The primary premise upon which this group is founded is that low voter turnout — as a ratio to the total eligible voters — is bad for the country. That’s the hypothesis driving the goal of increasing voter turnout. Where does this hypothesis come from?
Within the pages of The Federalist Papers, the term “faction” was used to describe the type of splitting-off that could happen were there not to be full participation of eligible citizens. In fact, these factions are the primary weakness of our government and, presumably, of any democratic republic.
You can imagine the situation by picturing a small community of one thousand people. Let’s say that out of that thousand, all are eligible to vote, but 750 of them register to do so. Out of that group of 750, then, 375 of them choose to go vote. In that vote, 190 of them win their battle and a large decision is made for the entire community. Does a community of one thousand deserve to be managed by the decision of 190 of them?
That’s what happens in this country every four years. My example numbers above are based on average percentages. For instance, since 1964, the mean percentage of voter turnout was 53%. Just over half. By not voting, we are handing the country over to factions.
Vote your Voice is our attempt at changing that.