Question

It has been established that voter turnout in US presidential elections is typically lower than what we observe in other established, industrial democracies. In addition, turnout is even lower in Texas compared to other states and even more so in local elections. Discuss the factors that contribute to Texas’ low turnout levels. To what extent does Texas' level of turnout affect the outcome of an election? Explain.

Answer 1

Only 58% of eligible voters turned out in 2016 elections in US and even worse, with 51% in Texas. Texas ranks third to last in terms of voter turnout.

There are a number of factors contributing to the low voter turnout in Texas, such as

• Texans are more poorer people, with less educated, than other states. As they are not familiar with offices where the elections are being held.
• Legal hurdles like Voter ID, difficulties to register voters.
• Texans do not care much about the political activity, the psychology may be to let down the system.
• They do not participate in election because many of them feel that the government is corrupt
• Campaign professionals have failed to campaign these areas.
• Texas is home to 4.7 million immigrants, most of them born in other countries.
• Longstanding system of one party dominance in Texas has also influenced its traditionalist culture.

Texas turnout affect the outcome of an election in many ways such as,

• The first and foremost is that, it clearly shows unequal representation of the people, that is, it is representing only a few people.
• It would mean that those with highest income and assets would win the election
• It can also lead to a situation where the policies are formulated in a way that benefits the voted population and may not be good for the whole population.
• If voter turnout continues to decrease, then the democracy would itself cease to exist.