Do you know the reasons why many Americans won’t vote in November?

Even though voting is a right that gives people the opportunity to have their thoughts heard, up to half of eligible US voters still choose not to take part in the electoral process. Our country has come a long way for this to even be possible and give people the freedom to express their thoughts and opinions. But sometimes, making a decision is harder than it seems, although the future of the country is the most important thing.

When it comes to voter turnout, the US trails well behind the majority of other developed nations. According to researchers, just 55.7% of Americans cast ballots in the 2016 presidential election, and even less, 36.4%, did so in 2014.

The reasons why people vote are different from one another. They might think that casting a ballot can change things and that voting is their civic responsibility. Others simply go to the polls out of a desire to blend in with their peers or because they are angry about a certain topic.

On the other hand, the reasons why many Americans won’t vote are just as complex. While voting can help maintain a correct and functioning democracy, sometimes logistical and socioeconomic status can get in the way. We were curious to see why many Americans wouldn’t vote in November, so we asked a few people. Here’s what they answered:

1. Votes don’t feel represented

The Democratic and Republican parties are the two biggest political parties in America. But did you know that 7% of citizens identify as independents? These folks are usually less into politics and don’t get to vote for presidential candidates in the primary elections.

2. They want, but can’t

Unfortunately, one of the main reasons why many Americans won’t vote in November is because they can’t, although they want to. 31 million Americans lack a government-issued photo ID. Since 36 states require identification to cast a ballot, they’re more likely to miss out on their rights. Sadly, low-income people, older adults, and people of color might find it challenging to obtain identification due to financial constraints, limited information, and a lack of access to transportation.

Many former and current prisoners, especially African Americans, often lose their right to vote. However, Maine and Vermont stand out as the only states that allow those convicted of felonies to vote, even while in prison.

Even though the decisions made by presidents have an impact on their lives, millions of citizens who live on US territories, such as Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico, aren’t allowed to vote in general elections due to the Electoral College system, a body of electors established by the US constitution.

3. Elections are on Tuesdays

Did you know that the most common voting day in the world is Sunday? The United States, on the other hand, is different, and they hold elections on Tuesdays. Since this isn’t a federal holiday, it can’t be a major problem for many workers who can’t take paid time off to vote. Of course, early and mail-in voting are great options and help people be more flexible, but they’re not available in all 50 states.

…Did you know that education is also one of the reasons why many Americans won’t vote in the 2024 election? We know what the experts say, so keep reading to find out!

4. Education, gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status

According to experts, nonvoters are more likely to be young people, Asian Americans, low-income people, and Hispanics. Unfortunately, poor people can face several barriers, and according to the US census, 47% of eligible voters with household incomes under $20,000 didn’t cast a ballot in 2012.

Moreover, a survey conducted by Caltech and MIT of registered and non-registered voters who didn’t vote in the 2008 election suggested that citizens of color are more likely not to cast a ballot because they meet more barriers to voting compared to white citizens, who tend not to vote by choice.

Other than that, people of color are disproportionately affected by some laws and structural policies, including ID requirements and restricted early voting periods, which together serve to suppress voting across the country.

Another reason why many Americans won’t vote this November is registration. For some citizens, this can be complicated because it is voluntary, while in other parts of the world, it is automatic. It can be expensive to obtain a new ID; missing work isn’t always an option financially; and low-income people are more likely to relocate, which necessitates more paperwork for registration.

However, older residents don’t have to reregister because they typically move, which leads to a higher voter turnout in their demographic. Higher-income earners who have completed their education are also more likely to vote and look up political information. Experts say that women are more likely to vote compared to men, regardless of other factors.

5. Lack of information

One of the most common reasons why many Americans won’t vote is a lack of information. They feel like they don’t know enough about the politicians who want to rule the country, so instead of making a bad decision, they prefer to stay away from the entire thing.

…What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree with people who don’t vote because they feel like they don’t have enough information about the nominees?

6. Will my ballot be counted?

Uncertainty is one of the main reasons why many Americans won’t vote this November. One man told us that when he lived in a cute county outside Detroit, his ballot wasn’t counted. He came to the polling place with his driver’s license, but he was required to fill out a provisional ballot because he didn’t have a voter registration card.

Provisional ballots are used when a voter’s eligibility is uncertain, and they can make people skeptical. The man moved and decided not to repeat the same thing all over again. He had all the necessary documents ready, but his work required him to be away from home for 24-hour stretches, making it harder to vote on Election Day. When he was finally able to vote, he waited in line for six hours.

Many people share a similar story. Another man said that he suffers from severe health issues and can’t vote in person. He doesn’t believe in mail-in ballots either, because one time, when he did so, his vote didn’t get counted, and he lost hope.

Sadly, more and more people are in similar situations, and it can cause additional problems for the future of the country, especially since politicians are extremely powerful.

7. Their ballots don’t matter

Some experts discovered that in the 2016 presidential election, 15% of registered voters didn’t cast a ballot because they felt their vote wouldn’t matter. But that’s not all. A different survey discovered that half of the respondents didn’t research the election, thinking their vote wouldn’t influence the government.

Even though it might seem like you don’t fully agree with everything a politician says, you don’t have to neglect your rights. At the end of the day, voting is a powerful way to drive policies that reflect your values.

While many obstacles can make voting seem daunting, not voting means your voice goes unheard. With a bit of preparation and information, your vote can shape the world you want to live in. Don’t let barriers silence you; your vote truly matters!

If you want to learn more about why voting is so important, here’s a wonderful book for you! Do you know any other reasons why many Americans won’t vote this November? Let us know in the comments below! Will you vote this year? Let’s chat in the comments!

If you find this article helpful and you’d like to check out something else from Mind-Bending Facts, here’s a good post for you: The Psychology Behind Conspiracy Theories about Trump’s Assassination Attempt