The following is a compilation of the easel sheet responses to the why/why not vote exercise in the Key to Community workshops across all the partner locations:
| Why Vote
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Why Not Vote
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to make a change
to be heard/express my opinion
because we have the right
to support a candidate or issue-or vote against them
to represent my people/give them a stronger presence
it is our responsibility as citizens
improve the quality of life
ancestors fought for the right
get rid of bad politicians
we can make a difference/have seen change happen
to make things better for our kids/better education
to have the right to complain
to be a role model for others
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unclear about the issues/don't understand what's going on
don't know how to vote/afraid of process
not registered/not a cirizen
ballot is too long/intimidating
too complicated/a struggle to choose
need more info/don't know where to get it
my one vote won't make a difference/feel vote doesn't count
difficulty with reading/with language
cultural background discourages voting
don't care/has nothing to do with me
too muh mudslinging/don't like politics
no one/nothing I wanted to vote for
nothing happens after candidates are elected
don't want to serve on jury duty
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Motivations for Voting
In this study, the reasons the groups gave as to why people vote fell into three main clusters:
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Desire for change
to make a change
to support a candidate or issue - or vote against them
to improve the quality of my life
to get rid of bad politicans
we can make a difference/I have seen change happen
to make things better for my kids/get better education
To be heard/express self
to be heard/express my opinion
to represent my people/give them a stronger presence
to be a role model/inspire others
Duty/privilege
because we have the right
it is our responsibility as citizens
my ancestors fought for the right
to have the right to complain
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| The general order fell from the practical/change-oriented motivations, followed by expression, with the abstract concepts of duty and privilege falling in 3rd rank. Many traditional "get out the vote" programs focuse on the latter and might try a different approach with this type of audience.
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