How do elite democrats explain the high level of nonvoting in the United States? What assumptions do they make about the reasons why people choose to vote or not to vote? Compare and contrast this view with the explanation of popular democrats.

Elite Democrats often explain the high level of nonvoting in the United States by pointing to systemic barriers such as voter suppression, lack of access to polling places, and restrictive voting laws. They also emphasize the role of political apathy and disillusionment with the political system as contributing factors to nonvoting. Elite Democrats assume that people choose not to vote because they feel disenfranchised and believe that their vote will not make a difference. They also assume that certain demographics, such as low-income and minority communities, face greater obstacles to voting and are therefore more likely to abstain from participating in elections.

On the other hand, popular Democrats may offer a different explanation for nonvoting. They may argue that people choose not to vote because they feel disconnected from the political process and do not see candidates who represent their interests. Popular Democrats may also emphasize the impact of socioeconomic factors, such as lack of time off from work or childcare responsibilities, as reasons why people choose not to vote. They may also highlight the need for more inclusive and representative political candidates and policies to increase voter turnout.

In contrast, both elite and popular Democrats agree that increasing voter turnout requires addressing systemic barriers to voting and engaging with communities that have historically been marginalized from the political process. However, they may differ in their emphasis on the role of political disillusionment and the need for more representative candidates in addressing nonvoting.