Student Scholar Symposium Abstracts and Posters

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Winter 11-30-2022

Faculty Advisor(s)

Dr. Ann Gordon

Abstract

This study is intended to explore the relevant relationship between mistrust in government officials and voter turnout. Within a research article such as this, it is important to distinguish the dependent and independent factors from one another so as not to get them confused. This article identifies the growing sense of mistrust that many Americans feel towards their government officials as the independent factor while examining the relationship that voter turnout has with that growing fear, therefore making that the dependent variable. While this issue has been studied in the past there have been many new events taking place and the fact of the matter is, the public’s distrust in its government is at an all-time high. According to the Chapman Survey of American Fears, the single thing Americans fear most is their potentially corrupt government. At a whopping 79.6% of people believing this, it is hard to not examine the issue further. With rampant election cycles and poorly handled pandemics right on the back burner of everyone’s conscience, voter turnout is at an all-time low. This research is incredibly important because of the fact that it has the potential to solve the long-standing issue of low voter turnout at the polls in America. By concluding with these two factors, the government should focus more on regaining Americans' trust than relying on voting campaigns and propaganda to get people to fill out their ballots.

Comments

Presented at the Fall 2022 Student Scholar Symposium at Chapman University.

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