Question

Please read the article “Why Many Young People Don’t Vote – And How to Fix That” written by John Holbein following this link

https://politicalsciencenow.com/why-many-young-people-dont-vote-and-how-to-fix-that/

(Links to an external site.)

Among others, Holbein (2020) claims the following:

Voter turnout among young Americans has been dismal since 18-year-olds earned the right to vote with the passage of the 26th amendment in 1971. Even in 2018—a high water mark for youth voting—7 in 10 young voters failed to turn out. In most presidential and midterm elections it’s not uncommon to see older voters turn out at a rate twice as high as their younger counterparts.

These patterns have a significant negative impact on our democracy. Among other things, youth disengagement grants more political power to the elderly. Low youth turnout also deprives young people of the civic benefits that come from participating in this foundational act of democracy.

• Do you agree with the author with regard to the reasons as to why young people do not vote?

• In your opinion, what would be the best way to increase the number of young people voting in American elections?