Final answer:
In non-presidential-election years, typically less than half of eligible American voters participate in congressional or local elections, unlike presidential election years where turnout is between 55% to 65%. Lower turnout in the U.S. contrasts with higher voter participation rates in nations where voting is legally mandated.
Step-by-step explanation:
When examining voter turnout in non-presidential-election years in the United States, it is evident that participation is notably lower compared to presidential elections. According to the U.S. Census, while around 55% to 65% of voting-age citizens vote in presidential elections, the turnout in congressional elections or local elections, which occur during non-presidential years, typically sees less than half of the eligible voters casting their ballots. This is in contrast to other countries where voter participation often reaches 75% to 80% in national elections.
Factors influencing this reduced turnout may include a lack of mandatory voting laws, unlike those found in countries such as Australia, Belgium, and Italy, among others. In addition, in the U.S., freedoms encompass both the right to vote and the right not to vote. This blend of choice and the absence of stringent legal requirements contribute to the varying voter turnouts observed in different election cycles.
It is also important to distinguish between the voting eligible population (VEP) and registered voters; the former includes all citizens of legal age to vote minus ineligible groups such as noncitizens or, in some states, convicted felons. The number of people who are registered to vote is lower than the total number of eligible voters, and the number that actually votes is even smaller. This trend suggests that multiple factors, ranging from political disengagement to dissatisfaction with candidates, influence an individual's decision to participate in the electoral process.