US presidential election

Will a 3000km Distance Sink US Election Turnout? Find Out!

Can a 3000km gap really affect the US presidential election turnout? Professor Benjamin Reilly sheds light!

The upcoming US presidential election is generating plenty of buzz, but there’s something looming in the distance—literally! Recent analyses suggest that a staggering 3000km could play a surprising role in influencing voter turnout. Non-resident senior fellow at the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre, Professor Benjamin Reilly, weighed in on this unique angle, examining how geographical distance can impact electoral participation.

Professor Reilly highlights that with millions of Australians keenly following the US election, enthusiasm is high, yet practical barriers for preventing qualified voters from casting their ballots could be enormous. It may sound trivial, but when you consider that some voters could be separated by vast stretches of ocean and land—from Sydney across to Los Angeles, for example—logistical issues inevitably come into play. Voters stuck in distant locations might find it difficult to travel back to exercise their rights.

Moreover, connection to a distant nation might lead to apathy in actually participating in elections. When one feels geographically and emotionally removed, such as from voters thousands of kilometres away, it can create a perception of disconnection with the political process. This psychology is as fascinating as a Sunday roast at a mate's house; you feel included when you’re sitting around the table, but if you're not there, it’s easy to feel left out.

So what does this mean for the election? As Professor Reilly argues, understanding these geographical dynamics is crucial for politicians who want to energise their bases abroad. Ultimately, whether you’re watching the election unfold from Bondi Beach or the world’s most remote outback, every vote—be it a few kilometers away or thousands—counts!

Did you know? Only about 60% of eligible voters in the United States cast their ballots in the last presidential election! This means that one in every two eligible citizens could potentially influence history just by voicing their opinion! Also, Australia has its own fascinating electoral history, where we tend to score among the highest in voter turnout, hovering around 90%. Now that’s a serious commitment to democracy!