voter apathy
TRANSCRIPT
{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
Source: Texas Secretary of State – Elections Division
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
Source: Texas Secretary of State – Elections Division
“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
Source: Michelson, Melissa R. “How to Increase Voter Turnout in Communities Where People Have Not Usually Participated in Elections,” Scholars Strategy Network, 2014.
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
Source: Michelson, Melissa R. “How to Increase Voter Turnout in Communities Where People Have Not Usually Participated in Elections,” Scholars Strategy Network, 2014.
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]