warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Why Nonvoters Chose To Stay That Way

Brianna Sacks |
October 22, 2012 | 3:51 p.m. PDT

Staff Reporter

(Creative Commons)
(Creative Commons)

Monday was the last day to register to vote in the state of California for the upcoming election, and there are still some 3 million eligible voters in Los Angeles not registered, according to the L.A. County clerk's office.

Age, however, no longer seems to be the defining factor for nonvoters. Many eligible voters choose not to register because they feel they do not matter. 

A survey released in 2005 by the California Voter Foundation reported that many nonvoters are young, two in five are under thirty years old.

But a higher majority of infrequent and nonvoters believe that politics are controlled by special interests, and half of nonvoters grew up in a household where politics were not discussed.

Kim Alexander, President and Founder of the California Voter Foundation, says this holds true today.

"The 2005 report is still extremely relevant today and explains a lot," said Alexander.

Cameron Harris, 24, is a computer engineer from Georgia but has lived in Los Angeles for the past four years. He has not registered to vote this year, but voted in the last election. 

"I've been lazy about it," said Harris.

Harris said he was not sure if he would register this year. 

"It's not too late, is it," he asked. When informed that today was the last day to register, he concluded that he would not be voting in this year's election.  

Although the survey summary report states that infrequent voters and nonvoters do agree that expressing opinion and making one's voice heard is the single most important reason to vote, many nonvoters felt cynical about the presidential election system. 

"It's all a big fuss," said Chris Hoffman, 31, a non-registered voter. "It doesn't matter [if I vote or not] because the delegates decide who becomes president, not the people."  

Hoffman is an animation designer and has lived in Los Angeles for over ten years. Born and raised in South Africa, Hoffman said that his home country's system is much different from America's. 

"It's one man, one vote in South Africa. That's how we determine our president," he said. "I would never vote for a president here."

"I would vote for a councilmember because I believe our votes actually count in those elections," he added.

Hoffman said that even if he liked a candidate, he would not vote to support him because of super delegates. 

"They are the ones who decide," said Hoffman. "Nothing about politics affects the people. The issues don't matter; if you need an abortion, then you will get one anyway. If you want to smoke weed, you will find a way to do so." 

Hoffman said that he is an anomaly in his group of friends. 

"My friends are registered to vote and are very smart, well-informed people," he said. 

Hoffman added that his friends are also very involved in the upcoming election, so he has followed the race because he is interested in their opinions and the issues they find important. He, however, does not think that the presidential candidates have the power to change healthcare or the economy like they say they do. 

"I follow [the election] because I am interested in how the candidates frame things, but healthcare corporations determine healthcare and economics is determined by industry, not politics," said Hoffman. 

Despite California Vote Foundation's findings that "Nonvoters are disproportionately young, single, less educated and more likely to be of an ethnic minority," many young voters are registered to vote and will do so in the upcoming election.

Ashley McKay, 30, lives in Sherman Oaks and has lived in California for eight years. She is registered and this will be her second time voting in a presidential election.

Bryan Robinson, 24, is an NFL content coordinator and will also be voting in his second presidential election this year. Robinson said he made sure he was registered. 

Religious beliefs can be another reason eligible voters do not register. 

John Mendez, 18, said that voting is adverse to his beliefs as a Jehovah's Witness. 

"We don't think politics affects the world, God does," said Mendez. "None of my family members vote either."

Mendez said that this is common belief for Jehovah's Witnesses and it is part of their religion to remain apolitical. Mendez said he chooses not to follow any aspect of the election. 

A candidate's religious affiliation also determines an eligible voter's decision to vote. The Pew Forum published a study stating that nearly 60 percent of highly committed Evangelicals "say their religious beliefs frequently affect their electoral choices," and nearly half of white Evangelical Protestants agree.

Another factor pertinent to California voters' eligibility is whether they are citizens. 

Henry Beugre would vote for Obama, if he could. Originally from the Ivory Coast, Beugre has been living in Los Angeles for nine years and wishes he could vote in this election. 

"I have been waiting to become a citizen for a long time," said Beugre. "I am still waiting for that phone call." 

Daniel McFetridge, on the other hand, said he has no desire to be an American citizen even though he has lived in California for the past 35 years. 

McFetridge was born in Canada and fought for the British Army. He is a retired data control man and currently lives in Los Angeles, but says he will never become an American citizen. 

The survey did note that almost 78 percent of L.A. County's registered voters did turn out to vote on Election Day in 2005. 

There are also those like Hoffman, though, that remain cynical about the upcoming election and actively choose not to register. 

"I just don't really care," said Chad Feeback, another animation designer from Hollywood. 

Feeback, 35, said that the upcoming election has no affect on his life and he chooses not to follow the election or discuss it with his family. 

"I do my job, make money and support my wife," said Feeback. "Whoever is in office does not affect what I do day-to-day."

"Plus I am a white male. No one has to fight for me to be a voter, like blacks or females," he added.  

Like many, Feeback is disenchanted with the current political system and, like Hoffman, agrees that his one vote will not matter. 

 

Reach Staff Reporter Brianna Sacks here.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.

 
ntrandomness