Compared to other democracies, voter turnout in the United States is remarkably low. Why is this?

Question

What do other countries do to foster voter turnout?

Answer 1

Voter apathy.  Look at the current crop of candidates.  Many people have a hard time motivating themselves to go vote for the lesser of two evils.

Answer 2

not sure but maybe the voting requirements are much higher here than other countries?

Answer 3

Most other countries have far more to lose than we do if they allow the wrong person to be elected.   Although, this election cycle in the U.S. I would say that isn't true.  No country has more to lose than we do by electing the wrong individual to office.  

Our treasury has been looted by the right wing for the past 8 years; and we need to rebuild that.  We need someone with experience, willingness to stand up to tyrannical ravings; someone who has weather difficult political tests and someone who is intelligent and not willing to allow herself to be dictated to by party hacks (like the Daley machine in Chicago).  

We definitely need someone who does not believe that America needs a military presence in Iraq for 100 years.  And we don't need a candidate who has never had a difficult political battle for office; but has more or less just walked onto the scene with little or no resistance or opposition.  

America needs strength, and voter turnout in 2008.

Answer 4

Apathy

Answer 5

I'd rather have lower turnout, as long as those that DO vote are educated about the issues.

I don't want to force the 75% of the country who are uneducated morons to influence my elections.  Leave that to the people that actually care and take the time to educate themselves.

edit: jronnie2.. I think what you mean to say is "you're," not "your."  Your post would be much easier to understand if you could only follow some simple grammar rules.

Answer 6

Hey broken o....you forgot your 25% moron.

Answer 7

Because we've grown complacent, and take our freedoms for granted.  We expect that liberty will always be there, and that, even if a tyrant or demagogue does get into office, the mechanisms of "the system" will help keep him in check.

Our founding fathers understood how fragile democracies are.  That's why they put all of those checks and balances and protections into it.  

Respect the constitution.  And do your civic duty, and vote out the bums.

Answer 8

The biggest problem is Apathy.

And I don't care!

Answer 9

We have come to the point where we take it for granted.

It has become too much aggravation to go to the poles after work or on a lunch break.

Answer 10

Because Americans don't care enough to get out of in front of their televisions to vote.  If voting in political elections were set up the same way as American Idol, the turnout would triple.

Answer 11

Some others make it mandatory.

Others understand all too well, that if they don't participate, they'll end up being 'ethnically cleansed".

Answer 12

because voting in america is rigged so why waste your time