Final answer:
Higher voter turnout rates in Belgium, Turkey, and Australia compared to the United States are mainly due to compulsory voting laws and automatic voter registration, while the U.S. system's barriers include separate voter registration procedures, frequent elections, and weekday voting without a national holiday.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons for Higher Voter Turnout in Belgium, Turkey, and Australia
Belgium, Turkey, and Australia have higher voter turnout rates than the United States due to a combination of compulsory voting laws and automatic voter registration. In Belgium and Turkey, citizens are required to vote in elections or face penalties, which significantly boosts their voter turnout. In contrast, the United States has neither compulsory voting nor universal automatic registration, creating barriers for some voters. Additionally, the U.S. has separate voter registration procedures and more frequent elections, leading to voter fatigue where multiple elections can make voters disengaged.
In countries like Sweden and Germany, automatic voter registration helps ensure a higher percentage of the population is ready to vote come election day. Ease of voting and the lack of an Election Day holiday also affect the turnout. Most U.S. elections are held on weekdays, unlike some countries that vote on weekends or on a designated holiday, making it easier for citizens to participate. Furthermore, institutional factors, such as the requirement to show photo identification in some U.S. states, also play a role in decreasing turnout.
By eliminating some of these barriers and adopting practices like compulsory voting and automatic registration, the United States could potentially increase its voter turnout to levels seen in these other democracies