4 thoughts on “Problem Memo on Low Voter Turnout in Local Elections”
I believe this is an excellent explainer for low voter turnout out, not just at the national level, but at the state and local level. You did an excellent job in the beginning of the memo framing this as a disappointment to our nation’s founders, and how voting is an essential cornerstone of our democratic society.
I also liked how you approached low voter turnout from several different angles. First, you compared the United State’s voting rules to that of other democratic countries. Compulsory voting is an excellent idea, but unfortunately, a fairly sizable portion of our society objects to the idea of “forced” voting. In the view of these individuals, one has the right to exercise their right not to vote, as well as vote.
At the local level, low voter turnout can have an even greater effect on elections, and therefore, policies. You used two excellent case studies in the the 2013 New York City mayoral election. Also, I liked your Utah example. When entire demographic groups fail to turnout to vote, then their voices and policy preferences will not be heard. Elected officials will not feel it necessary to address this blocs needs as that voting bloc does not threaten to hold the elected officials accountable.
At the end of your memo, you discuss voter ID laws and early voting which is at the heart of this issue. There are an abundance of states which make it difficult for individuals to vote, especially as you mentioned, the young, elderly, and poor. This marginalizes these segments of the population from our democratic process. It is unbelievable to think that some elected officials make it more difficult for the citizenry to turnout for elections. This is a hinderance on our democratic process.
Also, if you are passionate about this issue, you should watch John Oliver’s segment on local elections and voter turnout on his show, Last Week Tonight.
I like your opening with a quote from a relevant thought-leader, in this case the President. It’s a clear and immediate sign post for the direction you’re heading in and aids the clarity of your argument. You incorporated lots of good sources, good data, and clear examples of your point. I think you might want to consider addressing your memo to a less-partisan figure, or taking more of a partisan tone in your argument. Organizing for America is of course, a Democratic organization and the spinoff entity of President Obama’s two successful campaigns.
So in my view, if you’re approaching this as a Democrat who feels increased turnout will help Democrats win elections, then you could probably embrace it a little more. But if you’re approaching this as a “good government” issue, then you might want to go totally nonpartisan by addressing the memo to the Attorney General for example. You could also choose to go bipartisan by adding a Republican counterpart of OFA as a sendee. Ultimately I think it’s just a question of, are you framing this as a political problem or a civic problem?
A significant number of voters’ participation in the local election is very important beyond any argument. This memo focuses on this problem and I appreciate how well written the memo is. If I understand correctly, you appreciate the fact that voting is compulsory for citizens in Australia and other 26 countries. Personally I feel it against my democratic right if I am forced to vote. But again in reality it might help the core requirement of the process, voters’ presence. The statistics, data and facts are very supportive to the fact how low voter turnout is getting more and more severe as time passes and what harmful impact it can impose on the democratic system. I completely agree with the fact that situation where a single vote can make a decision, voters presence is a crucial part. If more voters were present, a clear result could be achieved. I would like to add one point from my experience, shared by my house owner 2 years back. There was a local election held several years back, and when he appeared at the polling booth, he found few voters were present. Later on he realized that, although the issue was considered important and repeated in every weekend gossip, most voter of the area were not even aware of the fact that it had been put in the local election for voter’s decision. In my opinion, more promotional efforts could increase the number of voters.
Erin, I think this is a great topic and you highlight some of the theoretical problem areas regarding voting restrictions. The problems you highlight (i.e. voter ID laws, restricting polling station hours of operation, absentee ballot restrictions, and holding local elections off-cycle from the presidential elections) definitely impacts voter turnout for the worse.
There are, however, a couple of other areas that you might want to look into. For example, the gerrymandering of district lines (how that affects representation on local elections) and the day we actually have for election day throughout most of the US being on a Tuesday (how that restricts working class families from being able to take time off from going to the polls).
If you consider further developing this problem memo, I would consider highlighting specific aspects of certain problem areas in detail and using case studies to highlight areas where this problem existed, where something was done to address it, and how those solutions impacted voter turnout. Some of the data may surprise you. Check out Port Chester NY elections for Board of Trustees: the village was sued by the DOJ on grounds that its election system disenfranchised Hispanics in the area from being able to have equal representation on the board and ordered the Village to change its voting practices (including the amount of days the polls are open and the system of voting). Prof. Robert Smith (here at Baruch) may be able to point you in the direction of some great material on this as he has been researching this subject.
I believe this is an excellent explainer for low voter turnout out, not just at the national level, but at the state and local level. You did an excellent job in the beginning of the memo framing this as a disappointment to our nation’s founders, and how voting is an essential cornerstone of our democratic society.
I also liked how you approached low voter turnout from several different angles. First, you compared the United State’s voting rules to that of other democratic countries. Compulsory voting is an excellent idea, but unfortunately, a fairly sizable portion of our society objects to the idea of “forced” voting. In the view of these individuals, one has the right to exercise their right not to vote, as well as vote.
At the local level, low voter turnout can have an even greater effect on elections, and therefore, policies. You used two excellent case studies in the the 2013 New York City mayoral election. Also, I liked your Utah example. When entire demographic groups fail to turnout to vote, then their voices and policy preferences will not be heard. Elected officials will not feel it necessary to address this blocs needs as that voting bloc does not threaten to hold the elected officials accountable.
At the end of your memo, you discuss voter ID laws and early voting which is at the heart of this issue. There are an abundance of states which make it difficult for individuals to vote, especially as you mentioned, the young, elderly, and poor. This marginalizes these segments of the population from our democratic process. It is unbelievable to think that some elected officials make it more difficult for the citizenry to turnout for elections. This is a hinderance on our democratic process.
Also, if you are passionate about this issue, you should watch John Oliver’s segment on local elections and voter turnout on his show, Last Week Tonight.
I like your opening with a quote from a relevant thought-leader, in this case the President. It’s a clear and immediate sign post for the direction you’re heading in and aids the clarity of your argument. You incorporated lots of good sources, good data, and clear examples of your point. I think you might want to consider addressing your memo to a less-partisan figure, or taking more of a partisan tone in your argument. Organizing for America is of course, a Democratic organization and the spinoff entity of President Obama’s two successful campaigns.
So in my view, if you’re approaching this as a Democrat who feels increased turnout will help Democrats win elections, then you could probably embrace it a little more. But if you’re approaching this as a “good government” issue, then you might want to go totally nonpartisan by addressing the memo to the Attorney General for example. You could also choose to go bipartisan by adding a Republican counterpart of OFA as a sendee. Ultimately I think it’s just a question of, are you framing this as a political problem or a civic problem?
A significant number of voters’ participation in the local election is very important beyond any argument. This memo focuses on this problem and I appreciate how well written the memo is. If I understand correctly, you appreciate the fact that voting is compulsory for citizens in Australia and other 26 countries. Personally I feel it against my democratic right if I am forced to vote. But again in reality it might help the core requirement of the process, voters’ presence. The statistics, data and facts are very supportive to the fact how low voter turnout is getting more and more severe as time passes and what harmful impact it can impose on the democratic system. I completely agree with the fact that situation where a single vote can make a decision, voters presence is a crucial part. If more voters were present, a clear result could be achieved. I would like to add one point from my experience, shared by my house owner 2 years back. There was a local election held several years back, and when he appeared at the polling booth, he found few voters were present. Later on he realized that, although the issue was considered important and repeated in every weekend gossip, most voter of the area were not even aware of the fact that it had been put in the local election for voter’s decision. In my opinion, more promotional efforts could increase the number of voters.
Erin, I think this is a great topic and you highlight some of the theoretical problem areas regarding voting restrictions. The problems you highlight (i.e. voter ID laws, restricting polling station hours of operation, absentee ballot restrictions, and holding local elections off-cycle from the presidential elections) definitely impacts voter turnout for the worse.
There are, however, a couple of other areas that you might want to look into. For example, the gerrymandering of district lines (how that affects representation on local elections) and the day we actually have for election day throughout most of the US being on a Tuesday (how that restricts working class families from being able to take time off from going to the polls).
If you consider further developing this problem memo, I would consider highlighting specific aspects of certain problem areas in detail and using case studies to highlight areas where this problem existed, where something was done to address it, and how those solutions impacted voter turnout. Some of the data may surprise you. Check out Port Chester NY elections for Board of Trustees: the village was sued by the DOJ on grounds that its election system disenfranchised Hispanics in the area from being able to have equal representation on the board and ordered the Village to change its voting practices (including the amount of days the polls are open and the system of voting). Prof. Robert Smith (here at Baruch) may be able to point you in the direction of some great material on this as he has been researching this subject.