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The United States has a pretty pathetic voter turnout when it comes to National Elections, particularly when compared to other countries. Most recent available figures show

New Zealand ----------79.46%

Germany---------------77.65%

Japan-------------------67.46%

U.K.----------------------61.36%

France------------------60.44%

UNITED STATES--------47.52%

International IDEA | Voter Turnout





























states

My mom and an aunt wouldn't vote because they were scared to death it would cause them to be called for jury duty. I told them jury duty isn't that hard to get out of but, since they both claimed to be democrats, I didn't really care if they didn't vote.

Actually in the 2008 election we had the highest voter turnout we have seen in many decades.

84% of those qualified to vote registered.

77% of the registered voters actually voted.

In 2008, 201 million people were "qualified" to vote, meaning they could register and vote in elections.

Of those about 169 (84%)million did register.

Of those, 131,257,328 (77%) actually voted.

Of those, 69,456,897 (53%) voted for the winning candidate.

Of course that still means that 34% of those qualified elected the current president.

that's because we are prosecuted if we don't vote...how's that for democracy eh?

fuzzywuzzy;1305114 wrote: that's because we are prosecuted if we don't vote...how's that for democracy eh?
Are you serious?

Part of that reason is the voting system makes people feel it's pointless.

If you live in a solid red/blue state, it's almost a waste of time. They need to get rid of the electoral system IMO.

Also, there needs to be a way for people to cast multiple votes, so that they can select the most likely winner they can live with, and still vote for their preferred candidate (without feeling like they are wasting their vote on a long shot).

At this point, we might as well just do away with elections, and compare the candidates in terms of who has the most advertising money to spend on misleading propaganda about their opponents.

yaaarrrgg;1305353 wrote: Part of that reason is the voting system makes people feel it's pointless.

If you live in a solid red/blue state, it's almost a waste of time. They need to get rid of the electoral system IMO.

Also, there needs to be a way for people to cast multiple votes, so that they can select the most likely winner they can live with, and still vote for their preferred candidate (without feeling like they are wasting their vote on a long shot).

At this point, we might as well just do away with elections, and compare the candidates in terms of who has the most advertising money to spend on misleading propaganda about their opponents.Make it a reality television show with the audience making the final decision. Also, create a derivatives market on the outcome. Call it Election Default Swaps. That'll make it even more uniquely American.

Thats what we strive for, isn't it?

Ahso!;1305371 wrote: Make it a reality television show with the audience making the final decision. Also, create a derivatives market on the outcome. Call it Election Default Swaps. That'll make it even more uniquely American.

Thats what we strive for, isn't it?


Good idea

I thought I heard that more people voted in American Idol than some of the elections (not sure about the actual numbers though).

I like the reality TV thing.

Put together something like across between the Amazing Race and Survivor. Toss in the Pres wannabe's and let 'er rip.

The final two go to a vote for which one is pres and which is VP.