RCL 8 Draft for Shift

47 million people, larger than the entire population of Spain— that’s the difference in voter turnout between the 2012 and 2014 U.S. elections. Yes, 2014 may not have been a Presidential vote, but why did about 47 million Americans decide voting wasn’t as important just 2 years later?

This isn’t a recent development, or a new trend for that matter; for decades, millions of citizens have sat home on election day, even during Presidential votes. On a national scale, about 83% of able voters went to polls in 1876, yet only 53% of the voting population voted in 2012.

Among the mostly democratic nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States was ranked 31st out of 35 countries in voter turnout. TALK ABOUT  COMPULSORY VOTING HERE WHAT ARE OTHER NATIONS DOING THAT WE’RE NOT

LACK OF REPRESENTATION**

EDUCATION **

 

 

Current research has shown high barrier to entry, lack of representation, and education catalyzes low voter turnout and by focusing on mobilizing local community members these numbers can rise.

Next 3 graphs will expand on those points

Many Americans find themselves squinting at the big picture, rather than understanding what’s right in the foreground. In other words, citizens find the American government to be filled with so many positions and levels, leading to confusion as to how anything the government does, especially on the local scale, has any effect on our daily lives.

In 1953, 93% of able voters turned out for the NY mayorial election, yet in contrast to 26% in 2013. Currently, less than 25% of able citizens nationwide vote in their local elections. Because of this, the voting population does not accurately represent the community as a whole.

Every election is impactful in one way or another, whether it involves Bowling Green, Kentucky or the entire state itself. However, local elections impact us most directly. These smaller scale elections determine anything from transit regulations to reproductive rights. Presidents don’t choose which schools get more funding or what libraries are built. Should we build a new truck stop, or even a stadium? If we care about our towns, we have to care about not only who gets elected, but the actual issues on the ballot.

In recent decades, there has been a major decline in voter participation on a national level in local elections as a result of lack of community participation, specifically with adolescents and mid age citizens, however, by incorporating these age groups into the government by hosting events for citizens to get more involved, voter turnout rates may be resurrected.

HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET PEOPLE TO VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS(STRATEGIES)

 

(CALL TO ACTION WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT AT ALL!!!) FINALE

 

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