Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Sixty-three percent of Americans participated in the election. The lowest turnout was recorded in the 1996 election with Bill Clinton and Bob Doles, only 49% of Americans voted. Voter participation remains consistently below corresponding levels in most other western democracies. In countries like Italy, Belgium, and Austria, more than 90% of eligible citizens cast ballots in every election (Ghosh, “Why is there so much voter apathy in U.S. elections,” 2012). In societies, like the countries in Europe, the average age of people is higher. This causes higher voting turnouts to occur. People with more experience have a sense of ease when voting. It becomes easier to register, and more people participate (“Factors affecting voter turnout- boundless open …show more content…
This tiredness shows something is causing voters to not take part in elections. It is vital that the government should find an everlasting solution, or solutions, to rejuvenate citizens’ direct participation in United States politics. Democracy by its very nature is a system of government by the whole population, or all the eligible members of a state through elected representatives, not just some or a few people, but people as a whole (By Sycorax Tiyesa Ndhlovu- Daily Nation, 2015). Democracy requires a considerable amount of involvement by the population. If there is a large amount, it shows that there is confidence in the electoral process. If there is a small amount, it concludes that people are either uninterested, or the government is not doing its job to get citizens more involved (“Factors affecting voter turnout- boundless open textbook). Voter turnouts are fundamental to a healthy democracy. Low turnout is also caused by disengagement and the belief that voting for one candidate or another will do little or nothing to alter public policy. Voter turnout varies from state to state (Voter turnout- fair