Civics 101 Why are so many voters sitting out this week?
Nov 3, 2025
Luis Lozada, CEO of Democracy Works, sheds light on the troublingly low turnout in off-year elections and their significance in our daily lives. He highlights how voter frustration often masks as apathy, especially among young people. The conversation dives into the barriers that complicate voting in the U.S., from inconvenient election days to privacy concerns. Luis advocates for solutions like online registration and improved accessibility to make voting a welcoming experience. He underscores how local elections wield power over essential community services.
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A Host's First Absentee Ballot Experience
- Hannah McCarthy voted absentee because she'll be out of town and enjoyed the process.
- She even visited town hall and expressed genuine enthusiasm for civic spaces.
Apathy From Seeing No Tangible Change
- Young people often disengage because repeated elections feel like they don't change their lives.
- Luis Lozada argues this perceived lack of impact produces a different, more resigned form of apathy.
Local Elections Matter More Than You Think
- Local government decisions shape daily life more than national politics.
- Hannah McCarthy emphasizes town councils control schools, taxes, utilities, and appointments that directly affect residents.
