Final answer:
People may not vote due to a belief that their single vote won't make a difference, feeling alienated from the political process, difficulties in the voting process, and distrust in the political system's responsiveness.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several reasons why people do not vote, contributing to low voter turnout. Some individuals feel their vote won't have a significant impact, a concept known as rational ignorance, suggesting that the effort of becoming informed and voting is not worth it if one vote is unlikely to change the election outcome. Others don't vote because they believe the candidates are too similar or have a lack of trust in the government's responsiveness to their concerns. The feeling of alienation from the political process can also lead to non-participation. Additionally, practical obstacles such as inconvenient polling locations, restrictive registration laws, and the inconvenience of frequently occurring elections can discourage potential voters.
Candidates who focus on actively engaged groups can inadvertently alienate those with lower participation in the voting process, creating a cycle of disengagement and policy misalignment. Thus, both the perceived ineffectiveness of a single vote and real-world barriers contribute to why people decide against voting.