Sandusky Avenue, a quiet street lined with bungalows in Kansas City, Kansas, had low voter turnout in the November 2023 municipal elections. Only 11 out of 337 eligible voters in the 4th Ward of the 2nd Precinct cast their ballots, with one resident citing lack of faith in the system as his reason for not participating. However, recent research has shown that non-voters are not necessarily ignorant or disengaged, but rather face various barriers that prevent them from voting. The Knight Foundation found that many chronic nonvoters lack information about elections. Esmerelda Zapata, a young resident, emphasized the importance of educating voters on candidates and their platforms in order to increase participation. Some residents, like Serina Chavez, feel overwhelmed by day-to-day responsibilities and don’t see the point in voting, citing issues like gun violence and rising prices as concerns. Despite the low turnout, there are still residents like Averial Jacobs who see voting as a privilege and a way to hold elected officials accountable. Overall, the reasons for low voter turnout in areas like Sandusky Avenue are complex and nuanced, highlighting the need for increased education and outreach to engage residents in the political process.
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Low Voter Turnout in a Specific Area of Kansas City, Kansas, Not Due to Apathy | KCUR
