Increasing voter turnout would do little to make representation in
the American political system more equal. For instance, somewhat ironically,
abolishing majority-minority districts would reduce turnout by racial
minorities but would increase effective representation of minorities' policy
interests.
While many issues occasionally have major effects on American
electoral outcomes, economic and fiscal matters predominate. This fact
becomes especially clear when one takes into account not just voting but also
special interest activity and policy consequences.
Because opinion survey responses are sensitive to question wording,
survey measurements of public opinion are notoriously unstable and unreliable.
Opinion surveys therefore measure the public interest worse than do the
results of elections that have been preceded by vigorous campaigns.