Voter Apathy

{Voter Apathy

The Realities and What We Can Do

Judd PritchardBarlow Garsek & Simon LLP

920 Foch StreetFort Worth, Texas [email protected]

Texas has worst voter turnout in the country. - The University of Texas Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life

“The folks who are governing the good state of Texas aren't interested in having more people participate.” – President Barack Obama, Interview with Evan Smith of The Texas Tribune, March 2016

“What I find is that leaders of the other party are against efforts to crack down on voter fraud.” – Texas Governor Greg Abbott response to President Obama, March 13, 2016

What are they saying about us as Texans?

Truth and Consequences of Texas

Turnout

Nov-00

Nov-04

Nov-08

Nov-12

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

TarrantDallasTexas

Presidential Elections Since 2000

Turnout % of Registered Voters

Source: Texas Secretary of State – Elections Division

Nov-02

Nov-06

Nov-10

Nov-14

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

TarrantDallasTexas

Gubernational Elections Since 2000

Turnout % of Registered Voters


May-07

May-08

May-09

Nov-09

May-10

Nov-11

Nov-12

May-13

Nov-13

May-14

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

TarrantDallas

Local Elections Since 2007Turnout % of Registered Voters

Source: Dallas County Elections Office and Tarrant County Elections Office

Why Does Voting Matter?

• Shouldn’t Policy Be Left to the Those that Care Enough to Show Up?

“The abysmally low turnout in last week’s midterm elections

— the lowest in more than seven decades — was bad for Democrats,

but it was even worse for democracy.”

– New York Times Editorial Board, Nov. 11, 2014

Mar-00Mar-02Mar-04Mar-06Mar-08Mar-10Mar-12Mar-14Mar-16

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

% of Voters

% of Voters

Why is Voter Turnout Important?

The Example of GOP Primary Turnout Since 2000


“Voter apathy is the greatest threat to the long-term viability of the Texas Republican Party.”

- Geoff Bailey, Trib Talk, Dec. 22, 2014

Liberal

Lean Liberal

Mixed

Lean Cons.

Conservative

0% 50% 100%

Always Vote

Always Vote

The U-Effect of Voter Turnout

Source: Pew Research Center – 2014 Political Polarization in the American

Public

Average Turnout 2000-2014:

Dallas and Tarrant Combined

Presidential Elections: 59.7% Average Turnout

Gubernational Elections: 40% Average Turnout

Local Elections: 12.71% Average Turnout

Voter Apathy in the Metroplex:

Our Problem is Localized

Local Races are Most Important

1. Transportation2. Tax Rates3. Education4. Public Safety5. Citizen Influence

FACT:

Typical Voter Voice Heard Less at

National/State Level

But….Voter Turnout MUCH HIGHER

FACT:

The Opportunity to Be Heard is at Local Level

1. Volunteers have closer contact with candidates

2. Smaller $ can influence vote3. Continued contact with Elected

Officials

What Do These Facts Suggest is Causing

Voter Apathy?

Voter Disenfranchisement is

NOT the issue….AND

The Opportunity to Increase Voter Turnout

Locally is NOW

Causes of Voter Apathy

1. Voter Registration Requirements

2. Number of Elections

3. Candidate Messaging and Targeting

4. Demographics

5. The Current Realities of Voting

Improving Registration:

More Voters Means …More Voters

1. Voter Registration Drives

Studies Show that Non-Partisan Efforts are Largely More Effective

Improving Registration:

Source: Michelson, Melissa R. “How to Increase Voter Turnout in Communities Where People Have Not Usually Participated in Elections,” Scholars Strategy Network, 2014.

2. Personal Contact is Key

Well-Organized and Consistent Contact with Potential Voters

- Door-to-Door or Phone Calls

Go Where the New Voters Are

Mail Works For Regular Voters – Not to Increase New Voters


3. Mandatory/Automatic Registration

A. Mandatory Registration (Vote or Fine)

Brazil – 80.6%Australia – 81%

B. Automatic RegistrationFrance – 71.2%Sweden – 82.6%

Source: Belton, Danielle C. “Want to Improve Voter Turnout? Abolish Voter Registration. No, Really!,” http://www.theroot.com

Consolidation of Elections:

Less Confusion Means …More Voters

1. Eliminate Voter Fatigue

Dallas/Tarrant Counties had 70+ Elections from 2000-2016

Consolidation of Election:

Source: Dallas County Elections Office and Tarrant County Elections Office.

Improving Messaging:

Engaged Public Means …More Voters

1. Get Non-Voters Invested in Vote

- Personal Accountability of Voter- Instrinsic Part of Voter’s Identity

Improving Messaging:

Source: Rigoglioso, Marguerite, “Research-Backed Ways to Get Out the Vote”, Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2012.

2. Connect Issues With Voters

- Ongoing Discussions with People About How Issues Are Affecting Them – Even in Non-Election Years

Widening Our Reach:

New Voters Means …More Voters

1. Dialogue with Younger Voters

- Where Do Millenials Get Their News?- Politics is a Social Experience

Source: Mitchell, Amy, “Political Interest and Awareness Lower Among Millenials,” Pew Research Center, 2015.

Widening Our Reach:

2. Understanding How Different Groups Engage With Politics- Use of Native Languages - Appeals of Ethnic Solidarity


Meeting New Realities:

New Methods Means …More Voters

1. Use of Technology

- Phone App being tested for ballot scanning from phone- Use of texting/emails to help with process- Tracking of Mail-in Ballots- Online Voting

Sources: Batte, Jacob, “Secretary of State Hopes Technology Increases Voter Turnout,” August 20, 2015, Houma Today; Lerner, Kira, “5 Ways To Fix America’s Dismal Voter Turnout Problem,” February 5, 2015, Think Progress.

Meeting New Realities:

2. Improving The Voting Experience- Hiring Skilled and Paid Polling Officials- Consistency of Experience

Source: Lerner, Kira, “5 Ways To Fix America’s Dismal Voter Turnout Problem,” February 5, 2015, Think Progress.

Questions?Comments?

Judd PritchardBarlow Garsek & Simon LLP

920 Foch StreetFort Worth, Texas [email protected]

Voter Apathy

Government & Nonprofit

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