Lois Said:

Why is voter turn-out in US lower relatively than in Europe?

We Answered:

This is a good question, but more comparing 'apple's and 'oranges'....
The U.S., (I assume you mean a national election?), are a cohesive group of states voting in one election. Whereas 'Europe' are a group of separate nations voting at different times, on different agendas, for the most part.
I believe that there are many European nations in which there are low turnouts compared to their different national populations.
In regards to the U.S., 'voters vs. legal voting population', (many in our population are not eligible to vote for many reasons), is a complicated subject. The economic differences between our citizens, which cause many to be apathetic thus they don't even register to vote, (and there are many other personal reasons), the young, who until several years ago had to be 21 yrs. old, and now that they are eligible, don't bother... the undereducated...who don't seem to care one way or another who leads our country...(they seem to consider themselves too busy working and surviving),.. the perceptions by many that 'you can't fight city-hall'...or that they,(politicians), are 'all dishonest' (which isn't too far from the truth in many cases), the fact that seniors were, and still seem to be, the highest percentage to vote....and this oldest generation is now 'leaving us'.....The way the very young are not educated in certain areas, so follow their undereducated parents in these perceptions....
To be honest, I wonder just where all the younger generation is? But, this last election seemed to have been a change, for many reasons.
We will just have to see as time goes by....many 'non-voters' may change their minds, or like the Roman Republic, (not the 'Empire' later), crumbled for much the same reasons after about 275 yrs....
We haven't quite reached that age as yet....
And, this isn't even approaching the reasons for the Roman Empire ...spreading it's self to thin, apathetic 'citizens' [many whom never saw Rome or had much loyalty...other than their paycheck].........
You opened a 'can of worms'! But just remember...we are not 'Europe'!
isis1037@yahoo.com

Marie Said:

Why does America suffer from low voter turn out?

We Answered:

democracy overrated. we need an absolute monarchy, who here is for Czar Obama ?

Tommy Said:

Does smear campaigning lead to lower voter turn out?

We Answered:

Sometimes but perhaps it also leads people to news videos on the web and to look up a candidates voting records online. Some people just give in and some dig even deeper to discover the real truth behind stories.

Clifford Said:

What do you think voter turn out will be this year? ?

We Answered:

I saw someone pushing the number "80%" around, which would be amazing. I hope for a high turnout regardless of the outcome. 90% or higher would be a great success for American democracy.

Wade Said:

Is there a good site that breaks down voter registration and voter turn out in presidential elections?

We Answered:

Here you go: http://www.state.sc.us/scsec/sta98.htm

Just change the digits "98" for whatever year you have in mind.

For more, go here: http://www.census.gov/population/www/soc…

Curtis Said:

Identify and explain two reasons why voter turn out has been higher in presidential elections than in midte?

We Answered:

more media exposure

people want to vote in the highest ranking person hoping, that person will make the changes they would like to see.

Heidi Said:

Why do republicans benefit when voter turn out is low?

We Answered:

In case you don't know, the Republicans lost 3 key seats to Democrats in Louisiana, Mississippi and Illinois this year.

That don't sound like they're benefitting to me.