Scott Rasmussen's Number of the Day for September 21, 2017
The Number of the Day columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
September 21, 2017: If they could have their student loan debt forgiven, 50% of millennials say they would give up their right to vote in the next two presidential elections.[1]
Credible, the financial services firm conducting the survey, called this result “staggering.” Young adults claim they are more willing to give up their right to vote than to give up ridesharing services or travel outside the U.S. They are twice as likely to give up voting rather than move back in with their parents. While half would give up voting, just 13% would give up texting or messaging.
Given the low levels of voter turnout for young adults, this result is not all that surprising. Rather than being “staggering,” these results show that young adults clearly recognize that voting is important, but “it is not as powerful a tool as the rhetoric claims.”[2]
In an influential book—Exit, Voice, and Loyalty—economist Albert Hirschman noted that people can exercise influence in more ways than voting. Specifically, they can use the power of exit (voting with their feet). But political scientists and politicians only want to talk about the power of the vote. In fact, the power to walk away “has often been branded as criminal, for it has been labeled desertion, defection, and treason.”[3] Hirschman rejects that description.
Politicians may want to ignore or demonize this form of empowerment, but it’s a core part of our national heritage. Hirschman reminds us that “the United States owes its very existence and growth to millions of decisions favoring exit over voice.”[3] It began with fleeing religious persecution in England. The power of the vote wasn’t enough for them. It has continued for centuries with people exiting oppression and seeking freedom.
Empowerment comes from freedom, not democracy.
Each weekday, Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day explores interesting and newsworthy topics at the intersection of culture, politics, and technology.
- September 20, 2017 – 1,597 bank branches closed by Bank of America since 2009
- September 19, 2017 – 60 percent of second-generation Mexican immigrants describe themselves as typical Americans
- September 18, 2017 – 64 percent of Americans have positive view of police
- September 15, 2017 – 37 percent of Americans can’t name First Amendment rights
- September 14, 2017 – 956,597 cruise industry jobs serving 26 million passengers
- To see other recent numbers, check out the archive.
Scott Rasmussen’s Number of the Day is published by Ballotpedia weekdays at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. Click here to check out the latest update.
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Columns published on Ballotpedia reflect the views of the author.
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See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Credible, "Survey Reveals What Millennials Would Rather Deal With Than Paying Student Loans," September 13, 2017
- ↑ Rasmussen, S. (2017). Politics Has Failed: America Will Not. Salt Lake City, UT: Sutherland Institute.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hirschman, A. (1970). Exit, Voice, and Loyalty: Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States. Harvard University Press.
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