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# Addressing the Problem of Voter Turnout: An Application of Systems Thinking

## Details

**Authors** Hansen M

**Year** 2016

**Publisher** Cornell Policy Review

**Kind of work** article

**Discipline** Public Policy

**Kind of engagement** applications

[Read it](https://www.cornellpolicyreview.com/addressing-the-problem-of-voter-turnout-an-application-of-systems-thinking/)

## In authors' words

### Abstract

The low rates of voter turnout in the United States have generated concern among the media, general public, and a variety of academic domains. Turnout for the 2008 U.S. presidential election was 62 percent; in 2012, it was 59 percent. While it is not unusual for participation rates to fluctuate between elections, diachronic comparisons reveal a trend of overall declining rates both in the U.S. and in other industrial countries. From the viewpoint of a political scientist, low turnout is a problem because democracy relies on the election of officials by the citizenry, and the legitimacy of such elections depends on the number of citizens that participate – the level of voter turnout. I apply Systems Thinking (DSRP) analysis to better conceptualize how the problem is understood and identify where solutions may be found. In doing so, I find that most of the current approaches to dealing with voter turnout identify the solution as reducing the cost of voting. This method assumes that people do not vote because the cost of doing so is prohibitive; removing cost barriers will therefore increase voter turnout. However, through the application of Systems Thinking, I argue that this focus neglects to consider the substantial effects of benefits and political interest on voting behavior. I suggest that instead of focusing solely on cost, solutions to the problem of low and declining voter turnout may be found in alternate areas. After all, if people see no benefit to voting, or if they simply do not care, no matter how low the costs are, they still will not vote.

### What they set out to do (purpose)

A Cornell Policy Review piece applying DSRP analysis to low and declining voter turnout in the United States.

### What they found (results)

Current approaches fixate on reducing the cost of voting, but that neglects benefits and political interest — if people see no benefit to voting or simply do not care, no cost reduction will bring them to the polls.

## Commentary

### In short

A student application of DSRP, from the Cornell Policy Review systems thinking special issues.

**Patterns it shows** R, P

**How to cite this** Hansen M (2016). Addressing the Problem of Voter Turnout: An Application of Systems Thinking. Cornell Policy Review.