United States Ranked Among the Lowest in Voter Turnout

[David2004]

The real stories in this election year are not being addressed by the canidate on either side, while the nation is so divided and polarized. More time and energy of the campaigns so far have focus on the Vietnam War and not on the problems we face in the Iraq War of today. When the truth of the matter is if 50% of the Americans eligible people vote that will be considered a high turn out. Too many Americans are voting against someone or something instead of for someone who they believe in. It is only the few party loyalists that are voting for their canidate with varying degrees of conviction. Most people in America do not connect with the canidate of either party because once they are in office they become one of the same carting to the special interests that got them there.

We have real problems in our nations that are only being addressed as a bit in a 30 second sound bite in a paid TV commercials or speeches by the candidates on both sides. The special interest groups have hijacked our democracy by buying and paying for both candidates in the major parties. Many if not most of the people in America feel disenfranchised by both of the national political parties. The United States ranking among the nations with the lowest percent of eligible voters turn out for president or prime minister.

Percent of voter turn out in past national elections

· Greece 89.0% 2000 Parliamentary
· Indonesia 85.7% 1999 Parliamentary
· Italy 84.9% 2001 Parliamentary
· Israel 84.5% 1999 Parliamentary
· Finland 76.8% 2000
· Spain 73.8% 2000 Parliamentary
· Russia 68.8% 2000
· India 65.5% 1999 Parliamentary
· South Africa 63.9% 1999
· Poland 62.6% 2000
· Lebanon 61.1% 2000 Parliamentary
· Japan 59.0% 2000 Parliamentary
· United Kingdom 57.6% 2001 Parliamentary
· Canada 54.6% 2000 Parliamentary
· United States 46.6% 2000


The United States ranked number 93 out of nations in the world of percent of voter turnout. Only nation such as Ireland, El Salvador, Sudan, Kenya have a lower percent of voter turnout. The fact that only 46.6% of the eligible people voted in the United States last national election should be rather alarming. Especially considering the impact of the United States foreign, military, and political policies on the rest of the world. Too many American people can tell you more facts, stats, and details about their favorer sport teams and players than they can about their elected government officials.


http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/dem_par_ele_tur

 

[Palestinian Jew]

Those numbers don't mean as much as you'd think. Here in the U.S., we have many more elections than any other nation. We elect city, state, and national officials, so if our numbers are lower than a country that has elections only once every 6-10 years, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[dilloduck]

The real stories in this election year are not being addressed by the canidate on either side, while the nation is so divided and polarized. More time and energy of the campaigns so far have focus on the Vietnam War and not on the problems we face in the Iraq War of today. When the truth of the matter is if 50% of the Americans eligible people vote that will be considered a high turn out. Too many Americans are voting against someone or something instead of for someone who they believe in. It is only the few party loyalists that are voting for their canidate with varying degrees of conviction. Most people in America do not connect with the canidate of either party because once they are in office they become one of the same carting to the special interests that got them there.

We have real problems in our nations that are only being addressed as a bit in a 30 second sound bite in a paid TV commercials or speeches by the candidates on both sides. The special interest groups have hijacked our democracy by buying and paying for both candidates in the major parties. Many if not most of the people in America feel disenfranchised by both of the national political parties. The United States ranking among the nations with the lowest percent of eligible voters turn out for president or prime minister.

Percent of voter turn out in past national elections

· Greece 89.0% 2000 Parliamentary
· Indonesia 85.7% 1999 Parliamentary
· Italy 84.9% 2001 Parliamentary
· Israel 84.5% 1999 Parliamentary
· Finland 76.8% 2000
· Spain 73.8% 2000 Parliamentary
· Russia 68.8% 2000
· India 65.5% 1999 Parliamentary
· South Africa 63.9% 1999
· Poland 62.6% 2000
· Lebanon 61.1% 2000 Parliamentary
· Japan 59.0% 2000 Parliamentary
· United Kingdom 57.6% 2001 Parliamentary
· Canada 54.6% 2000 Parliamentary
· United States 46.6% 2000


The United States ranked number 93 out of nations in the world of percent of voter turnout. Only nation such as Ireland, El Salvador, Sudan, Kenya have a lower percent of voter turnout. The fact that only 46.6% of the eligible people voted in the United States last national election should be rather alarming. Especially considering the impact of the United States foreign, military, and political policies on the rest of the world. Too many American people can tell you more facts, stats, and details about their favorer sport teams and players than they can about their elected government officials.


http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/dem_par_ele_tur

If they are that ignorant perhaps it's better to have those with some knowledge select our leaders than having some bozo filling in boxes for fun !

 

[Syntax_Divinity]

He was talking about the voter turnout in our presidential election, not overall. A comparison of the total number of elections with other democracies would have no value. In our off year congressional elections voter turnout is even more pathetic.

 

[David2004]

With privilege comes responsibility that the American people have not taken seriously when it comes to their democracy. Too many people are willing to let other people decide who is going to represent them. Part apathy and part disgust with our political system is why many American people do not vote. Only by opening up the American political system will we raise voter participation. Major reforms in the federal campaign laws are needed. Starting with the following;

· Take a portion back of the public air waives for free political campaign time.
· Create a C-Spain type channel for political campaigns on federal and state level.
· Limit campaign donations to registered voters only.
· If ?None of the Above? wins new election is called.
· If the winning canidate does not receive 50% of the vote a new elections is called.
· Hold those people responsible for the messages in the political ads they run.

These few changes would increase voter participation on the grass roots level. Giving people a real choice and the ability to send a clear message to the people in power.

 

[dilloduck]

With privilege comes responsibility that the American people have not taken seriously when it comes to their democracy. Too many people are willing to let other people decide who is going to represent them. Part apathy and part disgust with our political system is why many American people do not vote. Only by opening up the American political system will we raise voter participation. Major reforms in the federal campaign laws are needed. Starting with the following;

· Take a portion back of the public air waives for free political campaign time.
· Create a C-Spain type channel for political campaigns on federal and state level.
· Limit campaign donations to registered voters only.
· If ?None of the Above? wins new election is called.
· If the winning canidate does not receive 50% of the vote a new elections is called.
· Hold those people responsible for the messages in the political ads they run.

These few changes would increase voter participation on the grass roots level. Giving people a real choice and the ability to send a clear message to the people in power.

 

[popefumanchu]

This is troubling because it shows that people take their freedom for granted. For example, look at the protesters in New York this week.
If folks aren't vigilant, our freedoms are slowly taken away from us by the government. On the positive side, projections have shown that this election will have one of the highest turnouts in quite a while. More people are discussing politics and policy in the mainstream, so I have a good feeling that more people will see how important it is for them to be informed and involved. Even something as horrible as 9/11 can have positive results.

 

[Comrade]

With privilege comes responsibility that the American people have not taken seriously when it comes to their democracy.

We fought a bloody battle to herald the first modern Democracy.

We kept the longest running Democracy intact.

We fight worldwide for Democracy... Germany, Japan, Korea, it's a theme.

Like the man said, do the numbers include only national vote or some kind of count based on all state/local issues.

I bet that everyone you meet on this board cares deeply for their democratic rights. So what 'American people' do you speak of?

Too many people are willing to let other people decide who is going to represent them. Part apathy and part disgust with our political system is why many American people do not vote.

And I could give a flaying f*ck for them? Screw the stupid weenies. Not like it's my problem and not their own stupid ignorance. It's not my job to drag them to contribute what could only be a dumbheaded take on the whole thing, because they don't care enough to do so anyway.


Then again, many are happy no matter what, and just don't care. Such things happen in a rich, free society. But when the crap hits the fan for the otherwise nonchalant bystander, you bet they'll be there.

Only by opening up the American political system will we raise voter participation. Major reforms in the federal campaign laws are needed. Starting with the following;

· Take a portion back of the public air waives for free political campaign time.

Sound fine.

· Create a C-Spain type channel for political campaigns on federal and state level.

Who cares? Who cares enough to pay? Not me.

· Limit campaign donations to registered voters only.

Well it's not as if someone who won't even vote would give money, anyway.

· If ?None of the Above? wins new election is called.

So we are then leaderless?

· If the winning canidate does not receive 50% of the vote a new elections is called.

Among 3 or more even matched candidates we'll remain leaderless then.

· Hold those people responsible for the messages in the political ads they run.

Why? Things change, 9-11 certainly usurped much of what Bush had promised, and for the better. Here's a better idea.. vote him out.

These few changes would increase voter participation on the grass roots level. Giving people a real choice and the ability to send a clear message to the people in power.

Screw them if they can't vote. I don't even want them forced to vote anyway, if they don't care enough to do so voluntary. They'll just bring in ignorance and pay no attention to their electorate in the future. :bj2:

 

[Avatar4321]

I hate lazy people.

With that said. Anyone can complain about the government set up by our founders. All ive seen though are stupid ideas that just show that you have no idea why the founders set up the government the way they did or how that set up protects our freedom and are too lazy find out. Else youd stop proposing ideas that weaken our freedoms.

 

[Comrade]

I hate lazy people.

With that said. Anyone can complain about the government set up by our founders. All ive seen though are stupid ideas that just show that you have no idea why the founders set up the government the way they did or how that set up protects our freedom and are too lazy find out. Else youd stop proposing ideas that weaken our freedoms.

But I agree, so that's boring. hehe. Well how about this... make voting mandatory and punishable by law. Good or bad?

 

[Avatar4321]

But I agree, so that's boring. hehe. Well how about this... make voting mandatory and punishable by law. Good or bad?

Bad. If we did the people would simply vote to make it optional again and that would be that.

 

[CSM]

If you dont vote and are eligible, then you have NO bitch, in my opinion. If you are not eligible, then get that way and vote. If you can;t get that way, then keep your mouth shut...you have NO say.