Final answer:
Texas has low voter turnout due to strict voter ID laws, limited polling locations, hurdles in the voter registration system, a high number of elections leading to voter fatigue, and recent laws that reduce early voting and restrict voting efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factors that help explain why Texas has the nation’s lowest voter turnout include strict voter ID laws and limited polling locations. Strict voter ID laws often impact certain groups such as minorities and the elderly more than others, leading to a dampening in their turnout numbers. Also, measures such as the requirement of photo identification before voting, which followed the Supreme Court's Shelby v. Holder decision, can make it more challenging for individuals to vote.
Hurdles in voter registration systems and a high frequency of elections may contribute to voter fatigue, where the demands of multiple elections can lead to feelings of apathy or disengagement. Changes such as making it easier to register to vote, extending poll hours, or moving Election Day to the weekend have not shown a long-term increase in turnout. Additionally, institutional factors have a significant impact, with rules and laws posing potential barriers to voting. For instance, some states have recently enacted laws that reduce early voting and restrict get-out-the-vote efforts, which may contribute to lower voter turnout. In contrast, countries with automatic voter registration or compulsory voting tend to have higher turnout rates.