Final answer:
Easier registration procedures could potentially increase voter turnout, as states with less stringent requirements tend to have higher turnout rates. Simplifying the voter registration process can lift barriers and enable more people to participate in elections, enhancing democratic engagement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Institutional factors, such as registration procedures, have a significant effect on voter turnout. If registration procedures were to be simplified, it could potentially increase turnout. Ease of voting is a known factor affecting turnout rates, and studies have shown that simpler registration systems result in higher numbers of registered voters, particularly among young citizens and those with lower incomes.
Specifically, states with less stringent or no registration requirements see larger turnout figures. This suggests that by removing or simplifying steps in the registration process, a barrier is lifted, enabling more people to participate in elections. The National Commission on Voting Rights found that state registration laws significantly impact voter turnout rates, emphasizing how crucial these institutional factors are.
Conversely, recent legislative changes in some states, including strict photo ID laws and cutting back early voting options, have been criticized for actually creating barriers to voting. The overarching goal for a healthy democracy should focus on strengthening the feeling of societal connectedness and ensuring that institutional processes facilitate, rather than hinder, voter engagement in elections.