Millions Won’t Vote. Campaigns Will Ignore Them Again | Opinion

Across the nation, political campaign staffs are preparing for the upcoming midterm elections, November 3. While candidates will celebrate their supporters or cry over tissues, nonpartisan organizations focused on expanding representation will analyze the impact of voter turnout. Unfortunately, many Americans reside in areas where campaigns rarely venture, making them overlooked and uncontacted.

These communities, often low-income, have historically low voting participation. As voter data becomes more refined, campaigns increasingly focus on likely voters, employing microtargeting to reach them. Consequently, communities without a tradition of voting are consistently ignored, leading to a cycle of low participation. Nonprofits engaged in nonpartisan voter engagement can play a crucial role in interrupting this cycle.

For example, among disabled individuals who didn't vote in 2024, 15.6 percent reported lack of assistance as the reason, and 16.4 percent faced voting difficulties. Rutgers estimated that 40.2 million Americans with disabilities were eligible to vote in 2024. Nonprofits can help these individuals navigate issues like obtaining required identification, overcoming language barriers, and accessing early voting or mail ballots.

Nonprofits have a unique advantage, as their work extends beyond the election period, providing ongoing assistance. Campaigns, while focused on winning elections, may overlook communities with limited voting history, which can further diminish their likelihood of being contacted in future elections. Therefore, nonprofits should be given more sustained attention and funding to help address these barriers, ensuring that overlooked communities are not left out in future elections.