US Voter Turnout Lowest in 72 Years
A New York Times editorial highlights how the 2014 mid-term Congressional elections attracted the lowest national turnout of voters – only 36.3% – since 1942.
Less than 50% of voters turned out to vote in 43 states, while in New York state only 29% of voters bothered to vote.
Significantly, only 13% of young people voted, compared with 19% in the 2012 elections.
The editorial attributes the low turnout to the negative tone of campaigning as well as logistical difficulties for many voters in casting a vote.
It calls for mail voting to make it easier to vote and more generally, for politicians to focus on more positive policy platforms to reverse voter disengagement.
Thumbnail image: Theresa Thompson/Flickr