The 2024 US presidential election had been widely characterized as one of the most consequential political contests in recent US history. Although turnout was high for a presidential election – almost matching the levels of 2020 – it is estimated that close to 90 million Americans, roughly 36% of the eligible voting age population, did not vote. This number is greater than the number of people who voted for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.

More than a month on from polling day, eligible US voters from across the country as well as other parts of the world got in touch with the Guardian to share why they did not vote.

Scores of people said they had not turned out as they felt their vote would not matter because of the electoral college system, since they lived in a safely blue or red state. This included a number of people who nonetheless had voted in the 2020 and 2016 elections.

While various previous Democratic voters said they had abstained this time due to the Harris campaign’s stance on Israel or for other policy reasons, a number of people in this camp said they would have voted for the vice-president had they lived in a swing state.

  • Tygr@lemmy.world
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    17 hours ago

    I cannot in good conscience vote for the two party system anymore. A trillion dollars went into the coffers of both sides to market “old” to the people. That money wants returns and it often means Bill riders that make billionaires richer at the sacrifice of us.

    Until the people realize this and vote other parties instead of Democrat or Republican, I’m out.

    • JaggedRobotPubes@lemmy.world
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      11 hours ago

      If you’re serious about ending the terrible two party system (which is really one party and a cult), you’d vote for the one party, the democrats, and crack fucking skulls trying to get ranked choice or similar passed.

      https://youtu.be/s7tWHJfhiyo

      First past the post guarantees third parties can never exist, mathematically. Voting third party under first past the post is supporting the two party system.