What are the differences between voters and nonvoters?

Answer 1

The people most likely to vote display such characteristics as higher levels of income, education, and occupational status. They are usually well integrated into community life. They tend to be long-time residents, have a strong sense of party identification, and believe that voting is an important act.

People who go to the polls and cast their ballot in an election are of course called "voters." But for many years, social scientists have been studying why some people vote and others do not. It is a complicated question, since some people will vote in certain elections and then not vote in others, while there are also some people who never vote.

Regarding the people who never vote, there are some who are apathetic or uninterested in politics. Others do not vote because their religion tells them not to (many Jehovah's Witnesses are in this category). Some journalists do not vote because they believe it is a conflict of interest to write about politics while supporting certain candidates.

As for the people who vote sometimes and then sit out the next election, this is usually caused by disillusionment with a candidate or a party. In 2008, for example, large numbers turned out for Barack Obama and Democrats. But in 2010, with the economy in difficult shape and many people frustrated by the lack of progress, a number of them stayed home for the mid-term election, which contributed to Republican gains in the House of Representatives and in state governorships.

Studies have shown that older people are the most likely to vote, while young voters can be very sporadic about going to the polls. And there is a small subset of voters who are "political junkies." These people love politics, get involved in campaigns, and see voting as part of their civic duty. However, it is difficult to predict what candidates or issues will drive up the total number of voters. Sometimes, the voter turnout is affected by a ballot initiative (for example, banning same-sex marriage or restricting abortion), causing large numbers of partisans to cast their votes. Charismatic candidates (such as Ronald Reagan or Barack Obama) have also inspired high voter turnout. Thus, given the number of factors that can affect whether people get out and vote, comparing voters with non-voters becomes quite a challenge.

Answer 2

The people most likely to vote display such characteristics as higher levels of income, education, and occupational status. They are usually well integrated into community life. They tend to be long-time residents, have a strong sense of party identification, and believe that voting is an important act.

People who go to the polls and cast their ballot in an election are of course called "voters." But for many years, social scientists have been studying why some people vote and others do not. It is a complicated question, since some people will vote in certain elections and then not vote in others, while there are also some people who never vote.

Regarding the people who never vote, there are some who are apathetic or uninterested in politics. Others do not vote because their religion tells them not to (many Jehovah's Witnesses are in this category). Some journalists do not vote because they believe it is a conflict of interest to write about politics while supporting certain candidates.

As for the people who vote sometimes and then sit out the next election, this is usually caused by disillusionment with a candidate or a party. In 2008, for example, large numbers turned out for Barack Obama and Democrats. But in 2010, with the economy in difficult shape and many people frustrated by the lack of progress, a number of them stayed home for the mid-term election, which contributed to Republican gains in the House of Representatives and in state governorships.

Studies have shown that older people are the most likely to vote, while young voters can be very sporadic about going to the polls. And there is a small subset of voters who are "political junkies." These people love politics, get involved in campaigns, and see voting as part of their civic duty. However, it is difficult to predict what candidates or issues will drive up the total number of voters. Sometimes, the voter turnout is affected by a ballot initiative (for example, banning same-sex marriage or restricting abortion), causing large numbers of partisans to cast their votes. Charismatic candidates (such as Ronald Reagan or Barack Obama) have also inspired high voter turnout. Thus, given the number of factors that can affect whether people get out and vote, comparing voters with non-voters becomes quite a challenge.