Voter Turnout

America has a very low voter turnout in comparison to other countries. There are many factors that affect voter turnout, one of them being age. The older you are, the more likely you are to vote. Part of this, of course, is due to the fact that you cannot register to vote until you are eighteen; However, even passed the age of eighteen, voters yield wide differences by age. As people grow older, they tend to grow firmer in their political ideology and political knowledge, and their developed opinions give them greater incentive to vote. In addition to age, education is a huge factor in voter turnout. A study done in 2000 showed that 72% of college graduates voted as opposed to 42% of those who only received a high school diploma. Higher educated people are more capable of discerning major differences between candidates. They also have training that proves useful when clearing hurdles imposed by registration requirements.
Voter registration laws are, in part, to blame for why Americans are less likely to go to the polls. They require individuals to first place their name on an electoral role in order to be able to vote. Registration procedures differ from state to state, some allowing registration on procedure day, and others requiring earlier action. The 1993 Motor Voter Act makes registration easier for allowing eligible voters to register by checking a box on their license application or renewal form, but the turnout has still been very disappointing.
A variety of linkage institutions are required to connect citizens to government due to low voter turnout. One of these institutions is the media. With media so readily available with modern technology, people can stay updated on issues in the White House, presidential campaigns, interest groups, polls, and more just by turning on the TV or checking the internet. Many people can get involved with politics online as well, making participation easier.