Voting: Some Procedural Changes and Informational Activities Could Increase Turnout

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO examined: (1) why voter turnout in the United States was low compared to other democracies; (2) why U.S. voter turnout has been declining since 1960; and (3) what election procedures and informational activities were associated with higher levels of voter participation.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter	Status	Comments
In the interest of increasing electoral participation, Congress may want to consider making voter registration more convenient. One way to do this would be to adopt a system of more nearly automatic registration such as that advanced by H.R. 2190 or S. 874, the National Voter Registration Act of 1989.	Closed – Implemented	Congress passed legislation mandating actions to make voter registration more convenient. The bill was signed in May 1993.
In seeking to increase electoral participation, Congress may want to explore the feasibility of using toll-free phone numbers by means of which the voter could: (1) request that an official absentee or mail ballot be sent to his or her legal residence; and (2) obtain registration information, including the intent to purge the voter from the registration rolls.	Closed – Not Implemented	The committee has not taken action.
In seeking to increase electoral participation, Congress may want to consider the feasibility of a demonstration project to determine the appropriateness of all-mail balloting for federal elections. The project would determine differences in turnout and cost, the likelihood of fraud or abuse, and the comparative degree of public satisfaction with respect to mail-ballot elections versus conventional polling-place elections.	Closed – Not Implemented	The committee has not taken action yet.
To increase electoral participation, Congress may want to consider the feasibility of encouraging the states to mail pamphlets explaining propositions and referendums to households of registered voters.	Closed – Not Implemented	The committee has not taken action yet.
To increase electoral participation, Congress may want to consider the feasibility of placing polling booths and other election materials in high school civics or other appropriate classes to allow mock elections to be conducted.	Closed – Not Implemented	The committee has not taken action yet.
To increase electoral participation, Congress may want to consider the feasibility of setting up a toll-free phone number or numbers in each state and the District of Columbia from which the voter could obtain registration information, including information concerning the intent to purge individual voters from the registration rolls.	Closed – Not Implemented	The committee has not taken action yet.

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