The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for October 25, 2022
Medill School of Journalism – AMERICANS ARE LESS HOPEFUL OVERALL, BUT NONVOTERS ARE ESPECIALLY FATALISTIC
New York Times – What Really Makes Us Vote? It May Be Our ParentsFiveThirtyEight.com – Why Many Americans Don’t Vote
NPR – Poll: Despite Record Turnout, 80 Million Americans Didn’t Vote. Here’s Why
CNBC – âI donât plan to vote ever againâ: The psychology of why so many people donât vote, even in 2020
American Progress – Increasing Voter Participation in America
Groups Taking Action:
Movement Voter Project, Voto Latino, Black Voters Matter, Vote.org
Youâre listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
This week weâre looking at the reasons why people donât vote. Research shows when citizens donât follow the daily news, or when their family and friends donât vote, citizens are less likely to vote.
A 2020 IPSOS/NPR survey shows a suspicion of news media among nonvoters, 80% of whom agreed with the statement, âThe mainstream media are more interested in making money than telling the truth.â Nonvoters watch less television, see less news on mobile devices and computers, and are less likely to follow campaigns. Only a third watched part of a political convention, and two-thirds didnât watch a debate.
Another factor: Family & friends. Only 5% of nonvoters say they DO discuss politics with family members, 41% NEVER discuss politics with their family, 53% say they never discuss politics with friends. But there is more and more evidence that influence of family members and friends can encourage nonvoters to register and vote, particularly among younger voters.
A 2016 New York Times article interviewed Henry Brady, dean of the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. He said, âVoting behavior is very much a habit,â âIf youâve had the behavior modeled in your home by your parents consistently voting, by political discussion, sometimes by participation, you start a habit formation and then when you become a little older youâll feel itâs your duty and responsibility to register and vote.â
Links to articles and the surveys can be found at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
For the American Democracy Minute, Iâm Brian Beihl