A study of 3,000 companies found a correlation between local ‘social capital’ – which measures such variables as voter turnout and census response rates – and more women on corporate boards.
With Democratic voters already packed into a small number of districts, reducing voter turnout won’t really lower the chances of Democrats winning – or help Republicans win.
Democracy only works well when citizens participate in the democratic process and participate equally. But in the United States, lack of trust is eroding democracy’s promise.
About 2.9 million eligible American voters live abroad, including members of the military and embassy staffers. Just 5% of them cast their ballots in 2018.
Strangers used to call and stop by; now the most effective way to get people to vote involves getting groups of friends and neighbors to pressure each other to participate in democracy.
‘I don’t like the candidates,’ ‘I don’t know enough to make a decision,’ ‘I don’t want to give this election legitimacy’ – an ethicist takes on nonvoters.
Researchers examined the voting behavior of 5,762 students at 120 colleges and universities. Two groups stood out as an untapped electoral resource – if the candidates can turn out Gen Z.
By picking Kamala Harris, a Black running mate, Biden may have brought younger Black Americans, who now comprise a critical set of swing voters, over to his side.
It’s a myth that Black voters represent monolithic support for Democrats. A recent survey shows that young Black Americans in swing states have big reservations about Joe Biden, Democrats and voting.
Citizens voting directly on policy seems like a good idea. But that led to the Brexit mess in the UK. In the US, two scholars say direct democracy deepens distrust of politics and government.
The idea that a small payment could motivate more people to vote resurfaces regularly, but this ignores evidence that monetary incentives to induce pro-social behaviour can be counterproductive.
Maria Bargh, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington and Arama Rata, University of Waikato
The failure of the 2018 census to get a good response rate highlights the need for multiple voting options to increase participation, particularly of Māori.