In 2012, 40 percent of Americans didn’t vote. The research on this website is an attempt to determine why so many citizens opt out of this fundamental civic duty, using extensive survey research as well as interviews with nonvoters to give a voice to those who are often ignored or marginalized by politicians and the news media.
In addition to gaining a better understand of the attitudes of nonvoters, the research explores ways the news media could better engage nonvoters, which would increase the overall media usage and consumption.
The research by Professor Ellen Shearer and the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications dates to 1996.
After voting in every presidential election he could, Chester Orgeron III finally had enough. The 48-year-old had lost faith in the federal government, he thought the country was headed in the wrong direction and he did not believe either presidential hopeful was fit for the job. Continue reading
Ronald Washington remembers a time when there were more jobs in his community. He says the streets need to be cleaned up and parks built.
When elected officials start addressing the concerns of citizens, he’ll participate in the political system. Continue reading
On Nov. 6, 2012, millions stood in line to vote in the presidential election, but Bradford wasn’t among them. She was likely at home working on a school assignment in her sparsely lit office, taking breaks to play with her pair of Shih Tzus. Continue reading
As campaign news filled the airwaves last fall, 18-year-old Sara Poe was busy in her dorm room at Truman State University writing poetry and listening to music or working on homework. What she wasn’t doing was watching or reading the news about the impending presidential election. Continue reading
Derek Thompson has been retired for about a year, but is getting restless. The 62-year-old former hairstylist and cosmetology instructor has hired an adviser, a former U.S. Senate aide, to help him figure out the first steps to getting involved in city government. Continue reading