Final answer:
Local elections draw fewer voters than presidential elections due to issues such as voter fatigue, less media coverage, less controversy over the issues at hand, and various voter registration and election timing obstacles that lower voter turnout.
Step-by-step explanation:
Local elections generally draw fewer voters than presidential elections because they often receive less media coverage, involve issues that may seem less impactful or exciting to the electorate, and result from a phenomenon known as voter fatigue.
In comparing voter turnout, presidential elections usually see a 50-60% participation rate, whereas local elections can have as low as a 10-15% turnout among eligible voters. These elections may also conflict with the daily schedules of individuals, given that they are not held on a national holiday.
Furthermore, it is reported that some individuals believe that national elections are more about broader, more controversial topics, which might garner more interest from potential voters, especially young people. Meanwhile, local elections tend to deal with less dramatic issues such as infrastructure and community services. Voter registration rules also play a significant role in turnout, with areas offering same-day registration or automatic voter registration typically seeing higher participation rates.
Overall, variables such as election frequency, significance of issues on the ballot, media attention, and convenience of voting processes all influence turnout, leading to the stark difference between local and presidential election participation rates.