Final answer:
To increase voter turnout, potential solutions include making Election Day a national holiday, implementing automatic voter registration, offering all-mail voting, and encouraging civic engagement through targeted outreach by organizations. Compulsory voting could also be considered to ensure higher participation rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing Voter Turnout in the United States
To increase voter turnout in the United States, several measures can be taken. Making Election Day a national holiday could significantly boost participation by giving people more time to vote without work or school commitments. Additionally, efforts such as automatic voter registration and all-mail voting could reduce administrative barriers. Organizations also play a crucial role; for example, Vote.org focuses on absentee and mail-in voting, while groups like Rock the Vote and National Council of La Raza target younger and minority voters, respectively, to increase their engagement in the electoral process. Lastly, instituting compulsory voting, as seen in some countries, could dramatically increase turnout. However, any effort must also consider and address new voting laws that potentially erect barriers to voting, such as strict photo ID requirements and proof of citizenship.
It's imperative to understand that facilitating voter turnout not only includes practical changes in the voting process but also involves fostering a greater sense of connectedness and responsibility among the citizenry. Measures to increase turnout should ensure that electoral policies represent the best interests of the entire population.