Why Don't Americans Vote? Causes and Consequences

February 1, 2017

King and Hale (both, political science, Auburn Univ.) showcase 20 academic essays that explore why voter participation rates have dropped from a high of 80 percent in the 1800s to an average turnout of 50-60 percent, with few exceptions, ever since the 1900s. As the editors note, "no one administrative rule, psychological orientation or voting registration policy can fully explain why an individual may not vote on Election Day," so contributors instead provide exploration into these and many other components that factor into today's disaffected voter climate. There are several appendixes (timely enough to include several notations for "Trump"). VERDICT Critical context for a worrisome political trend.--Judy Quinn, formerly with Library Journal

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2016
With the 2016 presidential election rapidly approaching, contributing editors and Auburn University political science professors King and Hale provide a timely look at the reasons behind and the results of Americans who do not vote. Twenty brief but thorough chapters allow the subject to be examined from numerous angles, from the past to the present, and include recommendations for the future. Such factors as preelection polling, voter registration qualifications, gerrymandering, and the two-party system are concisely handled. It is noted that the rate of voter turnout has caused concern since the late nineteenth century. Anyone interested in learning about voter turnout in U.S. elections will find something of interest in this slim volume.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)