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CAUSES OF LOW VOTER TURNOUT

VOTER APATHY Excuses: Loss of hope: “I don’t have time.” “There’s no one worth voting for, anyway.” Loss of hope: “It’s not like my vote even matters.”

Active voters by country Source: U.S. trails most developed countries in voter turnout –PewResearch.org

Young voters don’t show up to the polls. Low Youth Turnout Young voters don’t show up to the polls.

half voted in the 2016 presidential election. Only of eligible 18-29 year old Millennials voted in the 2016 presidential election. Source: An Estimated 24 Million Young People Voted in 2016 Election -CivicYouth.org

Did you know… THE LEAST ACTIVE VOTERS? Voters aged 18-35 are on track to outpace baby boomers as the largest voting bloc, but we are THE LEAST ACTIVE VOTERS?

effects OF LOW VOTER TURNOUT

Excuse: “My vote doesn’t count because of the electoral college.” VOTER APATHY Excuse: “My vote doesn’t count because of the electoral college.” Hillary Clinton: Donald Trump: Popular vote won Electoral college won +3 million Votes 306 to 232

VOTER APATHY “turnout rates dropped by 1.3 percent in Iowa, 3 percent in Wisconsin and nearly 4 percent in Ohio in 2016, a combination that became a death knell for Clinton’s presidential hopes in areas where Obama performed well during his two terms.” Source: What does voter turnout tell us about the 2016 election? -PBS.org

Uninformed single-issue voters Active, but vote based on one or two issues Ignore the rest of candidate’s platform Ignore their candidate’s previous political history Politicians pander to single-issue voters using wedge issues; easier than facing tough problem-solving.

Uninformed single-issue voters Being an under- or uninformed voter can lead to one voting against their own best interests when casting a vote based on a single issue.

In the 2012 election, the silent generation outvoted millennials Did you know… In the 2012 election, the silent generation outvoted millennials 74% to 49%? Source: Millennials Now Rival Boomers As A Political Force, But Will They Actually Vote? –NPR.org

results OF LOW VOTER TURNOUT

Representatives more concerned with $pecial interests. Consequences of not voting Homogenous representation; out of touch policy makers Representatives more concerned with $pecial interests.

solutions

POLITICS IS NOT A BYSTANDER EVENT STOP BUYING INTO THE “MY VOTE DOESN’T COUNT” MYTH. POLITICS IS NOT A BYSTANDER EVENT

How do I get involved? 1. Get registered! Department of motor vehicles Sos.la.gov

How do I get involved? 2. Get educated! Campaign websites Candidates’ social media Ballotpedia.org

Louisiana Voter Portal How do I get involved? 3. geaux vote! Use resources found on voterportal.sos.la.gov: Louisiana Voter Portal

GET REGISTERED GET EDUCATED GEAUX VOTE! Remember: GET REGISTERED GET EDUCATED GEAUX VOTE!