1998 FRQ Template

A1. One demographic characteristic associated with nonvoting is….
age. The 18-24 voting bloc has low rates of participation as compared to other age groups. This group, especially college-aged students have cited lack of information, time and interest as to why they do not show up at the polls. This is why this group does not tend to vote.


A2. Another demographic characteristic associated with nonvoting is….
race. Certain minority groups such as African-Americans have low rates of voting participation in part because of their historic exclusion from voting in parts of the country such as the Deep South. Literacy tests, poll taxes and other measures were taken up against this group to keep them away from the polls. Low political efficacy can describe this group and that one reason why they don’t tend to vote in today’s elections.


B1. One institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is….
the cumbersome voter registration process. It can be very difficult finding a place to register in the United States. The form to fill out for registration is also confusing for many people. People get frustrated trying to find a place to register and give up on voting.


B2. Another institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is….
the voting ballot. It can be very confusing to many people. The voting ballot is often long and misleading. Many initiatives on the ballot are purposely set up to confuse the voter. For this reason many people get frustrated and refuse to vote.


B3. Yet another institutional obstacle associated with nonvoting is….
the single-day Tuesday vote. While the Constitution spells out that voting should take place on the first Tuesday in November, a single-day vote can be difficult for many Americans to carry out. In many parts of the country, November can be an extremely harsh weather month. If on the one day in November there is a storm or some other weather calamity, many Americans will stay away from the vote.