Framing the Problem
Voter turnout is the measurement of population participation in an election. Voter turnout is an everchanging percentage, but one constant is that we can improve the numbers. If we can identify what prevents voters from voting, then we can identify those instances that may hinder people’s ability to exercising their right to vote. If identified, we can focus on addressing obstacles, limitations, and other barriers to improve turnout.
This problem is felt across the United States. Elections range from a small local level (city council, school board, sheriff, etc.), statewide, and nationwide. It is important that we experience “high voter turnout” to ensure the elected officials who make laws are doing so on behalf of all the citizens they represent. How officials govern affects all US citizens regardless of how they voted and if they did not vote.
A decreasing voter turnout can lead to an inaccurate representation in office. Elected officials begin to respond to a smaller fraction of people that represent just a segment of their constituents thus leading to skewed actions and laws implemented in their region.
Voter registration for national elections is a recorded number via the United States census since 1964. We can infer voter turnout is on the decline by comparing the numbers of those, reported by precincts, for having voted. Should we measure based on gender, race, and age, we can research the recorded data captured at each polling location based on the required photo ID needed to check-in. This data could be used to measure the response rate per demographics.
Why this Problem?
The Voice of the US People
After enduring the surprising outcome of the 2016 election and with manufactured uncertainty around the 2020 election leading to an insurrection, the need for increased, informed voter turn-out is evident. US politics is becoming more polarizing.
Whether the cause is voter apathy, indifference, new restrictions and limitations, or feelings that the system is rigged or broken, we continue to see only half of Americans showing up to exercise their right to vote. Is “…turnout not declining, [but rather] the ineligible population rising? (McDonald, Michael. http://www.electproject.org/dr-mcdonald-bio)” What are the factors at play and how can we improve the overall voter turnout?
Between 1840-1900, the US typically hovered between 70-80% turnout for the voting age population before slowly declining to the average 50% turnout we’ve seen since 1912. (https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/statistics/data/voter-turnout-in-presidential-elections). What actions can we take to see an increase in the percentages going forward?
Audience for this solution
Voting effects us all
A healthy democracy demands the participation of all its citizens, not just a vocal few. Extremists and radicals dominate the scene pulling elections into a tailspin and crowding out those self-identified moderates. Do they represent all of America? Are the topics brought before Congress and the House items that all Americans care about or need to prosper? By not having a true cross-section of America involved in elections, we run the risk of leadership making decisions from skewed data. Striving for higher turnout will benefit all Americans through more fair and equal representation in government.
The purpose in solving this problem
Getting to Solutions
Uncovering the reasons for why individuals do not vote is key to solution-finding. Each American should be able to vote ensuring their opinions are heard and represented by the government. It is imperative that we take this situation seriously to avoid disenfranchisement. We must help those who may not be able to help themselves should their rights be deprived through questionable qualifiers. We should seek accessibility for everyone regardless of location. Most of all, we cannot assume the reasons for lower voter turn-out. It’s our moral imperative to understand the situation, to seek improvements and to design a system that serves its people.