gonna do what they are gonna do. my vote doesn't make a big difference", and on and on it goes.\nSometimes I think people are so busy and worried about just keeping their own lives together they do not look at the bigger picture and how it impacts their lives now and in the future.\nThe sad, sad result is that we allow politicians and government to serve their own self-interests and then play "Monday morning quarter back" about the results we have to live with.\nAgain, good question. Human beings are loosing their lives around the world for this right to have a government "by the people for the people."
810859
i personally always vote. most non-voters don't vote because they do not like either canidate, or they are just un-informed and do not know who to vote for. most people my age ( i am 20) are not even registered because they just don't care. i dont think it is pressed on younger people as much the importance of voting. most of my friends say "why bother, i won't make a difference anyway" which sometimes is true. i live in MD which tends to be a democratic state, so if you were to vote republican it would basically be worthless. i have also found that a lot of people that don't vote complain about who has been elected. which i find humorus. because if you didnt try to change it why should you have an opinion?
746396
Because they don't like what the voters passed.  So, they plan to find a way to do as they please, cuz they figure they are above the law.  And, it'll probably turn out that they CAN do as they please.  And we wonder why people give up on voting.
892251
They don't pay attention in school, every public school system in America, (and I've been to a few) teaches civics.(which is, how the country runs, the nature of the government and how to function in it.) \nSecondarily, these kids don't see their parents or other role models exercising their right to vote, or serve on juries or even write to their congressman or senators!  and if you don't know how to use something properly  you won't use it at all!