Low Voter Turnout in Los Angeles

An article in the New York Times explains how the 2013 mayoral primary election in Los Angeles produced the lowest voter turnout since 1978.  Only 21 percent of registered voters turned out to the polls.  The article speculates on the possible explanations for such a low turnout.  The suggested reasons include poor weather, fatigue from past elections, or that people are just not passionate about it.  As we learned in class, rational abstention explains why many people believe it makes sense not to vote.

Unfortunately, voting is not costless because people have to take the time and energy to get to the ballot.  If the voter values his time more than he values the benefit of the person winning, then he will not vote.  Rational abstention occurs when a voter realizes that the probability of their vote affecting the outcome of the race is extremely small; therefore, their cost to vote outweighs the benefits of voting so they do not vote.  The article describes as well how disappointed some people are in the low turnout.  Steve Soboroff, who ran for mayor in 2001 was quoted as saying, "The idea that it is socially acceptable not to vote, but people talk about where they get their shoes from, is shameful."  As we learned from class, there are three reasons that people vote: utility, civic duty, and social pressure.  Clearly social pressure does not exist in L.A. if it is deemed socially acceptable not to.  If Los Angeles can inspire their voters to take advantage of their right to vote, then civic duty may increase and so will voter turnout.