Why do so few Americans vote?
964438
This supposedly free system of elections boils down to two candidates and parties, so why bother if you don't want either candidate, choose the lesser evil and it's your time and gas.\nI would think this has much to do with it as well the registration of voters is outdated as Americans move so often. Change the system and reform. Regardless which candidate you elect or re elect it comes down to what their party wants and the money that supports them.
209915
I agree.  The probablem is that you're asking people to think.  It's too hard for the majority of Americans.  It's much easier to look up what the Republican or Democratic party says about each issue and vote for that.  I've only voted in one election (being 19 years old), and it was just a state election on several bills, but I know I voted for things that were proposed by people I very much disliked because I thought they would do good regardless of the intentions of the people who wrote them.  Even though I consider myself a Democrat (and a liberal one, at that) I'd gladly vote for a Republican if I thought he'd do a better job than the other candidates.\n\nThe thing that really gets to me here on Answers, though, is "liberal bashing."  People take the polarization of the poltical arena to the extreme.  When people vote along party lines that's one thing, but when they take that out of the voting booth and make their day-to-day life a war against the opposing political party it threatens to destroy the very foundations of our democracy.  When elections are determined by a desire to vote against the liberals or against the conservatives rather than genuine consideration of the issues, we risk making some really bad choices.  It sounds too much like the backdrop for a red state, blue state civil war.
989370
The problem was that MOST americans didn't even bother to vote.
6835
Many do not value it anymore.  That is the mistake they are making.  The lack of voting just make the other views stronger (conservatives).  They are not the biggest eligible voter group, just the more consistent one during election day.\n\nEach vote does make a difference, but when you just give up, the opposing view will win.
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.
983789
American voters are like lambs being led to slaughter. They don't have a clue as to what's going on. The 'Republicrats' have a stranglehold on our political process, which they control - and we Americans continue to allow this corrupt behavior to go on without challenge or significant change.         -RKO-
287795
Sure, but thats never going to happen.  It's hard enough to get a small group of people committed to action let alone everyone in the US who votes.
22007
for the same reason 35% of the people in the us voted for bush, they are idiots who dont think ahead more than about an hour, and will do anything that they think will save them 20 cents. Many people dont do this actually, but the ones that do use up a disproportionate amount of resources.
411062
I don't think that it is more people, it is people voting more than once.  In an election, you only get one vote in American Idol you can vote as many times as you can.
495422
Maybe you are happy with the way things are run, so you see no reason to vote.  But maybe you don't know yet how the government affects you.  Once you do, you may want to vote, or maybe you will think that your vote is powerless to change the system.  It is good that you are at least asking the question.
274254
Most americans who dont vote do so because they either dont care or dont think their vote counts. One thing that i feel would make a difference in the number of voters in this country would change the system to be a direct election and get rid of the electoral college. Another thing that could be done is what some countrys like Australia do and fine those people who do not vote, another possibility would be to make election day a national holiday like Italy does and surprising ly Italy has the highest percentage of the national poulation of voting age that vote.
168670
Outside the USA, almost everybody. Sorry, we cannot understand why you vote him in the second time
1145943
Voter turnout has never been especially strong anywhere in the USA.  We as a people simply take for granted that things will go all right, or that our one vote does not make much or any difference overall.\n\nThis is all right as long as things are going along all right.  But it is possible for someone to manipulate the system, and forge a change that is not in the best interest of the citizens, but is in the best interests of the one getting elected by the small minority that are voting.\n\nEven something as simple as being elected to a school board wields tremendous control and power.  Think of the money under their control, and the influence.  So there is no such thing as a small candidate, or small position.  Every leader makes a difference.  Every person counts.  Every vote counts.
919344
I don't think statistics can provide a truly accurate answer for actual number of eligible voters.  During the presidential election, the democrats had thousands registered to vote that were actually resting in peace in our cemeteries across the U.S.  Although most of these votes are weeded out..........it makes you wonder how many get counted.
835854
They didn't. Most Americans did not vote for Bush. Unfortunately, a lot of Americans did not vote at all.
1172217
The easiest way to get people out to vote is to give them candidates worth making the effort for. If the 2 parties actually put forth innovative, intelligent candidates that energized the people, instead of the "lesser of 2 evils" choice we keep getting, more people would go to the polls. Don't hold your breath, though...\n\nI am a proud member of the 17% of Americans that votes in EVERY election- federal, state, and local. I take my RESPONSIBILITY seriously.\n\nThe sad thing is, more often than not, I find myself voting AGAINST candidates, not for them. It's been a long time since there was a candidate worth voting FOR.
229090
Very interesting question, Crappy (sorry for the shorthand). But to tell you the truth, it is already extremely easy for people to vote. If you can't find the time to vote for the people running your town, state, country - I really question your thought process. This is the greatest freedom given to the people of our country. It simply must be exercised. Especially in today's world of no excuse absentee ballots. I have not missed an election on any level since I have turned 18. This includes when I was away at college or working out of town on business. \n\nIn fact, I would go one step further (and will probably get bashed for this thought), but I believe that people should be made to take and pass a test on the candidates and their positoins on several key issues before they are allowed to vote. A bipartison comittee could mail out the answers to the test to the voters and make them available anywhere including the internet, but the important thing would be for people to know where the person they are voting for stands for on the major issues. They can take and retake the test as many times as they want, but I think if people were made to understand the candidates positions on key issues - we would have far more effective people elected and a far more informed populace...