Hello Friendly Helper Person. 1) Voting turnout has declined steadily over the past 30 years in the United States.

Hello Friendly Helper Person. I have 2 essay questions that I need help with.

1) Voting turnout has declined steadily over the past 30 years in the United States. The decision whether to turn out to vote or not is believed to be influenced by several different and sometimes contradictory forces. Discuss the different factors that have influenced trends in voter turnout in the United States over the last century. What difference do low turnout levels make for the U.S. political system?

Reading assigned for this part of the course. (response should reflect a little familiarity with the readings):

http://www.nonprofitvote.org/documents/2017/03/america-goes-polls-2016.pdf

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-voter-turnout-records-history-obama-clinton-2016-11

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/12/opinion/the-worst-voter-turnout-in-72-years.html

2) You have been asked by someone unfamiliar with the United States to explain how we elect our President. First, describe in detail how the Electoral College system works, including the "contingency" plan. Second, explain the consequences of the Electoral College system on politics in the United States.

Reading assigned for this part of the course.

http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/president

http://uselectionatlas.org/INFORMATION/INFORMATION/electcollege_procon.php

https://thenib.com/the-electoral-college-isn-t-working-here-s-how-it-might-die