https://www.dailykos.com/news/electionsturnoutdemographicsinspiration News Community Action Copyright 2005 - Steal what you want Sun, 26 Jan 2020 04:31:45 +0000 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 04:31:45 +0000 Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) Daily Kos rss@dailykos.com (Daily Kos) https://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/6/25/1542466/-Voting-When-You-re-Not-Inspired <p>It’s well established that the young, the poor, and minorities don’t vote in off-year (non-Presidential) elections as much as they do in Presidential elections.  For example, the 18-30 turnout was 18 and 19 percent of the electorate in 2008 and 2012, only 12 and 13 percent in 2010 and 2014.   These demographics also have a lower rate of voting going down the ballot.    If these groups voted as relentlessly as those who are not of those groups do, we would live in a much different, much better world.  But they don’t and we don’t. <br> One of the biggest piles of bullshit emanating from the Bernieverse is that they won’t if not inspired and that somehow it’s the duty of others to inspire them.   No, voting is a job and a you go to work even on the days you’re not inspired.  Your job is picking someone to do the job of formulating and executing policy, everything from the President down to the local school board.    <br> <br> The June 27 issue of the New Yorker has an article, “Drawing the Line,” by  Elizabeth Kolbert, about the devastating brilliance of the Republican gerrymandering of the House after the 2010 election and census and how it came to pass.   In 2012, Democrats cast 1.7 million more votes for House seats than Republicans...and the Republicans came away with 33 more House seats.   <br> The Republican success came as a result of focusing on dozens of state legislative races in 2010  in chambers where the Democrats had narrow control.   All the races where blocs of voters are sitting on their asses because nobody “inspires” them.</p> <p><a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/06/27/ratfcked-the-influence-of-redistricting" target="_blank">Drawing the Line</a></p> <p>I commend it to your attention.</p> rss@dailykos.com (MontoyaInigo) electionsturnoutdemographicsinspiration _1542466 Sat, 25 Jun 2016 20:43:24 +0000