The 2024 US presidential election had been widely characterized as one of the most consequential political contests in recent US history. Although turnout was high for a presidential election – almost matching the levels of 2020 – it is estimated that close to 90 million Americans, roughly 36% of the eligible voting age population, did not vote. This number is greater than the number of people who voted for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
More than a month on from polling day, eligible US voters from across the country as well as other parts of the world got in touch with the Guardian to share why they did not vote.
Scores of people said they had not turned out as they felt their vote would not matter because of the electoral college system, since they lived in a safely blue or red state. This included a number of people who nonetheless had voted in the 2020 and 2016 elections.
While various previous Democratic voters said they had abstained this time due to the Harris campaign’s stance on Israel or for other policy reasons, a number of people in this camp said they would have voted for the vice-president had they lived in a swing state.
You’re part of the problem.
For future reference, when people stop answering this question it’s because they see it for the distraction that it is.
When that day comes, hopefully you can realize how far behind you are and work extra hard to catch up!
Nah, it’s likely because they’re in denial that not voting against Trump is what helped him get elected.
It’s funny when people think they’re solving the problem by doing nothing. If you think Trump is a problem, then by not voting against him, you are part of the problem.
Unless your district is so overwhelming Democrat that your vote wouldn’t matter, you helped elect Trump.