So why don't people in the USA vote?
929222
It's a long list of excuses, I'm sure.  Basically I think people are just too lazy to participate.  They can get to corner to buy a pack of smokes, cash their check, rent a movie, or do any other menial task, but when it comes to being a tiny bit responsible to your country, people get too busy.
797827
Voting is an important part of being an American because it is the way to "get your voice heard". We live in a society that allows us to decided who we think will act in the best interests of our country.\n\nOf course the people and issues that you vote on do not always end the way you would like them too, but it is a great feeling to know that you can stand up and be counted. \n\nLook at the last election as a wonderful example of the voice of Americans. Many in this country felt it was imperative to remove some of the power that President Bush feels a little overzealous to use. In being able to vote and be heard, regarding the objections of our present Commander in Chief's behavior, the political base of this country has essentially been turned upside down from where it has stood for the last 12 years.
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.
56585
The basic "paradox" to your question is there has not really been public enthusiasm for elections in years.  Less than 60% of voting age public have voted and far less than the voting age public is actually even registered to vote and this is in the Presidential years.  The numbers in off election years fall short of the pitiful turnout that we get for Presidential Elections.  It is no wonder that we have people who are trying to buy legislation when the American Public has not turned out to actually go through the steps of trying to run the country.
922331
Aside from the cases where they are discouraged from registering, let alone voting (and the ID card, voter purges, transporation problems, confusing poll locations don't make it any easier) -- few candidates appeal to them. Those who do, win.\n\nThen there are the close-knit groups who do vote, and all vote identically. The Lubavichers, for example, vote whichever way their Rebbe tells them. I'm sure there are others like that: there's been plenty of press discussion about evangelicals and Mormons, to name two.
463374
If you do, your another sociopath!\n\nPeople from the "U.K. ABOVE" can't vote in American elections. You need to be an American like the rest of us Americans, to have any valid opinion over American lives. You know who are, and the shoe fits doesn't it, illegal?
215534
As we learned in the 2000 election, our votes don't count.  There are only 9 votes in this country that count.
978013
A voter turnout of 40%, while better than it has been, should be embarrassing to all Americans. We proclaim our democracy to be the ideal for the rest of the world, even to the point of forcing it on others, but fail to take part in it ourselves.\n\nTwo factors: voter apathy, and the feeling that the individual vote doesn't count.\n\nPresidential elections typically have a lot more press, more nationwide interest. Midterms are more local in nature, and don't generate the same audience or attention.
168670
Outside the USA, almost everybody. Sorry, we cannot understand why you vote him in the second time
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..
885712
There are several resons voter turnout is typically not very high. \n\nSometimes people are sick. Sometimes they are in the hospital or out of the country and do not want to go through the hassle of working on getting an absentee ballot. Sometimes people have only recently moved, and are not registered in the district in which they currently live. \n\nAnother reason voter turnout often is around only 45 percent is that people are often busy and uninformed. Most who do not vote are not opponents of the democratic system, but people who are busy with other things. I have no children or pets, and I still have missed voting on several occasions. \n\nAlso, many people do not know where their voting place is. Sometimes they receive a post card in the mail telling them where it is, but this is often viewed as "junk mail" and tossed out with the other ads from Sears, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Macy's. \n\nAlso, of course, many people are (understandably) cynical. In one of the political races near where I live there is apparently the choice between "throwing your vote away" (by voting for a third party candidate), voting for a corrupt politician, or voting for the guy who holds none of my political views. Not good, any way you slice it. Thus, it is no wonder that so few people bother to vote sometimes. \n\nBy the way, I will vote for every "D" I see on the ballot tomorrow, even if he or she is undergoing ethics investigation. After putting up with the current embarrassment of a president for six years, I am a super citizen in just being willing to vote at all!!!!!!
263205
In my opinion, the majority of Americans are lazy when it comes to political issues. Start with the fact that only about 65% of registered voters ever actually vote. This doesn't include the people that don't even bother to register. \n\nI believe that a majority of people form their opinions based on sound bites on the news or other peoples opinions. Since the mainstream media is undeniably liberal, a lot of people end up with liberal views without actually learning much in the way of facts for themselves.\n\nAs a result of this, you have a lot of sheep following and believing what those who control the media want them to. It's unfortunate.
522182
A lot of people feel they are wasting their vote if they vote for anything other than a democrat or republican.  True, they may be wasting their vote anyway, but at least their voting.  Many other people have a political agenda to support their reasons for voting for the two major parties as well.  \n\nGetting people to vote is the big problem.  The loudest complainers are usually the ones not voting.  They'll never vote, they'll just go on complaining.  \n\nMost people are concerned about what's on sale at Walmart and Target or who the next American Idol will be.
299326
I vote, but I live in the U.S.  In my opinion voting is definitely important.  I also think that people that don't vote should not run their mouths about who is currently in office because had they taken the time to go vote they may have been able to sway the outcome of the election.
1063672
Well, that's part of America's government. Because we are actually a republic (and NOT a democracy) like the idiots on television like to say, we vote for people to represent us. So in a sense, the people do decide by electing representatives on their own behalf who represent their own beliefs to go to Washington to do crap.\n\nAs where in a democracy, the people vote on absolutely everything, which is expensive.
259069
In the end you only have one vote regardless of your political affiliation.  People who don't vote are the weak ones.
543325
where to start? could it be because 90% of all americans do not have a Passport- - so they are all well cultured then. Could it be because America is the ONLY place where the Terminator could become a politician. Or could it be because your powers are mixed leading to an unrepresentative state. (Montesquieu)\n\nBasically - the people of America voted for Bush. and now look what has happened. all for oil - you do realise that dont you. The USA needs to be bigger and better than everyone. whether we are talking big macs or WMDs.\n\nBush can spend billions killing people on a daily basis in Iraq, but when katrina hit, the fool didnt know where to look. And Blair is just as bad. Nuff said.\n\noh yeah one more point - Guatanamo Bay.