Historically, Arizona voter turnout is abysmal. Arizona always trails the national average. The failure of Arizonans to vote is why we have the government that we do at the state capitol. If Arizonans would all just get off their asses and exercise their civic duty as a U.S. citizen to vote, maybe things would change for the better. Voter Turnout | Arizona Indicators (from George Mason University):
Here is voter turnout by “voting age population” (VAP), includes all those over 18. In the 2010 midterm election, VAP turnout was only 35.9%.
Here is voter turnout by “voting eligible population” (VAP), counts only those truly able to register and vote, excluding non-citizens, non-residents, felons, and mentally incapacitated persons. In the 2010 midterm election, VAP turnout was only 41.5%.
So what are the most common excuses people give for not voting?
Gwen Sharp, Ph.D. wrote in 2012, Why Don’t People Vote? (UPDATE) » Sociological Images:
In 2008, about 64% of eligible citizens voted. So what reasons do non-voters give for not taking part in the election? The Census Bureau asked. I created a chart of the data found on p. 14 of the report by Thom File and Sarah Crissey.
UPDATE: Please note this data is for registered non-voters; about 89% of this group votes, significantly higher than that for eligible citizens overall. I apologize that I didn’t make the distinction clearer in my initial post.
Here are the reasons registered non-voters gave:
So the single most common reason (17.5%) for not voting was that the person was too busy or their schedule conflicted with available voting hours (at least those the respondent was aware of). Other common reasons were illness or disability (14.9%), the person just wasn’t interested in the election (13.4%), didn’t like the candidates or issues (12.9%), and other (11.3%).
Let’s break this down. Here in Arizona we have almost a full month of early voting. Not only that, but any voter can request a mail-in early ballot to fill out at his or her leisure and return it by mail. “Too busy” and “conflicts with your schedule” and ” bad weather” just doesn’t cut it as an excuse. Special election equipment and assistance are available to disabled voters, so even a good percentage of ill/disabled voters can vote as well.
It is these last categories of “not interested,” “don’t like the candidates,” “I forgot,” or one I hear frequently, “I don’t like all the negative advertising” that really makes me grind my teeth. These excuses typically come from politically disengaged individuals who do not participate in the political process. But oh do they love to bitch and moan about politicians and the government.
Well you know what? Too bad for you! The only thing we ask of you is to vote. It only takes less than 10 minutes of your time. Is that really too much to ask of you? Otherwise, if you don’t vote, you don’t get to complain. And remember:
I disagree. If someone is so disinterested that they can’t bother to take the few almost childishly simple steps necessary to register and vote, then it is likely they will be uninformed if they actually get around to casting a ballot. I would rather not have someone vote based on whether or not they like the candidate’s name, or because the name is or isn’t Hispanic, or because the candidate is or isn’t a woman, or any number of a thousand dumb criteria.
Simply casting a vote is a pointless gesture unless there is at least some thought and understanding behind the process. I want ALL citizens to vote, but I don’t want them shamed or badgered into doing so. I want an informed electorate casting a vote that actually is a reflection of what they think and reason. I want them proud they voted and understanding the significance of what just happened when they do cast that ballot. After all, Saddam Hussein and Kim Jung Il had 100% voter turn out and what did it mean?
What you want is a Utopian society that does not exist. There are many reasons what motivates someone to vote for a candidate, who are you to decide their reasons why? There are many low information uninformed voters who consistently vote all the time; how is their vote any less offensive to you than the occasional voter?
“Simply casting a ballot is a pointless gesture”? That is the foundation of a democracy, and the minimal civic duty required of a citizen of this country. Use it or lose it.
Looking at the Ballot,no Green Party candidates,so no reason to vote.
Vote Ed Snowden for President in 2016 !!!!!!!!
That’s because Green Party candidates are too goddamn lazy to collect the couple of dozen signatures it takes for them to appear on the ballot. They may not even qualify for an automatic line on the ballot in 2016 because there are so few people registered as Green Party. So I guess you won’t be voting, ever.
Good post. Not voting is precisely the reason we have so many idiots in public office.