Question

3 multiple choice 1 point
non-voting is a huge problem in the us because...
many americans think voting does not make a difference.
most americans do not believe in democracy.
most voters think that all elections are of equal importance.
many illegal aliens vote.

Explanation:

Analyze the question stem

The question asks why non-voting (low voter turnout) is considered a significant issue in the United States. This relates to the concept of Voter Turnout and the underlying attitudes of citizens toward their democratic institutions.

Evaluate the first option

The first option states: "many Americans think voting does not make a difference." This directly addresses a core concept in political science known as political efficacy—the belief that individual political action matters and can influence government. When citizens feel their vote has no impact, they choose not to participate, leading to low voter turnout and weakening democratic representation.

Evaluate the second option

The second option states: "most Americans do not believe in democracy." This is factually incorrect. While there may be dissatisfaction with specific political institutions or leaders, broad support for the ideal of democratic governance remains high among the American public.

Evaluate the third option

The third option states: "most voters think that all elections are of equal importance." This is incorrect because voter turnout data consistently shows that Americans do not treat all elections equally. Turnout is significantly higher in presidential elections than in midterm, state, or local elections, indicating that voters perceive some elections as far more important than others.

Evaluate the fourth option

The fourth option states: "many illegal aliens vote." This is factually incorrect and not supported by empirical evidence. Non-citizens are legally barred from voting in federal elections, and documented instances of non-citizen voting are extremely rare. Therefore, this is not a valid explanation for why non-voting is a systemic problem.

Answer:

• (A) many Americans think voting does not make a difference. (Correct answer)
• (B) most Americans do not believe in democracy.
• (C) most voters think that all elections are of equal importance.
• (D) many illegal aliens vote.