Voter Demographics It is important to consider the characteristics of individuals who do and do not vote. Voters tend to benefit from governmental representation, and share comparable education and economic traits. In examining the education and economic traits that are consistent among voters, the government can evaluate what necessary action should be taken in order to address and enable unrepresented non-voters to increase the likelihood of voting. From a national outlook, those who vote and do not vote are determined by educational and economic criteria. Those individuals who do not vote tend to be low income, less educated or both. (Haspel, Knotts 2005, 560-573; Hillygus 2005, 25-47) Due to lack of voting, the economic and educationally disadvantaged continue to be under-represented if not completely unrepresented in the political system.
2010 Voter Information % that did not vote
41% - 49.9% 50% - 54.9% 55% - 59.9% 60% - 64.9% 65% - 70%
Image 1: Voter Participation by State.
Source: 2012 U.S.Census Bureau.
Education One common characteristic in the likelihood of voting is whether one has received higher education. Education is a dominant characteristic in determining whether someone is likely to vote in the future. One potential reason is because most college degrees include some form of American history and governmental education. Knowledge of the general inner workings of government procedure could possibly give the necessary direction individuals need in order to participate in politics, ultimately increasing the likelihood that they will vote. (Larcinese 2007, 387-411) Associate professor of political science at Duke University, D. Sunshine Hillygus states Brett thomas | 77