Final answer:
One explanation for the decline in voter turnout is the demobilization hypothesis, which suggests that political parties are no longer trying to engage all voters and are instead focusing on specific demographics. This can give the impression that overall voter turnout is declining.
Step-by-step explanation:
One explanation for the decline in voter turnout is the theory that political parties are no longer attempting to mobilize the mass of voters and are too focused on targeting specific demographics.
This is known as the demobilization hypothesis. Instead of trying to engage all voters, parties might be focusing their efforts on attracting and mobilizing their core supporters.
For example, rather than spending resources on engaging the general population, parties might prioritize appealing to certain demographic groups, such as young voters or specific ethnic communities. This can lead to the perception that overall voter turnout is declining.
However, it's important to note that this explanation is just one theory among many. Other factors that might contribute to the decline in voter turnout include apathy, lack of trust in the political system, and barriers to access such as voter ID laws.